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.
Poor policies in the spotlight on World Food Day
Despite the fact that South Africa is an agricultural powerhouse, over 20% of its population is food insecure, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). With World Food Day commemorated on 16 October, agricultural organisations are turning their attention to policies that hinder food security.
Pomegranates: easy to grow in the right climate
As unfussy as they come, pomegranates are a relatively easy crop to cultivate. With market conditions picking up, the fruit offers first-time, part-time and long-time farmers an attractive option should they find themselves in the right climate. Lindi Botha reports on the success of a farm in Gauteng.
World Cotton Day highlights importance of GM technology
South African cotton farmers’ yields are double that of the average in Africa, highlighting the importance of having access to genetically modified (GM) seed.
The real reason fresh produce transformation has stalled
Transformation in the fresh produce sector faces a significant challenge in that small-scale producers are unable to stay the course. Lindi Botha reports on how overwhelming obstacles, such as defunct government infrastructure and the high cost of food safety compliance, are shattering these farmers’ prospects for success.
Surplus piles up for cannabis farmers due to market challenges
Government has expedited hemp permits for farmers and has issued 1 100 since cannabis was declared an agricultural crop in 2021. However, little attention is being paid to the rest of the value chain, resulting in an abundance of biomass for which there is no market.
Interest rate drops marginally, but signals better times ahead
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has lowered the policy rate by 25 basis points to 8% per annum. This will take effect from 20 September, bringing relief to debt-laden consumers and farmers.
Award-winning farmer achieves success through diversified business
The Agricultural Writers SA National Farmer of the Year 2023, Dewald te Water, runs a diversified agriculture and construction business in Mpumalanga. Growing the business from scratch, he has proved the value of hard work, perseverance, and not being afraid to take risks.
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.
