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.
Nampo 2025: ‘Conservation agriculture becoming more bankable’
Through trial and error, farmers and bankers have gained a better understanding of what it takes to implement conservation agriculture practices.
More than 200 aircraft expected to land at Nampo airfield
With Nampo Harvest Day being the biggest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere, traffic jams are inevitable as over 80 000 people descend on the narrow country roads around Bothaville in the Free State in May each year. The solution? Fly in, as over 1 000 people do each year.
The nurse who became an award-winning vegetable producer
Vegetable farmer Sophy Litshani Musabeni doesn’t miss an opportunity to broaden her knowledge on agriculture. Doing her own research and speaking to those in the know, she has catapulted herself from a small-scale emerging farmer to a commercial success in just seven years.
‘Look east and forget about Trump’ – JP Landman
South Africa should forget the US and instead focus its attention on growing export markets in Africa and the East. This was the sentiment expressed by speakers at the AgBusiness day of the Africa Agri Tech conference that took place from 18 to 20 March in Pretoria.
‘Fake news could destroy agribusinesses’
South Africa is ripe for disinformation campaigns about agriculture that could cripple food production and innovation.
Africa Agri Tech: there is hope for red meat traceability
South Africa is moving closer to implementing a full traceability system for the red meat sector. It is hoped that this will assist meat exports and boost dwindling margins in the industry.
What farmers need to know about Oilseeds in crop
Oilseeds play a dual role on a crop farm, providing a valuable product and a mechanism for enhancing soil health and reducing input costs. Lindi Botha reports on the key considerations to make the best of sunflower, soya bean, and canola crops.
A game-changer for ginger production
The biggest obstacle that ginger farmers in South Africa face is securing enough land to allow for at least a four-year rest period before replanting the same land to the crop. Limpopo farmer Ika Cronjé spoke to Lindi Botha about how she solved this problem by turning to hydroponic production.
Four key strategies to future-proof your farm
Volatile operating environments and consumer scrutiny are putting increased pressure on farming businesses. To navigate these challenges and stay the course, farmers must focus on four areas: succession planning, data collection and analysis, traceability systems, and reporting on their environmental and social impact.
Budget postponement over VAT dispute could affect grants, frontline services
In a first for democratic South Africa, the national budget speech was cancelled moments after it was due to be tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday 19 February.
Bicarbonates: the silent crop killer
Irrigation water high in bicarbonates can wreak havoc on crops, causing soil compaction, blocking plants’ nutrient uptake and eventually killing them. Identifying and treating bicarbonates isn’t easy, but there are proven strategies for farmers.
Budget Speech should focus on infrastructure to support fresh produce sector
This year’s Budget Speech comes on the heels of the finalisation of the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry, which contains a host of recommendations to improve transformation, supply and cost of fresh produce in South Africa.
Best practices for grain farmers
Maize and wheat are the two most important staple foods in South Africa. With stable consumer demand of these grains and the continuous development of production techniques, Lindi Botha reports on how producers should approach such farming ventures.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities.
Market inquiry: retailers (mostly) cleared
The Competition Commission released its final report on the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry (FPMI). Retailers have, for the most part, been cleared of any wrongdoing regarding price gouging or keeping new or small-scale farmers out of this market.
No need to panic over supply – Potatoes SA CEO
Potatoes SA has warned against panic over potato supply amid a year of adverse weather. In 2024, potatoes reached record-high prices as black frost in Limpopo and drought in the Free State curtailed harvests towards the end of winter.
Acceptance of genetically engineered crops widens
The past year saw an increase in the number of countries allowing for the cultivation and import of crops that have been genetically engineered (GE).
Cherry production in Gauteng: challenging, but possible
Growing cherries in a suboptimal climate requires manipulating trees and temperatures. But with a considerable market advantage, it is worth the effort. Lindi Botha visited ZZ2’s Toscana farm, which for four weeks of the year takes prime position in the cherry market.
Fresh produce sales must cater to consumer trends
Fresh produce marketers need to keep up with changing trends in consumer behaviour to make the best of marketing budgets.
EU ‘toxic’ tea tree oil law could sink SA’s industry
South Africa faces job losses in excess of 20 000 should the EU proceed with legislation that bans the use of tea tree oil.
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