Opinion: we have underestimated a pillar of our economy
From my time in the National Treasury, I’ve seen how agriculture’s role in economic planning is underestimated. Too often, it is viewed as a siloed primary sector of harvests and...
Broken promises: the collapse of Zimbabwe’s land compensation
Zimbabwean farmer Stuart Brent was promised US$800 000 (about R14 million) compensation for improvements to property lost during the country’s land reform programme, but received less than US$8 000 (R138 000), turning...
Agro-industrial parks in focus as Africa eyes agricultural growth
Africa’s agricultural potential remains largely untapped, with post-harvest losses of key commodities exceeding 30% and continued reliance on imported processed foods. This deficit in local value addition undermines food security,...
Implementing the agriculture master plan is key to growth
Since the Department of Agriculture held its seminar on the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, which seeks to unlock inclusive growth in the sector, there has been some pushback from...
Study Animal Health at TARDI
Set in the hills of rural Eastern Cape, Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute focuses on animal health training. Located some 42km north-west of Mthatha, its work benefits the surrounding...
Grain storage in South Africa
Earlier this year, Dr Charl van der Merwe became manager of the Agbiz Grain desk. With nearly 30 years’ experience in grain handling, procurement, market analysis, and strategic development, he...
Solid agricultural equipment sales reflect the healthy conditions of the sector
While the South African livestock industry continues to struggle with foot-and-mouth disease, and considerable work is required to resolve it, other sub sectors are performing reasonably well.
Why South Africans are swapping fibre for signal boosters
Signal boosters are becoming essential in South African homes under the constant threat of load-shedding, while fibre broadband remains unreliable, expensive, and out of reach for most.
Biosecurity: the weakest link in South African agriculture?
The spread of foot-and-mouth disease into some of the country's largest feedlots this year has once again exposed a systemic challenge that threatens to lock our farmers out of global...
Terrestrial network signal solutions: the future of connectivity SA
Satellite Internet may sound futuristic, but in South Africa, it often falls short. Expensive hardware, unpredictable service, and regulatory hurdles make satellite-based providers a risky gamble for businesses and households.
Limpopo agri college offers production training and lab services
Aside from training students in plant and animal production, Madzivhandila College of Agriculture in Limpopo provides soil and water testing services and supports the community with its agro-processing unit.
Groundbreaking agreement to professionalise SA’s logistics sector
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport SA (CILTSA) and the Institute for Customs and Freight Forwarding (ICFF) have signed a landmark memorandum of understanding.
Fort Cox: SA’s first agricultural college to offer forestry course
Amid the forested valleys, pine plantations, and grassy hills of the Eastern Cape’s Amatole District is Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute.
Moringa can transform poultry farming and consumer health
Dr Sharon Nobuhle Lungu, an animal nutrition researcher at the University of Pretoria, says that although moringa offers benefits for sustainable farming and human health, its potential as a poultry...
We’re only food secure when farmers are profitable
Today, agriculture is driven by two global obligations: feeding a growing population and protecting our planet. The overriding message is clear: environmental, social, and governance strategies must enhance profitability.
Grootfontein College of Agriculture: shaping future agri-entrepreneurs
In this first article in Farmer’s Weekly’s series on agricultural training institutions in South Africa, we look at Grootfontein College of Agriculture. This Eastern Cape institution has a strong focus...
South Africa’s rural areas can be developed through agriculture
On 6 August, I delivered the 11th Annual Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Lecture at the University of Limpopo. The theme was the role of agriculture in improving rural development.
Memories of mountain streams
It was vivid childhood memories of fishing the streams of Barkly East that lured Mike Burgess back to spend three glorious years in these dramatic highlands of the Eastern Cape.
Focus on SA trade, but don’t forget biosecurity challenges
Those in government will have to carefully allocate their resources and time, given the many urgent matters that currently demand their attention.
Tapping into the Saalboomspruit’s ‘golden bounty’
Mike Burgess has fished the Saalboomspruit in the Eastern Cape’s Barkly East district for almost four decades. He shares how he has never been disappointed with the exceptional indigenous yellowfish...
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