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.
Vertical farming searches for sustainable growth after hype fades
Rolling bankruptcies in global vertical farming over the past five years have slowed the industry’s momentum but not its innovation. Instead, the collapse of several high-profile players has pushed operators and investors to shift focus from hype to viable economics.
Agri matrics celebrate high pass rates
Interest in agricultural careers among high school learners continues to grow. Several school principals spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the matric results at their schools, indicating that pupils are increasingly looking to the agriculture sector for their future.
Flood risk looms as Mpumalanga braces for up to 800mm of rain
Catastrophic floods are predicted for the Mpumalanga Lowveld next week, with rainfall of between 500mm and 800mm forecast for the period from 9 to 14 January.
Resilience and gradual recovery expected in 2026
Prospects for a positive 2026 are improving as lower input costs are expected for the agriculture sector and bumper grain crops seem likely. Loffie Brandt, head of sales enablement at Absa AgriBusiness, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about how farmers can take advantage of opportunities in the new year.
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FNB signals optimism for the year ahead
While the agriculture sector faced significant headwinds in 2025, the year has ended on a strong note. Dawie Maree, head of agriculture information and marketing at FNB, talks about navigating challenges and opportunities in 2026.
Balancing welfare and viability in cage-free egg farming
The trend towards cage-free eggs presents an opportunity for farmers to tap into a valuable niche market. But with higher production costs and limited scope for market growth, the business requires a delicate balance to remain viable.
Farm watches take charge of rural safety
With rural crime on the rise and police resources stretched thin, farm watches across South Africa are stepping up to protect farming communities. These volunteer-led safety networks are preventing millions in losses, deterring criminal activity and helping police solve major crimes, proving that when farmers unite, the benefits ripple far beyond the farm gate.
Little joy for fresh produce farmers this festive season
High volumes of fresh produce have coincided with cash-strapped consumers, bringing a halt to festive season pricing. Farmers are therefore unlikely to see the higher prices for their produce that are typical at this time of year.
ZZ2 finds the winning recipe for technology integration
Farming group ZZ2 has embraced technology to streamline farming practices and systems to maximise efficiency. Martin Jansen, chief information officer at ZZ2, shares the company’s approach to technological innovation, offering advice on how businesses can implement their own successful strategies.
Top farm’s recipe for superior grain production
Successful grain production requires adherence to a range of non-negotiables, including optimal timing of planting, crop protection and harvest. Mpumalanga grain producers Michael and Gareth Allen spoke to Lindi Botha about the technology that drives high yields, amid so many variables.
Trial and error, good relationships: key to veggie farmer’s success
Since he started farming in 2017, Gauteng vegetable farmer Jaco Botes has gone through a process of trial and error to find the right mix of crops, the best cultivars, and market agents he can count on. Lindi Botha reports on his strategies, insights, and breakthroughs.
Incompetent contractors lead to collapse of Free State roads
Road construction projects in the Free State are grinding to a halt as political ideologies dominate procurement processes.
The collapse beneath our feet: why farmers must act now to save soils
Worldwide, the pressures on soil and water are becoming harder to ignore. As weather extremes intensify and productive land grows ever strained, farmers face a truth that science has long warned of: soil and water cannot be managed in isolation.
Shipping volatility and costs ease, but not for long
Geopolitical events have wreaked havoc on the global shipping industry over the last five years, leading to skyrocketing prices and delays that negatively affected the fresh produce industry in particular.
Clearer finance applications key to growth for essential oil producers
Rising demand for indigenous essential and vegetable oils offers small- and medium-sized producers in South Africa opportunities to expand into local and export markets. However, many struggle to access finance due to limited funding information and complex application processes.
Foreign influence threatens South Africa’s banana industry
South African banana farmers face low prices and plant diseases that could threaten the industry’s sustainability if proper safeguards are not put in place.
Smart management to revive old banana plantations
When Jacques de Villiers took over the Giba banana farm in Kiepersol, Mpumalanga, after a hurricane destroyed the plantation, he had little more than experience and determination to work with. By reviving old plantations, tightening labour management, and applying data-driven precision, he is proving that banana farming can be profitable and sustainable – even on a shoestring budget.
When agriculture thrives, countries thrive, says farmer of the year
The agriculture sector’s resilience was celebrated on Friday, 14 November, during the Agricultural Writers SA awards evening, where farmers, agriculturalists, and agricultural communicators were lauded for their contribution to the sector’s success. The event took place in Worcester, Western Cape.
Uninsured and exposed: farmers battle to survive climate losses
The increase in frequency and severity of climate disasters has meant that farmers are increasingly unlikely to recover from adverse weather events. The agriculture sector has therefore reiterated calls for government to provide subsidised insurance to maintain food production.
Unlocking the potential of SA’s hemp industry
The cannabis hype in South Africa has been dampened by the reality of pricey compliance and start-up costs. Hemp presents the solution to both, requiring low input costs while offering promising marketing opportunities. Lindi Botha visited Green Route Hemp Industries in Walkerville, Gauteng, to find out about the value chain development needed to propel the local industry forward.
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