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.
South Africa’s fruit exports at risk as carbon tax looms
Coal-based power is the main source of carbon emissions in fruit production. With the carbon tax looming over South Africa’s export markets, the shift to renewable energy is all the more urgent. However, as Lindi Botha reports, Eskom has few such plans in place.
Pass the slap chips – there’s no potato shortage
Consumers have been urged not to panic over exaggerated reports of potato shortages. Potatoes SA has noted that while supply is currently lower than normal, there will be sufficient volumes to meet demand for the rest of the year.
Industry faces ongoing scrutiny over seed access claims
Months after the release of the Competition Commission’s Fresh Produce Market Inquiry (FPMI) report, the seed industry is still battling the accusation that there is an active strategy to limit access to high-quality seeds to new farmers.
A honeymoon suite in the tranquil Lowveld
A 30-minute drive from Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, Tussenklip Honeymoon Suite offers the kind of tranquillity rarely available in today’s populated world. The serenity is as much a result of being hugged by granite boulders as it is of harmonious, purposeful design, says Lindi Botha.
Agri females on the rise, but barriers persist
Female participation in the agriculture sector is increasing as new technology levels the playing field and creates new opportunities for a host of careers. Female farmers however still face significant barriers owing to stereotyping.
Crop estimate shows marginal decline, hope for lower inflation
The latest data on the 2024 summer crop shows marginal decreases across summer crops like maize, soya beans and groundnuts. High hopes for a wetter 2025 season prevail, which should ease food prices if the rain materialises.
How to become a fresh produce powerhouse – lessons from Spain
The Almería region in Spain is proof of what can be achieved when the whole agriculture sector stands united to work towards a mutually beneficial goal. Returning from a recent visit to the region, Lindi Botha reports on how farmers, researchers and banks have joined forces to become a major player in fresh produce production.
Sandveld water restrictions catastrophic for food security
Skyrocketing potato prices seen at the end of 2023 could become the new reality if water usage restrictions are imposed on farmers in the Western Cape’s Sandveld region
New technology that makes smart farming easy
Agricultural technology is advancing at a rapid pace. With a host of applications on the market, farmers are spoilt for choice in reducing their workload and optimising systems. Lindi Botha looks at the latest technologies worthy of consideration.
Iberian pigs provide the world’s most expensive ham
Amidst the range of delicacies to be enjoyed in Spain, Iberian ham is both a culinary delight and a farming marvel. Lindi Botha visited Spain to find out what it takes to produce the most expensive ham in the world.
New ministers for departments of agriculture and land reform
South Africa’s new cabinet ministers for agriculture, and land reform and rural development, might hail from different political parties, but their ideologies are much aligned in theory to that of the ANC.
SA’s fresh produce prices vs the world’s: are they the cheapest?
The elephant in the Competition Commission’s Fresh Produce Market Inquiry (FPMI) has yet to be addressed despite the provisional report being released on Wednesday.
Fresh produce inquiry confirms dilapidated infrastructure impedes transformation
An untenable environment in which farmers have to operate has been cited as the reason transformation has mostly failed within the fresh produce sector in South Africa, and why participation from small-scale and historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs) is low in the market.
Secret to Van Loveren’s success: look for solutions, not trouble
South Africa’s wine industry is dwindling. Yet, Van Loveren Vineyards go from strength to strength each year, excelling both in their business offering and their ability to keep generations of family involved, conflict-free. Lindi Botha speaks to the Retief family about their achievements over the years.
Livestock farmers warned to get welfare in place
While the pork industry is showing optimism in terms of production and market growth, producers have been warned to pay more attention to animal welfare issues to maintain the positive growth.
Green financing: rewarding those who measure
The race to Net Zero has increased the burden of compliance for farmers, as in addition to administrative tasks, carbon footprints need to be tracked and reported. There is however a silver lining for those who can prove due diligence. Lindi Botha spoke to Marlene Louw, senior economist at Absa AgriBusiness.
Agri players may have to fine-tune their approach after the elections
As South Africa heads to the polls on Wednesday, the dire state of the country is more in focus than ever as we mark 30 years of democracy. Front-of-mind for the agriculture community is whether the mounting pressure on creating a more enabling environment for the sector will be realised after the election.
Nampo ends on high note with highest number of visitors on record
South Africa’s biggest agricultural show, the Nampo Harvest Day, ended on a high note on Friday, marking the highest attendance on record. Dirk Strydom, marketing lead for Nampo, said that it was also a particularly smooth-running event, pointing to the well-oiled machine that has become Nampo.
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Case IH launches powerful ‘in-betweener’ tractor
Case IH has launched a tractor to serve the Goldilocks of farmers – not too big and not too small. The new Optum CVX 270/300 is a powerful bundle, fitting in-between the Magnum and Puma series, delivering up to 340hp.
Good weather set to attract many visitors to Nampo
South Africa’s biggest and most popular agricultural show is set to deliver on all fronts this year as the weather plays its part to ease access. Nampo kicks off on Tuesday, 14 May in Bothaville, Free State, ending on Friday, 17 May.
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