Jeandré van der Walt
Jeandré Du Preez is the newest addition to the Farmer’s Weekly team. Originating from a Riversdal farming family, she has farming in her blood. After school she furthered her studies at Stellenbosch and has been working as an agricultural journalist for the past two years.
She says she feels privileged to write about an industry paramount to the survival of all South Africans and is inspired by the innovative solutions with which the farming community bridges the many challenges they face. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments.
She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments.
If she is not writing or visiting farms, you’ll find her relaxing with a good mystery novel or exploring her other passions: travelling and cooking.
SA to harvest its largest table grape crop on record
Despite a challenging season, it is expected that the South African Table Grape Industry’s (SATI) crop estimate will be exceeded by more than two million cartons, making it the largest crop on record.
Poor performance of former land department under scrutiny
The poor performance of the former Department of Land Reform and Rural Development came under scrutiny during a recent Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development meeting.
New Western Cape rural safety desk to combat crime
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has established a rural safety desk as part of the province’s economic recovery plan.
Expropriation won’t speed up land reform – Agri SA
Farmers cannot be held solely responsible for historical events that resulted in the dispossession of land, Annelize Crosby, head of land affairs at Agri SA, told a parliamentary committee on Wednesday, 24 March.
Government’s R1 billion funding boost for black farmers
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (agriculture department) has announced the launch of a R1 billion fund for black farmers in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
One agripreneur, two enterprises. Success despite the odds!
When the COVID-19 lockdown forced Ncumisa Mkabile to shut down her catering business, she put her entrepreneurial spirit to the test by starting two small-scale farming businesses on a piece of land in Khayelitsha.
Agriculture the ‘shining star’ of SA’s economy – Stats SA
In 2020, the South African economy recorded its most significant decline in annual economic activity since 1946.
Outdated equipment hinders farmers’ fight against locusts
Farmers in the Murraysburg district in the Western Cape are currently experiencing the most extensive outbreak of locusts in the area since February last year, covering an area of 10km by 20km, and spanning four farms.
Budget 2021: ‘Government scraping the bottom of the fiscal barrel’
While the agriculture sector received a fair amount of attention in this year’s budget speech, which was recently tabled in Parliament by Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni, there was concern about government’s commitment to wealth creation.
Electricity price hike: another blow for farmers
Eskom recently announced an electricity tariff hike of nearly 16% that will be implemented in April. This announcement, along with the recent increase in the minimum wage of farmworkers and possible fuel increases, would put many producers under increasing pressure.
Turning food waste into three million meals
Small beginnings can lay the foundation of great success. This holds true for SA Harvest, a food rescue and distribution organisation. Ali Conn, regional manager at SA Harvest, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about the organisation’s journey over the past year and its future plans.
Ramaphosa singles out agri achievements during SONA
The remarkable work of the agriculture sector amidst the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic was acknowledged during this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Widespread rain improves dam levels across South Africa
Widespread rain over the past few weeks have significantly pushed up dam levels across the country, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). The national average level of South Africa’s dams was at 85,4% of capacity compared with 61,8% for the corresponding period in 2020.
Ramaphosa must give clarity on expropriation – agri leaders
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at 19:00 on 11 February. The annual address kicks off the Parliamentary year and focuses on the economic and political state of the country.
Nampo 2021 postponed to August
Nampo Harvest Day 2021 has officially been postponed to August. The event was initially supposed to be held from 11 to 14 May, but was now scheduled to take place on 17 to 20 August at Nampo Park in Bothaville.
Seven retailers identified for ginger, garlic price gouging
Skyrocketing garlic and ginger prices prompted the National Consumer Commission (NCC) to launch an investigation into allegations of price gouging.
Cost of diesel expected to continue rising throughout 2021
After starting the year with fuel price increases of more than 40c/ℓ for petrol and 55c/ℓ for diesel, the Automobile Association (AA) indicated that it expected the petrol price for both grades to increase sharply by more than 80c/ℓ in February.
Wine farmers go to court in a bid to overturn liquor ban
South Africa’s wine industry is finally heading to court over the third liquor ban that was compounding financial losses already suffered by wine farms, retailers and related businesses during previous COVID-19 lockdown related bans on the sale of alcoholic drinks.
South African wine exports triumph in difficult year
In a year that will probably go down in history as one of the most challenging years ever for the South African wine industry, wine exports managed to increase 7,7% in value, according to Wines of South Africa.
Apricot canning industry recovers after difficult period
After three difficult years, the 2020/2021 Bulida apricot crop was an example of how quickly nature can recover due to favourable conditions.
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