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
Small-scale farmer funding: some commercial options
While South Africa’s emerging farmers undoubtedly faced barriers and constraints when seeking finance, and efforts were being made to remove them, these farmers nonetheless had certain opportunities to access funds from commercial banks.
Virtual Irrigation Academy: teaching water management online
A website and visualised data make up the Virtual Irrigation Academy, which teaches farmers to develop effective irrigation infrastructure through soil monitoring. Siyanda Sishuba reports.
Using bats and birds to control macadamia crop pests
Biological pest control could speed up the farm-to-fork process and save the macadamia industry millions of rands, according to the initial results of an ongoing research project. The researchers have found that bats and birds can keep the crop’s most significant pests, stinkbugs, under control.
Cooperatives can unlock agri-sector potential
Cooperatives could unlock the potential of the agri-sector, said Theo de Jager, president of the South African Confederation of Agricultural Unions.
SA wastes a third of its agri output – WWF
A total of 10 million tons of food go to waste in South Africa every year, according to WWF South Africa’s new Food Loss and Waste: Facts and Futures report.
Angus bull sold for a record R140 000
Mequatling Smokin' Jo (WB 15 306), a Black Angus bull, was sold for R140 000, a new SA record for the breed, at the recent Mequatling Red and Black Angus 50th production auction in Clocolan in the Free State.
Fuel prices set to increase in August
Higher international fuel prices and the weakening of the rand against most major currencies have increased the probability of local fuel prices increasing in August.
DAFF needs R20 billion to accelerate agriculture reform
Deputy agricultural minister Bheki Cele said a significant budget is needed for the department to implement the Maputo Declaration, issued at the 2003 African Union summit in Mozambique.
Mpumalanga traditional leaders to receive 60 tractors
Traditional leaders in Mpumalanga would soon each receive a tractor in an effort to promote food security.
Senwes’ solar-powered Hennenman silo a first for SA
Senwes is the first agribusiness to install a solar-powered silo in SA The Solar PV, unveiled in early June at Hennenman silo, comprises 1120 solar panels.
Zim avian flu outbreak: SA farmers must step up biosecurity
Following the recent avian flu outbreak in Zimbabwe, the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) have urged SA poultry owners to implement basic biosecurity measures to prevent poultry from coming into contact with wild birds.
New market opportunities for South Africa’s macadamias
Alex Whyte, marketing manager of Green and Gold Nuts is convinced that the industry has potential for significant growth.
Identify invasive plants this World Environment Day
Invasive Species South Africa is encouraging communities to learn more about invasive plants this World Environmental Day, which has been themed ‘Connecting people to nature’.
Japan’s new approach to farming without soil
Japanese experts have made a breakthrough in agricultural technology, using polymer film to grow food.
R100 000 reward for proving land theft claims
TAU SA is offering a R100 000 reward to anybody who can prove that any commercial farmer or member of TAU SA have gained ownership of land in a way that constitutes theft.
New online agri studies platform
An online college specifically aimed at agricultural students has been launched in South Africa, called Agricolleges International.
World Bank aids Ivory Coast cocoa industry
The World Bank is set to grant funds of between US$100 million and US$125 million (R1,3 billion and R1,7 billion) to Ivory Coast to mitigate the drop in cocoa prices. Cocoa is a key commodity in the west African country.
Tru-Cape fun activities to raise funds for Grabouw schools
Following the success of last year’s inaugural Applewood Harvest Festival, hosted by Applewood Preparatory School in Grabouw in the Western Cape, Tru-Cape will again sponsor the running challenges associated with the harvest festival, the Tru-Cape Applewood Trail Run and the Tru-Cape Grabouw MTB.
EU countries opt-out of GM crop cultivation
Seventeen member states of the European Union (EU) have implemented national rules to opt out of the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops.
Record maize harvest forecasted
South Africa is set to harvest the second biggest maize crop on record this season. The Crop Estimates Committee has revised its estimate for the 2017 maize crop upwards by 3% from 13,918 million tons to 14,3 million tons.
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