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Sinenhlanhla Mncwango is originally from the small town of Vryheid in Northern KwaZulu-Natal and now lives in Gauteng. She has an honours degree in journalism from the University of Johannesburg. Her experience spans online news, sports journalism and radio. In her spare time, she enjoys a good game of cricket or hockey and loves learning new languages.

Farmers empowered at Pannar Seed farmers’ day

Pannar Seed, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, hosted a farmers’ day to launch the 2024/25 planting season at Ya Rona Temo Farm in Vereeniging, Gauteng.

Building a flourishing farm from the ground up

Valeska van Schoor, co-founder and director of Gro4Africa, overcame financial and experiential challenges to build a successful farming business with her husband from scratch. She spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about how they transformed a vacant plot into a thriving, sustainable vegetable farm.

From the corporate world to macadamia cultivation

With the support of his wife, Andrew Doré has changed his approach to macadamia farming by adopting organic practices. He spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about his farming experience, challenges, and how he expanded his business into processing macadamia nuts into health products.

Agriculture must extract more benefits from BRICS

Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, highlighted the urgency for the BRICS bloc to deepen economic co-operation, particularly in agriculture during the Farming Forward event hosted by Standard Bank and Business Day at Sun City.

Department of Agriculture backs Agrimall digital platform

Director General of the Department of Agriculture Mooketsa Ramasodi delivered a keynote address at the launch of Agrimall, a new digital platform aimed at revolutionising South Africa’s agriculture sector. The event took place recently in Midrand.

Water crisis in Johannesburg threatens agriculture sector

The agriculture sector in Gauteng faces a potential crisis as water shortages grip the province, worsened by significant leaks in Johannesburg’s water infrastructure. Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, MEC of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, has highlighted the serious consequences for farmers relying on municipal water.

National food survey reveals grim food insecurity levels in SA

John Steenhuisen, minister of the Department of Agriculture, recently announced the results of the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey in Pretoria.

The importance of soil health in sustainable agriculture

As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, the role of soil health in enhancing agricultural resilience cannot be overstated. Dr Hendrik Smith, conservation agriculture facilitator at ASSET Research, and Prof Gerhard du Preez, associate professor at North-West University, spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about the basics of soil health and how it can be improved.

World Rabies Day: Vaccinate pets and livestock

World Rabies Day, observed on 28 September, focuses on the theme “Breaking Boundaries”. This day highlights the crucial role of vaccination and awareness in combating rabies, a deadly disease that affects both humans and animals.

Innovation and technology crucial for crop production to thrive

South African farmers are increasingly relying on innovation and technology to stay competitive in the face of climate variability, rising input costs, and global competition. With 90% of the country’s agricultural production dependent on rainfall, farmers are adopting new technologies to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Agribusiness confidence rebounds despite ongoing challenges

After dropping to a 15-year low in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024, the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) showed a notable improvement in Q3, rising by 10 points to reach 48. However, the index remains below the neutral 50-point threshold, reflecting persistent concerns within the sector.