Crops

Luxurious and pricey, most of today’s bakkies are designed for well-heeled urbanites rather than farmers. How then do you pick an affordable, no-nonsense vehicle that can cope with the everyday demands of a farm?

Despite facing serious challenges, South African agriculture can nonetheless increase its competitiveness, both locally and internationally. Prof Gerald Ortmann, head of Agricultural Economics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, explores some of the options.

Good soup is high quality nutrition in a rush. Since most of the goodies are in solution they get to work exceptionally fast. That’s why all international cuisines feature soups, from Italian Minestrone to Vietnamese Pho Bo.

A wide assortment of tractors was on display at Nampo this year. Here is the second of two reviews.

Like all recent converts, I am a fanatic to the cause. And the cause, my brothers, is the dry rub. This is a rough ’n tough application of seasoning to raw meat. Until recently, my only previous experience of a dry rub was cajun-style blackened fish. And, as we say down in the Durban mangrove swamps, fish ain’t meat.

We live in one of the most unequal societies in the world. It should cause us disquiet, and lead to action.

In the struggle to eradicate poverty and hunger, the most important factor is people, not money. Unless a country is willing to better itself, no donor institution will succeed in transforming it, says Kanayo F Nwanze, president of the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development.

The new tractors on show at Nampo ranged from the 14kW Hinomoto 180D to the 440kW Challenger MT875E, and all promised increased efficiency and reduced operating costs, thanks to the latest engine and drive train technology.

This section provides for certain deductions in respect of technological research and development.

There are times, usually when the night is dark, the wind howling and the rain beating on the windows, when all you want out of life is a bowl of hot, steaming soup.

SA has economic opportunities, but tough challenges. For farmers, positives are a sizeable domestic market and top local suppliers, says Wessel Lemmer, senior agricultural economist at Absa.

A selection of some of the exhibits that caught Joe Spencer’s eye at his 47th Pietermaritzburg Royal Show.

There are a number of simple, relatively inexpensive changes farmers can implement to decrease their electricity usage. Prof Alan Brent of the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch University talked to Glenneis Kriel about these.

Gaining perspective allows you to make the right decisions. Without perspective, you're just guessing.

The English cook stews. The French design casseroles. Give this lamb and haricot bean combination your best shot. Your guests will love you for it.

South Africa’s trout industry has a meaningful socioeconomic role to play in the country’s future, says llan Lax, chairperson of the Federation of SA Flyfishers.

The other penalties aside, is misappropriation of VAT theft in the same way as stealing a car or television set is? SARS would like you to think so.

Some Israeli friends recently dropped by just long enough to cook me a breakfast of shakshuka. This rewarding dish consists of eggs baked on a bed of spiced tomatoes. Add lamb kidneys and you have a delicious, quick-to-prepare Sunday brunch.

SA’s land reform debacle could destroy everything achieved since 1994, warns communications expert Prof David Venter. He was speaking at the recent Hortgro Science Symposium held near Franschhoek.

The road to becoming a successful poultry farmer is littered with obstacles, but it is possible.