Farming for Tomorrow

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.

BirdLife South Africa explains why private landowners’ co-operation can be extremely helpful and is actually essential for the protection of biodiversity.

Global green hydrogen demand is set to increase sevenfold by 2050. With South Africa possessing all the ingredients to make and export hydrogen, the country could become a major world player, with benefits even extending to farmers.

Wits University PhD candidate Azraa Ebrahim tells Farmer’s Weekly of her research on puff adder thermal biology and space use, and dispels some of the fears that people have of these fascinating creatures.

A Feedlot Information Day at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Convention Centre in Pretoria saw industry experts, including farmers, nutritionists and veterinarians, gather to discuss meat production in South Africa. Magda du Toit reports.

It takes more than just planting some seeds in the veld to restore subtropical thicket that has been degraded by erosion, overgrazing and bush clearing. Marion Whitehead reports on a project designed by the Rhodes Restoration Research Group that has yielded valuable new insights into the process.

To make the best of their land and remain financially viable, farmers need to know the potential of their soil. Karabo Puswe, agricultural specialist at FarmSol, explains how this knowledge is gained.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault’s purpose is to ensure that humankind can continue producing a diversity of food crops, even in the case of a ‘Doomsday Event’.

A 10-year study conducted in Kruger National Park by scientists from South African National Parks, Stellenbosch University and Harvard University has shown that high-density fires do not have a long-term effect on the scourge of bush encroachment.

The race to net-zero carbon emissions has implications for agriculture and food security. Whether the outcome will be positive or negative for society, the environment and farmers, depends largely on how government formulates emissions policies. Lindi Botha reports on why agriculture’s role should not be underestimated.

Viktor Sukau, CSO of natural fertiliser manufacturer Manaseer Natural Green, and Anton Prysiazhniuk, the company’s CEO, spoke to Janine Ryan about the deleterious effects of synthetic fertilisers on the environment and why farmers worldwide need to shift to more organic and sustainable products.

Arnold du Preez, owner of Snail and Slug Solutions, warns that the surge in slug and snail populations will prove a major threat to agriculture unless farmers tackle the problem proactively.

Producing a variety of crops and livestock has enabled Tabby Robertshaw and her partner to realise their dream of homesteading. She spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the hard work they have put into the venture.

Edible insects can help feed the populations of developing countries, says Ntokozo Blessing Zitha, an agricultural economist involved with the Agricultural Research’s Council Professional Development Programme.

A study was recently conducted in China to identify the resistance levels of cherry cultivars in that country, and offers useful information for farmers in all cherry-growing regions.

Noluthando Ngcobo and Mamakie Lungwana, intern agricultural economists at the Agricultural Research Council, explore the challenges that women face in the South African livestock value chain.

US farmer and author Joel Salatin was invited by the Permaculture Institute for Southern Africa to visit South Africa and share some of his conservation farming knowledge with local farmers.

Jan Coetzee, land programme manager at the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa, explains how one man’s vision changed the trajectory of conservation in the Succulent Karoo.