Susan Marais
Medium-term budget: Dismay about lack of assistance for farmers
While the agriculture sector has welcomed plans to grow South Africa’s economy inclusively by nearly doubling government spending on infrastructure, there is some dismay about the lack of direct assistance for farmers.
Agri industry welcomes new R1,95 billion blended financing scheme
A new R1,95 billion blended financing scheme aimed at the commercialisation of black farmers has been welcomed by Christo van der Rheede, CEO of Agri SA.
R141 million investment boost for smallholder citrus farmers
Developing smallholder citrus farmers in South Africa will continue to be hard-hit by the rising pressure of increasing input costs over the next few years. This was according to a statement by Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA).
Agriculture remains vital for economic growth – Ramaphosa
The agriculture sector plays a critical role in the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. This was the message from President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, at the Agri SA Congress 2022 that got underway in Pretoria on Thursday (13 October).
Establishment of National Biosecurity Hub widely welcomed
Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have welcomed the establishment of South Africa’s new National Biosecurity Hub.
Locust outbreaks expected to increase this season
Following the first brown locust outbreak in the Northern Cape, there are fears that locust numbers could get out of hand due to vast areas of vacant land in the province.
Heatwave, blackouts double whammy for Limpopo farmers
The heatwave experienced during the week of 3 October along with Stage 4 rolling blackouts have delivered a double blow to Limpopo’s crop and livestock farmers.
Organised agriculture welcomes progress in Estina Dairy case
Agricultural role players have welcomed the arrest and court appearance of a further three people in the Estina Dairy corruption case. The accused appeared in court on 28 September on charges of fraud, theft, corruption, and money laundering.
Latest interest rate hike expected to dampen agri expansion in SA
The announcement by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on Thursday (22 September) that its benchmark lending rate is being increased by 75 basis points to 6,25% will mean that many farmers may have to restructure their debt and curtail expansion plans. This was according to Prof Johann Kirsten, director of the Bureau for Economic Research.
Government, industry FMD containment efforts dealt another blow
While over half a million cattle have already been vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) across South Africa, the fight against the disease has been dealt another blow with a recent outbreak being confirmed outside the Free State’s disease management area.
Fertility and meat quality: the traits driving the growing demand for Brafords
What do you get when you cross a Brahman with a Hereford? You get the Braford: a fertile animal with amazing mothering abilities that has a long life expectancy and produces a carcass that can be compared with South Africa’s best. Susan Marais travelled to Bethal in Mpumalanga to learn more about this exceptional breed from Gert van der Merwe and Johan de Jager, owners of the Bonheur Brafords stud.
How aquaponics is benefitting children at a Gauteng school
Lesedi la Kreste Anglican Primary School in Gauteng has incorporated aquaponics into its curriculum and feeding scheme for over a decade. Susan Marais visited the school to find out more about the project.
Frustration over neglect of Tshwane Market
A lack of maintenance has frustrated farmers to the point where Potatoes South Africa has called for the privatisation of the Tshwane Market.
Call up your soil microbe army and win the battle for profit!
The return on investment for conventional farms has declined by an average of 1,4% per year in real terms since 1986. But every farmer has a microbe army that can fight back against this trend. Susan Marais found out more at a recent regenerative conservation agriculture farmers’ day in Mpumalanga.
Cattle industry welcomes lifting of ban on livestock movement
Industry leaders have welcomed Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza’s decision to lift the countrywide ban on the movement of cattle introduced to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
Global market forces keep South Africa’s food prices high
While a recent survey found that a large proportion of South Africans struggled to afford three meals per day, food affordability would have been worse if farmers did not produce food as abundantly as they had in recent years.
Third La Niña-season forecast raises fears of potential crop damage
Farmers in South Africa’s summer rainfall regions should prepare for a third consecutive high-rainfall season, which could lead to flooding, waterlogged lands, and crop damage.
SA dog breeders warned about canine brucellosis
Canine brucellosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Brucella canis, could threaten the fertility of dogs being bred in South Africa, according to Dr Kurt de Cramer, a veterinarian at the Rant-en-Dal Animal Hospital in Krugersdorp, Gauteng.
Extreme measure to halt FMD in South Africa justified – RPO
The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza’s decision to place South Africa’s cattle on a 21-day lockdown will “hurt the entire beef value chain, but the alternative would be far worse”. This was according to James Faber, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO).
Is SA’s rural economy on the road to ruin?
Dilapidated country roads are a direct threat to South Africa’s agricultural and rural economies, yet farmers and communities have largely encountered a wall of indifference from government. In an attempt to be heard, Agri SA and its affiliates conducted a countrywide survey amongst 311 primary production units, many of which expressed frustration over the authorities’ lack of action.
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