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.
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.
Increase citrus yield, packouts and quality with shade nets
In a consumer-driven market that is picky about the appearance of fruit, producing brightly coloured produce with zero blemishes is vital to catch the eye of shoppers. Erecting nets over citrus orchards increases the chances of a superb packout. Lindi Botha reports on how farmers should approach this costly but fruitful undertaking.
Foot-and-mouth outbreak in Eastern Cape
Steps have been taken to prevent the spread of foot and mouth, a highly contagious viral disease, from an affected Eastern Cape farm to surrounding areas.
No ‘quick buck’ but dragon fruit is on a steady rise
The dragon fruit industry continues to grow from strength to strength as farmers report a better season in 2024 off the back of good yields and prices.
Get the most from your irrigation system
Water is a big determinant of the success of a crop. But far more than just availability, how water is applied, when, and how much, is nothing short of a science. Irrigation experts talk about how an irrigation system should be approached for best results.
TWK Agri CEO shares turnaround strategy
Chief Financial Officer of the Year finalist Eddie Fivaz has taken TWK Agri from the brink of collapse to expansion and success. He speaks to Lindi Botha about leadership charting a course in challenging times.
Stellenbosch farmers bear the brunt of the storm
The Western Cape has been struck by disaster as strong winds sent fires blazing, roofs crashing in and wine cellars destroyed over the weekend.
You are what your food ate: the health connection in the soil
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, goes the saying about the role of diet in overall health. New research however suggests that good health is less about the quantity of produce we ingest, and more about quality. Soil health makes all the difference in growing food that fills versus food that nourishes.
Hlobi Yende, the young farmer transforming her family farm
Hlobi Yende is part of a new generation of young, energetic female farmers making waves in the agriculture sector. She is leading the charge by defying stereotypes and creating an inclusive space for women on farms.
Farmers still feeling the pinch after COVID-19
The effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns are still lingering in the agriculture sector as some businesses have closed permanently while shifts in market demand have influenced the operations of others.
Lower yields and prices expected for 2024 summer crop harvest
The summer grain crop has again been revised down as the drought takes its toll on South Africa. The size of the expected commercial maize crop has been set at 13,26 million tons – 7,69% or 1,1 million tons less than the previous forecast in February.
Macadamia industry scammed out of R4 million during theft probe
Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC) has been defrauded of R4 million, dealing a further blow to curbing theft in the industry. Macadamia nut theft is rife in South Africa, where both individual criminals and syndicates operate to amass the nuts before they reach processors.
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