Lindi Botha
Lindi Botha is an agricultural journalist and communications specialist based in Nelspruit, South Africa. She has spent over a decade reporting on food production and has a special interest in research, new innovations and technology that aid farmers in increasing their margins, while reducing their environmental footprint. She has garnered numerous awards during her career, including The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Star Prize in 2019, the IFAJ-Alltech International Award for Leadership in Agricultural Journalism in 2020, and several South African awards for her writing.
How smarter breeding is reshaping tomorrow’s crops
From crops that can better withstand extreme weather to varieties that stay fresher for longer or require fewer inputs, plant breeding is undergoing a technological revolution. Advanced sensors, big data, and precision gene editing are giving breeders powerful new tools to develop the next generation of crops.
Anton Pelser: bringing youthful energy to innovation
In a world of decreasing farm margins, every hectare, every input, and every rand invested must earn its place. This is the philosophy that guides Anton Pelser, the Agri Mpumalanga Young Farmer of the Year 2026. He spoke to Lindi Botha about the data, discipline, and long-term thinking that guides every decision.
Why electric tractors aren’t yet viable for SA farmers
Electric tractors are often promoted as the future of farming, promising lower emissions and reduced fuel costs. But while the technology continues to advance abroad, industry experts say the economics simply don’t add up for South African farmers.
Peanut butter tariff evens the odds for local industry
South Africa’s groundnut industry has been handed a fighting chance to rebuild local production and processing after government corrected a tariff imbalance that had placed locally manufactured peanut butter at a significant disadvantage to imports.
Are South Africa’s soya bean yields finally catching up?
At an average of 2,5t/ha, South Africa’s soya bean yields lag behind those of major producers like the US, at 4t/ha, and Brazil, at 3,2t/ha, partly due to limited access to genetics. But record yields in this year’s Grain SA Grow for Gold National Yield Competition suggest significant room for further gains.
Moratorium brings end to automatic culling of FMD-positive buffalo
South Africa’s disease-free buffalo that test positive for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) antibodies will no longer face automatic destruction, following an intervention by Wildlife Ranching South Africa.
Field crops face leaner years as margins tighten
Low commodity prices, high input costs, and mounting weather risks are squeezing South African grain farmers’ profitability, while sluggish domestic demand means the industry will increasingly need to look to productivity gains, exports, and new markets to grow.
Dragon fruit industry consolidates, but future looks bright
South Africa’s dragon fruit industry has had a challenging season, resulting in many farmers exiting the industry. Farmers in Mpumalanga and the Western Cape have been grappling with wet weather, while those in the Eastern Cape have experienced overly dry and warm conditions.
How AI is shortening the path to better crop protection
Developing a new crop protection product typically takes more than a decade, by which time the target pest or disease may have evolved. Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping researchers identify promising compounds faster, optimise them, and focus field testing where it matters, shortening the journey from laboratory to farm.
The performance thief: gut health determines pig productivity
Many of the factors that limit pig growth and feed efficiency begin in the gut long before visible disease appears. Understanding how gut health affects nutrient utilisation can help producers unlock better performance and avoid costly hidden losses.
Irrigation investment shifts as costs and water risks rise
Rising electricity costs, growing competition for water, and concerns about water quality are changing the way farmers approach irrigation investment, with efficiency and system performance becoming increasingly important.
Blueberry season in SA: bumper north, uncertain Western Cape
Blueberry season is off to a good start in South Africa’s northern production regions, with growers in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West expecting good returns from strong yields, high-quality fruit, and favourable export prices. In the Western Cape, however, the outlook is less certain.
More than space: designing pig housing systems for the future
As South Africa’s pig industry prepares for the transition away from gestation crates, producers will need to rethink far more than floor space. Research shows that the success of group housing depends on how housing design, feeding systems, ventilation, stocking density and day-to-day management work together to support both welfare and productivity.
Keeping the fruit industry’s collective voice strong
For Fruit South Africa CEO Fhumulani Ratshitanga, leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about listening carefully enough to bring different voices together. She spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the experiences that’ve shaped her leadership, and why trust is the foundation of progress.
Demand-led logistics could cut potato market inefficiencies
Better demand planning, greater transport visibility, and fewer intermediaries could reduce costs and inefficiencies in South Africa’s potato value chain, panellists said at the Potatoes SA Congress, held in Johannesburg, Gauteng, on 22 and 23 July.
Potato industry urged to win over younger, online consumers
South Africa’s potato industry needs to adapt its marketing, pricing, and product offering if it wants to remain relevant to younger, time-poor, and increasingly value-conscious consumers.
Preparation and excellence take centre stage at PSA Congress
South Africa's potato industry gathered in Johannesburg on 22 and 23 July for the Potatoes SA (PSA) Congress, where producers, researchers, and stakeholders discussed key issues affecting the industry. Gala functions held on both evenings recognised outstanding achievements with the annual PSA awards.
Technology can’t replace farmer judgement
Technology can sharpen decision-making on farms, but it can’t replace the experience, judgement, and practical knowledge of farmers and their teams, panellists said at the Potatoes SA congress held in Johannesburg, Gauteng, on 22 and 23 July.
Buying a drone? Focus on the specs that matter
Choosing an agricultural drone is about more than buying the fastest machine or the biggest tank. Matching a drone’s specifications to your farming operation can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and maximise returns. AgTech@NWK’s Zane Barnard explains what farmers should consider before buying.
Biologicals no longer a niche as pest pressures grow
Biological crop protection products are gaining ground as pest resistance mounts, export markets tighten residue requirements, and climate change reshapes pest pressure. The sector appears to have reached a turning point as multinational crop protection companies are increasingly investing in biological solutions alongside conventional chemistry.
