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.
Consumer concerns about pig welfare can’t be ignored
Animal welfare has become one of the greatest challenges facing the pork industry – not just on farms but across the entire value chain.
Diversification can protect pig farmers in volatile market
Amid rising input costs and market volatility, South African pig farmers are facing a harsh financial climate. But at the PigX2 conference held in Pretoria this week, experts urged producers to remain focused, diversify income streams, and adopt disciplined risk management strategies to stay afloat.
How top potato farmer optimises production
Since taking over her late husband’s farm three years ago, Franelyn Rossouw has been simplifying her approach to potato farming in order to streamline production. She spoke to Lindi Botha about how her focus on optimising irrigation, meticulous crop protection, and reducing in-field traffic is bearing fruit.
Mpumalanga fresh produce market ‘a white elephant’ – DA spokesperson
Mbombela is waiting anxiously to see if the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM) will open its doors on Friday. The controversial market has been six years in the making, at a cost of R2 billion to tax payers, but has yet to open.
Fad diets damage the reputation of potatoes
Conflicting messaging surrounding the nutritional value of potatoes has hindered stable and consistent consumer uptake. Educating consumers on the merit of potatoes is therefore key to growing demand and keeping prices stable for producers.
Tapping into the gluten-free trend could improve potato margins
The growing demand for sustainable and gluten-free food products could significantly reduce the volume of wasted potatoes in South Africa, boosting farmers’ profitability.
Prepare for higher fertiliser prices this summer
Higher fertiliser prices are on the cards for the upcoming summer planting season, as trade policies and sanctions take their toll on supply.
Worldwide macadamia shortage softens tariff blow
The world’s two largest macadamia-producing regions were hit by adverse weather conditions last year, resulting in a smaller 2025 crop. As such, these lower volumes could soften the blow of possible higher import tariffs for macadamias shipped from South Africa to the US.
Fake news lurks in agri, but it can be stopped
At the Africa Agri Tech 2025 conference held in Pretoria in March, Alan Hardacre, co-founder of Advocacy Academy, spoke about how disinformation campaigns wreak havoc on agribusinesses. He highlighted the challenges and opportunities in using artificial intelligence in the fight for truth.
Producers can’t keep up with global demand for goat meat
Global demand for goat meat is increasing, with health, cultural, and religious practices driving the surge. Trade data company the Observatory of Economic Complexity reported that, over the past five years, the trade in goat meat has grown at an annual rate of 1,76%. In 2023, the main importers of goat meat were the United Arab Emirates (30,3%), the US (17,4%), and South Korea (9,9%).
Consumer connection drives sheep farmer viability
As consumers face increasing economic pressure, their ability to pay higher prices for lamb meat dwindles. Sheep farmers are therefore feeling the pinch as input costs rise, but producer prices remain stagnant.
Stellenbosch University under investigation for alleged animal abuse
Stellenbosch University (SU) is facing an investigation by the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) after Farmer’s Weekly was alerted to the alleged inhumane treatment of animals at the SU’s experimental farm.
Trump’s tariffs: ‘It’s about trade, not politics’
A blame game erupted on social media on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump announced in a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa that a 30% import tariff on South African goods would take effect on 1 August.
Pome fruit outlook optimistic as global demand grows
While there is optimism over the 2025 pome fruit season in South Africa, shrinking marketing windows in key export markets will bring challenges to global exporters in the long term.
Mpumalanga bracing for a severe fire season
A heavy fuel load from vegetation as a result of robust rain is set to make the fire season in the summer rainfall region particularly challenging this year. Last year, wildfires across Mpumalanga desiccated over 1,4 million hectares of land, with damage estimated at more than R21 billion, according to the Lowveld and Escarpment Fire Protection Association (LEFPA).
Bird flu vaccine: protocol simplification vital for mass rollout
Without protocol reforms, mass vaccinations of the national flock will be unlikely. Astral Foods became the first broiler producer in South Africa this week to be given the green light to vaccinate its flock against highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu). But without industry reforms, the vaccines will remain out of reach for the majority of chicken farmers.
Sewage-infested water in the Lowveld threatens export markets
Rising E. coli levels in rivers in the Mpumalanga lowveld could cost farmers their markets. Dilapidated waste treatment infrastructure and a rapid increase in informal settlements along rivers from which irrigation water is drawn, has resulted in increasingly polluted water systems.
New Plant Breeders’ Rights to offer greater protection for innovation
New regulations around plant breeders’ rights (PBR) are expected to boost seed technology availability in South Africa, while providing greater scope for subsistence farmers to replant and trade seed obtained from the previous season’s crop.
Blooming difficult: growing orchids for SA’s premium flower market
A high-maintenance crop, if ever there was one, orchids demand attention to detail. With over 35 years of experience in orchid production, LVG Plants combines its expertise with new advancements in greener technologies, ensuring its flowers are beautiful allies for people and planet.
Agriculture gains traction among youth as a promising career path
Agriculture’s growing reputation as a viable career, offering a diversity of focus areas, is attracting more youth to the sector.
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