Developing smallholder farmers
The competition commission recently ordered Massmart to increase its supplier development fund, which was set up to assist its SA smallholder farmer suppliers. Group supplier development executive Mncane Mthunzi spoke...
Balancing the complex variables of agriculture
The way farmers present themselves to government will determine their future, political analyst at the University of Johannesburg, Dr Piet Croucamp, told delegates at the Free State RPO congress. He...
Stud Book’s global recognition
The SA Stud Book was recently awarded the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) Certificate of Quality in Denmark. The certificate was awarded for all aspects of animal recording and...
New agri-college in Bothaville
The private Bothaville Agricultural College, an initiative of the Bothaville Maize Capital Chamber of Commerce, is the first of its kind in South Africa. Full-time classes at the college are...
Packaging – make the right choices
Packaging choices could spell success or failure in the agriculture sector, especially for exports. This is according to Ralph von Veh, MD of the corrugated division of leading paper and...
Matlala sets out to renew Nafu
After spending more than two years in retirement, Motsepe Matlala, the former president of the National African Farmers’ Union of South Africa (Nafu), has been asked to come back and...
WWF’s new plantation project
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) recently brought its New Generation Plantations project to SA, where it is engaging with timber stakeholders and government to implement the concept. Rod...
SA Sugarcane grower at helm of global body
KZN commercial sugarcane grower Roy Sharma was recently appointed president of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG) at its 11th conference in India. He spoke to Robyn...
Land promises won’t win an election
This is the centenary year of the 1913 Native Land Act and the land debate is heating up ahead of the 2014 presidential elections. Prof Steven Friedman cautions against emotional...
Neighbourly farming in Zimbabwe
Richard Tate, once a top Zimbabwean farmer, now lives in South Africa. He told Roelof Bezuidenhout about a friend still farming in that country who has been able to make...
Ideologies that harm an economy
Political ideology and a need to stay in favour with voters is placing a burden on the economy and leading to job losses. Dawie Roodt from the Efficiency Group explains...
Be energy efficient & increase profits
Through its Integrated Demand Management programmes, Eskom helps farmers manage the rising costs of electricity by means of energy efficient solutions and better water usage. Pannetjie Rossouw, Eskom’s manager for...
Public/private alliance critical for successful land reform’
Government may be recapitalising and developing failed reform projects in agriculture, but the South African sugar industry believes private sector participation is central to the success of the project. Anwhar...
Reshape the future of agriculture now
Water, coal, gas and oil. The future of these finite resources holds the key to the future of agriculture. That’s why farmers should participate in legislative processes to ensure the...
Much ado about mutton
Lamb is lekker. Lekker healthy. This message should be strongly conveyed to consumers and health professionals and that is exactly what nutritionist, Nicolette Hall, plans to do. Susan Botes reports.
SA politics: the rationale behind the rhetoric
Considering the threats, bluster and irrational demands that pour out of government offices, it’s not surprising that SA farmers feel apprehensive. Writer Max du Preez puts our politics into perspective...
An importer’s view on poultry supply
Chicken imports are a favourite whipping dog of the poultry industry and are held responsible for dragging down local prices and threatening jobs. But Russell Hanger, managing director of wholesale...
Maize micro mills stake their claim
Micro mills can fill an important niche in both the food chain and rural areas, says Sé Higgins, co-founder of Kuvusa Mills and managing director of African Micro Mills.
Fertiliser for Africa: boosting continental crop yields
African Fertiliser and Agribusiness Partnership plans to bolster fertiliser inputs to smallholders and so contribute to an African green revolution. The NGO has set itself the goal of increasing the...
Sugar industry in SA faces bitter challenges ahead
South Africa’s R12 billion a year sugar industry may be one of the world’s leading cost-competitive producers of high quality sugar, but it is currently beset by challenges. Trix Trikam,...
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