Caxton Magazines
Spacing cabbages for the correct size
I'm often asked what the correct spacing should be when planting cabbages, as though there was only one answer. There's more to spacing than just setting out dimensions.
When state help worked
I've been going on recently about the Ministerial Interim Committee Report (MICR) on restructuring fresh-produce markets. I've not been too complimentary, because I see the whole thing as a political document with a political agenda. Readers will know that I don't believe politics and the boardroom can mix.
‘Two’ good to be true
South African maize producers are too efficient for their own good!
How banana flour is helping Ugandan farmers
A presidential pilot project in Uganda is using value-adding to exploit a massive banana surplus, producing banana flour with biofuel as a byproduct. Robyn Joubert reports.
Africa is turning into a farmers’ market
Christo Wiese believes Africa has huge agricultural potential, but its people will need to move with this evolution. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Spray herbicides more effectively
To apply herbicides and combat weeds efficiently, crop farmers must select, maintain and manage their sprayers and nozzles with care. Grant Orsmond of TeeJet Technologies spoke to Lloyd Phillips on how to get the most out of your spraying equipment.
Erosion, the cancer of agriculture
Soil erosion is a major problem in South Africa, and with few monitoring structures, land degradation is a threat to food security and sustainable development. Lehman Lindeque, president of the International Erosion Control Association Southern Africa (IECA-SA), spoke to Denene Erasmus about the erosion problem.
Play the game
Like any business, farming is a game. To win, you have to adapt to meet changing circumstances. You also have to help other players - at least those who show promise and a willingness to succeed - or one day there might be no game to play, says strategist, writer and public speaker, Clem Sunter.
Farm attackers after money and firearms
Farm attacks in the Free State flared up during THE past month with five attacks in the eastern Free State and two attacks in the Wesselsbron district.
Land reform needs public/private partnerships
Partnerships between public and private business together with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) is the new way government hopes to create a sustainable model for emerging farmers.
Crucial that farmers hold onto shares as Clover lists
Clover has announced plans to list on the Johannesburg stock Exchange(JSE) to raise funds for expansion.
Fresh produce fund owe farmers millions
For decades farmers have supplied the country's municipal markets with produce in the belief that their money was guaranteed by the Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC) fidelity fund, which is sustained by levies paid by the fresh produce agencies.
Hunger season starts in Namibia
At least 42 000 Namibians will require food aid from government, local authorities have announced. This includes the very poor in the Caprivi lowland maize area and cattle livelihood zone, who are in dire straits.
DA puts maize back into the biofuel debate
The DA has asked for the ban to be lifted on the use of maize as a biofuel feedstock. This is after parliament approved the Industrial Policy Action Plan 2 (IPAP 2), of which agro-processing is one of the core investment clusters.
Meaty dilemmas
The global "Meat Free Monday" campaign,launched in South Africa in September, encourages people to give up eating meat, fish or chicken one day a week, in a bid to reduce livestock greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
North West veld fires suspected to be arson
A significant percentage of the veld fires affecting over 50 000ha in the North West were caused by arson this year, according to Agri North West CEO Boeta du Toit.
Extension services to commercial farmers in ruins
While the KZN Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development hails its extension recovery programme a huge success, there's been a virtual collapse of extension services to the commercial farming sector, reports Robyn Joubert.
Zuma uses farming to uplift his home community
Christmas came early for many poor residents of KZN's rural Nkandla and Mlalazi communities thanks to the influence of President Jacob Zuma.
ABC on what Wal-Mart bid means for producers
The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores, has made a US,25 billion (R29,2 billion) bid for South Africa-based Massmart, a regional management group with large-scale wholesale and retail interests.
No more landownership for black farmers
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR's) decision to remove the option to buy from the standard lease contract between the state and land-reform beneficiaries has sparked concern within agricultural circles.
