New port key to trade expansion
The proposed Durban Dig-Out Port (DDOP) is essential to ensure the future relevance of the Durban Port, which is fast running out of capacity to meet demand, says programme director...
Are imports hurting SA’s beef industry?
Simon Roche, general manager of Organic Beef, says consumers are prepared to pay as much as R220/kg for the free-range grass-fed beef he imports from Botswana.
Iron out the grey areas in employment contracts
Leah Molatseli, an associate at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys who specialises in labour legislation, spells out the current legal requirements of farm worker employment contracts.
Forum – farm workers not ‘vulnerable workers’
The Farm Workers’ Forum was initiated in the Western Cape to offer alternative representation for workers. One of the founding members, Rita Andreas, spoke to Denene Erasmus.
The CWAA: a new look, a new energy
The Cape Women’s Agricultural Association turns 85 this year, making it one of the oldest women’s organisations in SA. The president, Erika Lubbe, talks to Roelof Bezuidenhout about the CWAA’s...
Prof Nick Vink on the state of SA agriculture
One of South Africa’s most renowned agricultural economics’ researchers, Prof Nick Vink of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Stellenbosch University, was named the 2013 Agricultural Writers’ Agriculturalist of the...
Negotiating the intricacies of trade agreements
South Africa’s trade agreements have come under the spotlight recently, with government cancelling many bilateral investment treaties with countries abroad. John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, spoke to Lindi van Rooyen...
What does climate change hold for SA?
Global warming can be slowed if governments agree to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says Dr Bob Scholes, ecologist at the CSIR’s Natural Resources and Environment Division.
Standard Bank’s new head of Agribusiness
As trends in agriculture change, so too do issues surrounding agricultural finance. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to the newly appointed head of Standard Bank Agribusiness, Nico Groenewald, about working around...
Making the most of groundwater
Only 40% of SA’s groundwater is utilised, yet this figure could be much higher, says Department of Water Affairs’ scientific manager, Fanus Fourie. He spoke at the recent Groundwater Conference...
Making a name for South African apples and pears
In his 23-year career in the South African apple and pear industry, Tru-Cape managing director Charles Hughes has turned a simple commodity into a preferred brand name. He spoke to...
Industry-specific insurance
Enrico Malan is a business development broker, specialising in agricultural and crop insurance at Marsh Africa, a global insurance broking firm. The company works with clients to design customised solutions....
Economies of scale: how does dairy farming fit in
Dairy farming is changing as smaller farmers fall by the wayside and bigger operations expand. David Beca, director of Australian company Red Sky and CEO of NZ Farming Uruguay, dispels...
‘Let’s celebrate our farmers’ – Ramphele
Agricultural transformation in South Africa has been a dismal failure since 1994, according to Agang leader Dr Mamphela Ramphele.
IDC: Boosting growth and creating jobs
The aim of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is to increase agro-industrial capacity in the agricultural value chain. The organisation takes on projects based on their potential to transform rural...
Partnering to turn around SA’s land reform failures
VKB is a strategic partner in government’s Recapitalisation and Development Programme. Transformation manager Moses Maine explains to Peter Mashala what this means in practice.
Zakhe Agricultural College: cultivating farmers
Zakhe Agricultural College, situated on Baynesfield Estate in KwaZulu-Natal, celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. Principal and executive officer, Richard Dladla, gives an overview of this private college.
A young farmer speaks out
Corniel Louwies (29) is Agri Gauteng’s 2013 Young Farmer of the Year. He has been producing maize on 100ha of leased land in the Randfontein district while working as a...
FSA forges ahead with land audit
Free State Agriculture recently completed a provincial land audit in conjunction with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. FSA president Dan Kriek told Annelie Coleman that the missing...
Slow food promotes healthier living
The Slow Food Movement encourages consumers to take greater responsibility for the food they eat by getting to know the producer and his production processes, instead of relying on labels...
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