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.
‘Pesticide-reduction laws will increase resistance’
The global streamlining of chemicals allowed on food products will render many crop-protection chemicals illegal by 1 June 2024, heightening risk for farmers already battling pests.
Another sugar mill enters business rescue
Gledhow sugar mill has become the second mill to be placed under business rescue, thereby increasing concerns over the future viability of the sugar cane production industry in South Africa.
African horse sickness cases reportedly rising amid vaccine shortage
African horse sickness (AHS) cases are increasing in Gauteng while vaccines have been unavailable since last year, according to reports. Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), which is responsible for manufacturing the vaccines, has allegedly been without stock for several months.
‘Communal land reform lacks tenure security’
Industry stakeholders have expressed concern over the lack of tenure security provided for in a new bill on communal land.
Macadamia prices continue to fall amid oversupply
South Africa is set to deliver another bumper crop of macadamia nuts this year, surpassing last year’s total yield of 68 840t dry-nut-in-shell at 1,5% moisture, to reach nearly 78 000t.
Astute marketing drives avocado consumption
South Africa’s avocado industry has attained the holy grail in marketing for a non-essential product: getting consumers to feel they need it rather just want it. The resulting sales growth has boosted the industry despite recent economic and supply constraints. Glynnis Branthwaite, owner of Protactic Strategic Communications, and Derek Donkin, CEO of Subtrop, spoke to Lindi Botha about this intensive and ongoing marketing effort.
Second grain crop estimate points to favourable season
The latest grain crop estimate released by the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) shows an increase in yields for most grain crops in South Africa, alleviating fears that erratic weather would have curtailed the harvest. This means South Africa will have sufficient staple food supplies in the 2023/24 marketing year.
‘Net zero isn’t feasible for agriculture sector’
Red meat production has once again come under fire, this time in a study detailing a pathway for South Africa to achieve its goal of achieving net-zero carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 2050.
No clarity yet on names for alternative proteins
The lack of regulations over terminology for alternative protein products is causing confusion about food labels worldwide and has already led to several court cases in South Africa.
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.
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