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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 to Peter Mashala.

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 spoke to Annelie Coleman about the strained relationship between the state and farmers.

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 genetic evaluation for all species and production systems applied for. Annelie Coleman spoke to manager Charl Hunlun about the significance of the accreditation.

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 due to start in 2015. Annelie Coleman asked college principal Marius Heyns about the new venture.

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 packaging company Mpact. Robyn Joubert reports.

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 rebuild the collapsed organisation. He shares Nafu’s new plans with Peter Mashala.

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 Taylor, director of forests for WWF International, explained the project to Robyn Joubert.

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 Joubert about the industry.

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 reactions and says that farmers should keep the government’s actual policies in mind. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

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 a success of his business despite hardship and difficulties.

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 how minimum wages and labour laws are hurting the country. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

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 Agricultural Intergrated Demand Management, discusses the programmes with Peter Mashala.

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 Madhanpall, SA Sugar Association’s general manager, talks to Lloyd Phillips.

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 implementation of long- term solutions today, says Prof Kobus van der Walt, environmental lecturer at North-West University. Susan Botes reports.

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.

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 and offers comfort.

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 frozen food distributor, Merlog Foods, and an executive director of the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE), sees things differently. Robyn Joubert reports.

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.

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 number of fertiliser users by 15% and of at least doubling fertiliser use in the countries where it operates. Peter Mashala spoke to Cecilia Khupe, AFAP’s director of programmes.

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, executive director of the SA Sugar Association, shares his thoughts on the matter with Lloyd Phillips.