By Invitation

Given enough opportunity, women entrepreneurs can increase economic growth in Africa, according to Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Agency. She was speaking at the recent second conference for Women in Agribusiness in Durban.

Climate change alarmism is profoundly influencing policymakers. Yet some experts question the received wisdom on the issue, and worry that current policies can cause harm. Environmental specialist, Dr John Ledger, addressed the issue at the De Beers Diamond Route Conference.

Gerhard Damm, the editor of African Indaba, Conservation Force’s African newsletter, reviews some of the points raised in a recent online debate concerning hunting as a conservation tool.

To make it in the market these days, you have to know exactly who your customer is and satisfy her specific demands. A ‘shotgun’ approach to marketing will get you nowhere. This was the message of Dr Johan van Deventer, managing director of Freshmark, speaking at the Undercover Farming Conference held at Simondium in the Western Cape recently.

Namibia’s commercial farmers have endured hardship over the past year, with their resilience tested by a harsh extended drought and ongoing foot-and-mouth disease. Derek Wright, exiting president of the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU), paid them tribute at the official opening of the 2015 NAU congress in Windhoek.

The International Renewable Energy Agency recently released its Africa 2030: Roadmap for a Renewable Energy Future report. The report details the fact that Africa has significant potential to implement renewable energy – and can benefit greatly from the technology.

The Transvaal Agricultural Union of South Africa (TAU SA) requested Frans Cronje from the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR) to draw up a policy brief on how to safeguard the future of commercial farming in South Africa.

Soil plays a critical role in the survival of people, plants and animals, yet is vastly underappreciated by the world at large. Victor Roberts, specialist soil scientist at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, explains why this situation must change.

Ryno du Toit, business development executive at Risk Benefit Solutions (RBS), an independent insurance and risk specialist, stresses the importance of mitigating risk in the agricultural sector.

Agriculture should remain progressive and proactive if it is to ride out the storm, Kwanalu’s outgoing president, Mike Black, said at the union’s recent congress in Pietermaritzburg.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is reviewing its 2011 Rural Safety Strategy in a series of stakeholder workshops held around the country. Brigadier Judith le Roux, section head of proactive policing and crime reduction, explained why a review was necessary at the recent 2015 Agri North West congress held in Lichtenburg, North West.

Unlocking SA’s full agricultural production and processing potential is one of the ‘Big Five’ options to accelerate growth and job creation, according to a new McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) report.