Sabrina Dean
Multimedia journalist active in print, radio and online platforms.
‘R1 billion in stock’ soon to make its way to Nampo 2025
An estimated R1 billion in stock will be making its way to Nampo Park outside Bothaville in the Free State over the next two weeks as exhibitors start setting up for the annual Nampo Harvest Day, which will run from 13 to 16 May this year.
Armyworm suspected in death of 100 cattle in EC
Around 100 cattle were recently found dead in a camp on a farm in the Grahamstown area in the Eastern Cape, according to Agri Eastern Cape (Agri EC).
Heavy rain and cold pose problems to oilseed, sheep farmers
Further heavy rain and cold weather conditions are cause for concern for grain, oilseed and sheep farmers. South Africans can expect heavy rain and cold conditions for the rest of the week, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
Compensation payments to Zim farmers dispossessed of land commences
While the process of initial compensation payments to farmers who had been dispossessed of land in Zimbabwe were reported to be proceeding smoothly by Zimbabwe’s government and Zimbabwe’s Valuation Consortium (Valcon), these claims have been branded as “misleading” and “inaccurate” by role players in the country.
Electronic deeds registration aims to save time and money
The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has launched the Electronic Deeds Registration System (eDRS). Although the agriculture sector has welcomed the move to modernise property registration, concerns remain about how smoothly the transition from a manual to an electronic system will unfold.
Making lucerne hay while maximising soil health
Free State irrigation farmer Freek Strauss grows lucerne for the local and export markets. At the same time, the crop improves the soil’s condition, thus increasing the yields of other crops in rotation.
How an agripreneur is creating jobs for his community
Lengau Mothiane has just signed on another 10 employees to handle the workload at his farmer support services business, Horizon Southern Group. Sabrina Dean spoke to him about his journey.
Optimal liming is key to preventing soil acidification
As much as 30% of South Africa’s agricultural soil resource is deemed to be acidifying, mostly due to inefficient or incorrect liming practices. This is according to a recent presentation by Dr Pieter Haumann, CEO of the Fertilizer Association of Southern Africa.
True data on informal farming sector vital – BFAP report
There are large gaps in the available agricultural production data, particularly when it comes to the contribution of smallholder farmers to the informal agricultural economy in South Africa.
Stats SA adjusts ‘food poverty line’ to R585 per month
Any person living in South Africa needs to have at least R585 per month to afford enough food to meet the minimum required daily energy intake needed to survive.
Record production puts pressure on global grain prices
US grain and oilseed prices traded slightly lower during trade in the first week of August as global forecasts predicted a record global grain crop.
‘Locked out of livelihoods’ women struggle to feed families
One of the consequences of the COVID-19-related lockdown regulations was that many women working as informal traders have been “locked out” of their livelihoods.
Tackling crime along the South Africa-Lesotho border
The strip of land spanning just over 900km along the Lesotho-South Africa border remains a source of economic loss and trauma for the many rural South Africans living there. Sabrina Dean spoke to Dr Jane Buys and Richard Chelin about the safety and security challenges in the area.
Family farm harvests 50t of carrots a day all year round
Bloemfontein farmer Johannes Griesel started producing carrots on 0,5ha. Today, he grows thousands of tons of this staple crop, harvesting it on every working day of the year.
Gap between farm and retail prices ‘warrant investigation’
A mixed picture was being painted by the different entities monitoring food prices during the national lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by the Competition Commission.
Court upholds ban on sale of water rights by farmers
A high court ruling on the sale of water rights could have far-reaching consequences for farmers, some agriculture role players have warned.
Tomatoes, bananas worst affected by country-wide cold fronts
Tomato producers have been among those worst affected by a spate of cold fronts during May and June, which had a negative impact on certain fruit and vegetables traded on South Africa’s fresh produce markets.
Farming jobs remain steady amid dismal employment figures
With South Africa’s unemployment rate now standing at more than 30%, a labour expert has warned the worst was yet to come.
Protecting South Africa’s trees from the shot hole borer
The polyphagous shot hole borer threatens over 150 South African tree species. If left unchecked, it could cause huge damage to citrus and avocado orchards, amongst others. Prof Wijnand Swart and Dr Gert Marais, who are striving to find a solution to the problem, spoke to Sabrina Dean.
Farmer development needs new financing mechanism – Didiza
One of the major obstacles still faced by new entrants in the farming sector was the lack of structured financial and practical support offered by the public and private sectors.
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