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.
Surviving the troughs of the blueberry market
Three years ago, few would have foreseen that blueberry prices would plunge by more than 50%, forcing many investors to the brink of collapse. Berry farmer Luan Swart of Mpumalanga explained his strategies for weathering the storm to Lindi Botha.
Ginger prices drop to a tenth of COVID-19 highs
Retail prices for ginger have sunk as low as R30/kg as ample rains have diminished quality and larger volumes flow into the market.
Greater focus on gene sequencing needed to boost agriculture
Advances in gene sequencing are uncovering a wealth of information that will have far-reaching consequences for stable, ongoing food production.
Food supply vulnerable to cyber crime
Agriculture’s vulnerability to cyber-attacks was highlighted at the Africa Agri Tech conference in Pretoria this week. Billy Petzer, researcher of cyber security systems at the CSIR said, if risks were not mitigated, food supply could be heavily impacted.
‘Africa must invest more in agriculture’
Rising costs of food and energy, and their impact on food security and the climate, featured widely at this year’s World Economic Forum conference in Davos, Switzerland.
Farmers get some reprieve from Budget 2023
The annual budget delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in Parliament on Wednesday, 22 February, delivered some relief for those farmers struggling under the burden of load-shedding and rising input costs.
Food prices continue to rise despite a lower CPI
The consumer price inflation (CPI) index may have decreased so far this year, but consumers still face significant food costs.
Transnet dumps blueberry industry in deep water
South Africa’s blueberry season has come to a close, and it is one that many farmers would prefer to forget, with the negative repercussions expected to be felt for years to come as many face financial ruin.
Increasing the production of pulses will benefit people and planet
Hunger, poverty, soil degradation, and climate change: few crops can boast the ability to solve all of these challenges.
Rolling blackouts derail poultry progress
Poultry farmers are operating at a R2/kg loss due to the effects of rolling blackouts and high feed costs, according to Chris Schutte, CEO of Astral Foods.
Shrinking populations could hurt SA’s agri exports
Population decline in South Africa’s biggest agricultural export markets is cause for concern, and young farmers should think carefully about which crops to grow in the future.
A shorter growth cycle for higher lettuce profits
Lettuce is beholden to an inconsistent market, with demand often dependent on the weather. Sustainable production therefore requires careful management of supply and demand. Equally important, as farmer
Jakkie Mellet explained to Lindi Botha, is a shorter, more productive, growth cycle.
Macadamia farmers in for a four-year struggle
Trends in macadamia nut farming margins are showing a downward spiral of lower yields, lower prices and higher input costs. But with good management, farmers should be able to weather the storm.
Tractor sales set to moderate after highs in 2022
Sales of agricultural machinery are not expected to reach the record highs of 2022 this year, as inflation rates and high input costs weigh on farmers.
South Africa’s sheep farmers under pressure
South Africa’s sheep industry has continued to decline due to the effects of devastating drought in some parts of the country, as well as lower prices in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Avocado farmers prove the value of ridging
Limpopo farmers Kosie and Manie Eloff, faced with the need to re-establish their avocado orchards, decided to conduct a multiyear experiment comparing the yields of trees planted on ridged and level soil surfaces. They discussed their methods and results with Lindi Botha.
Small-scale and subsistence farmers: ‘The backbone of India’s mega dairy industry’
In a move that is being called production by the masses rather than mass production, India has successfully mobilised 100 million subsistence and small-scale dairy farmers to make that country the world’s largest milk producer. Lindi Botha visited India to see how this remarkable feat has been achieved.
A guide to optimising blueberry production
Blueberries are a challenging crop to cultivate, as the plants don’t readily absorb key nutrients, and the berries can therefore vary in flavour, quality and size. With an increasingly picky market, farmers need to optimise plant nutrition to obtain a consistent crop that commands high prices. Lindi Botha spoke to Dr David Marks.
Great pork, good profits – thanks to top genetics
Growing demand for lean pork and a more muscled carcass, plus the need to run an efficient, productive operation, have put ever-greater pressure on pig farmers. Superior genetics remain the surest route to success. Lindi Botha reports on how the Benson piggery in KwaZulu-Natal has progressed in this respect.
Beef production: achieving a top herd through careful veld management
Father-and-son team Robert and Sanele Khumalo constantly strive to maximise carcass weight in their commercial beef production enterprise. But with heavy recent rains and ever more unpredictable weather patterns, this requires careful and ongoing management of grazing and herd health.
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