Janine Ryan
I am the editor of agricultural magazine Farmer’s Weekly, South Africa's oldest magazine. Farmer's Weekly focuses on providing role players in the agriculture sector with news and information to help them grow their enterprises.
Black land ownership could be over 30% already
A lack of definitive data on progress in government’s land restitution programme has made calculating land transfers from white to black farmers a guessing game.
Farmworkers air grievances at national summit
Over 1 100 farm, forestry and fisheries workers from all nine provinces recently attended the National Summit on Vulnerable Workers in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Somerset West.
Throwaway quotes damage agriculture & investment
A strategic plan by the department of Rural Development and Land Reform for 2010 to 2013, mooting a form of land nationalisation and a change to the constitution, has been discounted by major agricultural organisations as a minority notion.
Dunlop back on his feet
Muden emerging farmer, Dunlop Lembethe has been through the wringer. Shortly after a R100 000 irrigation system was installed for him, a hailstorm in November 2009 wiped out his ripening cabbage and tomato crops.
Unanswered questions about single food audit
The Consumer Goods Council of SA (CGCSA) has been accused of “railroading” through a process that could see a single food safety audit/inspection implemented on 1 October.
Don’t weaken the rand, warn economists
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has opened the debate on whether or not to introduce measures to weaken the rand, which strengthened 28% against the dollar last year and is the second-best performer of 16 major currencies tracked by Bloomberg.
New landownership rules on the cards
Government is planning a major overhaul of property ownership rights in South Africa that will be outlined in a new Green Paper on land reform to be tabled in April, Rural Development and Land Reform minister Gugile Nkwinti told parliament in his budget vote speech.
Brandy and mushroom risotto
There are two really big deals here, the arboria rice and the brandy. Arboria rice is essential for this dish because of its flavour, aroma, and most importantly, its stickiness.
Tax now also on bakkies
National Treasury denied a request by the local automotive industry to exempt double-cabs and small bakkies from a new carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions tax that is to be implemented on 1 September.
How to oppose a mining application
Farmers are becoming aware of how little say they may have about mining activities taking place in close proximity to them or even on their own land, and the extent to which the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) may affect them.
Zimbabwe farmers pin hope on next election
Local members and foreign delegates deemed Zimbabwe’s Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) Congress in August a success.
Mining drives new Africa farming boom
Mining appears to be the latest driving force behind invitations to South African farmers to establish large commercial agriculture operations elsewhere in Africa.
Withdrawal of millers from chamber ‘puts free-market system at risk’
Two of South Africa’s milling giants,Pioneer Foods and Premier Foods, as well as Pride Milling and Godrich Flour Mills, have quit their membership of the National Chamber of Milling and are no longer required to submit sales information to the chamber.
What it would take to change the constitution’s property clause
Threats of nationalising productive land have lead to concerns in the agricultural industry. But at present, Section 25 of the constitution guarantees the property rights of all.
Africa expected to play vital role in brewery merger
According to Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB Inbev), the world largest brewer, its takeover of SABMiller will create a truly global brewery business in which Africa will play a vital role.
Joburg auctions off unique cattle genes
The Johannesburg city council will Auctionoff the large Bovelder cattle herd that it has kept on Northern Farm, Diepsloot, Gauteng, for 40 years.
Agricultural markets will remain volatile
High price volatility is ongoing in agricultural markets, but recent price fluctuations don’t necessarily show it has increased, said Dr Holger Matthey of the trade and markets division of the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation at the Western Cape launch of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) Baseline 2010 report.
Limpopo coal rush continues
Another big firm has set its sights on the coal fields in the Lephalale/Steenbokpan area, with Digby Wells & Associates initiating a public participation process to talk to interested and concerned parties affected by the Boikarabelo Project and the Boikarabelo Extension Project.
Land Bank stable despite 13% profit slump
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan praised Land Bank CEO Phakamani Hadebe and chairperson Dr Ben Ngubane for “turning around an important institution and setting it on a new and exciting strategic path”, even though the Land Bank’s operating profit fell 13% to R192 million.
RVF fears flare up
Colder winter weather has slowed down Rift Valley fever (RVF), but outbreaks could start again in early summer, warned veterinarian Jannie van der Merwe at the Western Cape Milk Producers’ Organisation’s annual meeting in Malmesbury.
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