Staff Reporter
City rooftops: the next frontier for farming
You don’t have to have green fingers to grow lush vegetables and herbs. But you do have to have a head for heights if you want to join the brigade of farmers transforming their lives and Johannesburg’s inner-city rooftops with their hydroponic gardens.
Kenyan model shows how to support emerging farmers
Professor Cyril Nhlanhla Mbatha of Unisa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership outlines some key production and marketing strategies to help promote the economic sustainability of smallholder farmers, and therefore more successful land reform in South Africa.
Finding value in cattle shows in an era of modern breeding
The showing of cattle is often used by stud breeders to market their animals. However, as genetic values become more prominent as a tool to improve the performance of herds, is there still a place for the showing of cattle? Show judge and breeder Llewellyn Angus investigates.
How to inject your livestock properly
Animal health is a cornerstone of successful farming, and at some point all livestock farmers need to inject their animals. Here are some valuable tips.
Data sharing in the fresh produce industry
According to Ed Treacy, vice-president of supply chain efficiencies for the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), blockchain technology holds great possibilities for improving efficiency and traceability in the fresh produce sector. In particular, it optimises supply chain operations, enhancing quality management, increasing market and business intelligence, reducing costs, and fostering brand protection.
Bonsmara’s Red Breed Event and National Female Sale
Bonsmara SA will host its annual National Female Sale and Red Breed Event in March 2019. These events are a must for all cattle producers who want to improve their herds’ genetics.
Saving our land: the importance of wetlands
A wetland, whether smaller than a hectare or covering a vast area, is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. We urgently need to conserve them.
Good communication crucial for achieving profit
Farmers must spell out to workers what their duties are and regularly review their performance against set goals.
Homeland consolidation: a forerunner of land reform?
Zimbini Coka, a junior lecturer at the University of the Free State’s Department of Agricultural Economics, visited areas that became part of the Ciskei homeland through consolidation in the 1970s as part of her master’s research. In this article, she shares her views on the lessons learnt from the past process of homeland consolidation and what these mean for South Africa’s land reform process.
How old tyres can stop soil erosion in its tracks
Researchers have estimated that, over the past four decades, the world has lost a third of its arable land due to erosion or pollution. Solutions are constantly being sought. Frans Joseph and Mias van der Westhuizen of the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently tested the mitigating effect of a simple, inexpensive method to address soil erosion.
Third Goat Agribusiness Conference
The third Goat Agribusiness Conference was recently held at the Durban Botanic Gardens and was well-attended by prospective and existing goat farmers.
The nitrogen replacement value of soya bean
Maize following this leguminous crop usually shows no nitrogen deficiency symptoms.
Last day to apply to attend Youth Ag Summit in Brazil
Stand a chance to be one of 100 young agricultural enthusiasts from around the world to attend the 2019 Youth Ag Summit to be held in Brasília, Brazil from 4 to 6 November this year.
Time for Africa to treat agriculture as a business
Rural economies in Africa have become zones of economic misery. According to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank, stimulating economic growth in these areas through agriculture and the food industry should be at the top of the development agenda.
TWK milling pays R1,8 million penalty in collusion case
TWK Milling has agreed to pay an administrative penalty of over R1,8 million after a Competition Tribunal found that TWK Milling had colluded with others to fix prices of milled wheat products, according to a statement by the Competition Commission.
New Year’s messages from agri leaders
The agriculture sector survived a year of rising uncertainty in 2018, but with the national election and the threat of drought looming, 2019 will be every bit as challenging. According to leaders in the sector, farmers will have to be resilient and partner with the right role players to face the trials that await.
It’s time for smallholder farmers to enter value chains
The expropriation without compensation debate has been making national headlines since last year, with many proponents arguing that it would economically empower the poor. However, Zamikhaya Maseti, a senior specialist for public and sector policy at the Land Bank, says that no land reform policy can be successful if new black farmers do not have adequate access to markets.
Food-to-go: Retailers tuck into a growing trend
The report, ‘Business models to ride the food-to-go wave,’ released by Rabobank, explores the growing trend of precooked and ready-to-eat meals, and how retailers and foodservice providers can work together to benefit from this movement.
Here’s why you should attend the Agribusiness Africa Conference
Join us on 10 July 2019 for the 13th Annual Agribusiness Africa Conference.
Ending non-tariff barriers could unlock Africa’s riches
The Continental Free Trade Agreement, which South Africa has signed, is key to increasing trade revenues, job creation and economic integration on the continent, writes Sifiso Ntombela, head of trade and investment intelligence at Agbiz.
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