Siyanda Sishuba
Siyanda Sishuba has a degree in broadcast journalism. She graduated in 2010 at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape. She is passionate about the environment and agriculture.
Siyanda grew up in Whittlesea and has seen how climate change and invasive species are affecting farmers in her community.
She’s worked at the Weekend Post, a local newspaper in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape. Thereafter she landed herself a job at Debt Management Consultants in East London, writing articles for company’s newsletter. She then moved to Johannesburg to work for the Department of Environmental Affairs Biosecurity Advocacy Unit
‘Farmers will feel delayed impact of fuel price increases’
For many farmers, the impact of the current fuel price increases will be delayed, given that many producers who are in the process of harvesting and planting would have already stocked up on fuel for the season, according to Pertunia Setumo, agricultural economist at FNB Agribusiness.
Rising cost of power to put ‘liquidity pressure’ on farmers
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) recently announced that it would allow power utility Eskom to recover R13,3 billion from customers for electricity supplied in the 2018/2019 financial year.
Improving beef yield through crossbreeding
David Rakgase of Rakgase Farms in Limpopo makes use of crossbreeding to improve carcass weight. He explained to Siyanda Sishuba how animal nutrition is managed on the farm in order for the cattle to maintain good condition throughout the year.
Pineapple farmers hope increase in demand will last
Pineapple farmers were happy to benefit from the surprise spike in demand for this tropical fruit as South Africans, left high and dry by the ban on alcoholic drink sales imposed during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown, started experimenting with different home-brewed fermented drinks, such as pineapple and ginger beer.
Lockdown alcohol ban may derail 2020 barley season
Early estimates for the 2020 malting barley season suggest that the hectares planted to this crop will continue to increase as it has since 2016.
Two young cattle farmers bring auctions to communal areas
Agriculture offers many opportunities for wealth creation, and young South Africans who are passionate about the sector should use their skills to establish new businesses, say Soyama Mthongana and Athenkosi Denga, the owners of Lizwe Meat.
Wineries get innovative with marketing during ‘dry’ lockdown
The six-week national lockdown has been devastating for the South African wine industry.
More than 40 000 farmers apply for agri COVID-19 funding
Small-scale farmers whose applications for relief funding from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (agriculture department) were successful, are expected to start receiving vouchers for agricultural inputs from 8 May.
Africa agripreneur competition to award two US$50 000 prizes
Applications are now open for the second annual GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition.
Strong demand for SA citrus at start of 2020 export season
A strong increase in global demand for citrus has so far been evident in the 2020 export season, according to Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa.
Online sales offer opportunities for farmers post-lockdown
Farmers can expect a significant increase in the demand for online retail sales of food directly to end customers due to consumer behavioural changes that occurred during the current lockdowns in countries around the world to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic.
African farmers lose market access as COVID-19 crisis widens
Millions of family farmers across Africa are facing economic devastation as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts exports and global food supply chains.
Concerns about agri department’s COVID-19 distress funding
Smallholder farmers have expressed disappointment with the application process for receiving financial relief from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (department of agriculture) during the lockdown period which was implemented to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Paprika farming in SA holds potential for job creation
Opportunities exist for farmers and agro-processors to enter the small, but growing paprika market in South Africa.
Export opportunities for South African raisins to the UK
South Africa is forecast to increase raisin exports by 8% to 64 600t in the 2019/2020 marketing year, up from 59 000t in 2018/2019, based on the increase in production and improved global demand, according to Ferdie Botha, general manager at Raisins South Africa.
UN warns of worsening locust invasion in East Africa
The African Development Bank has approved more than R28 million in emergency relief funding to assist nine countries in East Africa and the Horn of Africa to control vast swarms of desert locusts.
Forestry demand stable, despite toilet paper panic buying
Any perceived shortage of toilet paper in retail stores can be ascribed to a consumer behavioural issue rather than a production issue.
Slight decline in South African pear production volumes
South Africa’s pear production for 2020 is estimated at about 411 000t, which is a slight decrease on the 413 250t produced in 2019.
Vegetable farmer’s battle against the forces of nature
Eric Mauwane of Oneo Farms in Gauteng says that a crucial lesson he has learnt about sweet pepper production is the need to understand market demand and manage production practices accordingly. Siyanda Sishuba visited him to find out more about his operation.
Record citrus harvest expected for 2020
Southern Africa is expected to export a record 143,3 million cartons of citrus fruit to more than 100 countries in 2020.
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