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.
Farmers cannot carry regenerative agriculture costs alone
Farmers could not be expected to shoulder the financial risk of transitioning to regenerative agriculture regenerative agriculture on their own, with financiers, retailers, and technical partners needing to help make the shift commercially viable.
Farmers urged to chase profit, not tons
Farmers need to shift their focus from maximising production to maximising profit as tightening margins leave increasingly little room for financial inefficiency, according to Dawie Maree, head of FNB Agriculture.
Nampo Cape builds momentum as farm pressures mount
Nampo Cape continued to prove its value as a meeting place for agriculture on Friday, as industry leaders grappled with mounting pressure on commodity prices, government support for emerging farmers and the challenges facing food production.
Voters urged to put delivery before party loyalty to protect rural economies
South Africa’s municipalities needed to be judged on their ability to deliver basic services rather than political promises, as failing towns increasingly threatened the communities and businesses that depended on them.
Wheat industry ‘heading for tragedy’ without urgent reform
South Africa’s wheat industry was heading towards a tragedy unless long-standing structural problems were urgently addressed, with producers warning that it should not have taken a crisis to force reform.
Worst El Niño yet? SA agriculture enters from strong base
Farmers can no longer rely on historical patterns to guide decisions in an increasingly unpredictable agricultural environment, making access to timely market, weather and geopolitical information more important than ever.
‘Agriculture’s tiny budget shows where government’s priorities lie’
During a recent panel discussion on the Land Bank’s role in financing agriculture held at Nampo Cape 2026, panellists warned that inadequate funding and support for agriculture were undermining efforts to develop new farmers and grow the sector.
Plunging prices leave little to celebrate on World Macadamia Day
Friday, 4 September, marks World Macadamia Day, but the industry has little to celebrate this year. Growing global volumes have yet to be matched by demand, leading to price decreases and uncertainty over when nuts will be sold.
RCL’s revenue drops 4,1% as consumer demand continues to decline
Pressure on cash-strapped consumers and mounting challenges in agricultural markets converged in RCL Foods’ (RCL) latest results, contributing to a sharp decline in earnings for the year ended June 2026.
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.
