Farming for Tomorrow

Namibia is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years. Annelie Coleman spoke to several farmers in the Mariental district, who shared their experience of the impact of several rainless years.

A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the University of the Western Cape recently hosted an inaugural research symposium with the theme ‘Healing through food’. Dr Reckson Mulidzi, manager of the soil and water science research team at the ARC, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the event and the partnership.

Bee-Tech Group is transforming South African agriculture with pollination technologies that boost crop yields and enhance sustainability. Founder Michiel Bruggeman spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel.

By building soil carbon levels, farmers can improve the resilience of their crops, reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertiliser, and buffer their crops against extreme weather.

Grassland restoration is crucial for ecosystem health. Frits van Oudtshoorn, a pasture consultant and agricultural/environmental trainer, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about effective methods, key challenges, and the role of native plants and proper grazing management in successful restoration projects.

A movement strengthening relationships between communities and the land and promoting a mutually beneficial relationship between agriculture, health and the environment is emerging in sustainable farming. Ntokozo Zitha, a PhD student in the Economics Analysis Unit at the Agricultural Research Council, writes.

Dr Louis du Pisani shed light on why biodiversity is important, and its impact on soil, plant and animal health at the World Veterinary Association Congress held in Cape Town.

The digitisation of agriculture is a game-changer for overcoming traditional challenges and achieving sustainable practices. By leveraging data and digital tools, farmers gain real-time insights into their livestock, allowing for optimised resource use.

Natashia Qwabe, a research assistant at the Agricultural Research Council, writes about the shifting patterns of agricultural production due to climate change.

Patrick Rakau, a junior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council’s Animal Production Institute: Range and Forage Sciences, explains the importance of breeding new climate-smart and improved teff varieties for both human food and animal feed in South Africa.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, goes the saying about the role of diet in overall health. New research however suggests that good health is less about the quantity of produce we ingest, and more about quality. Soil health makes all the difference in growing food that fills versus food that nourishes.