The ongoing battle for sustainable land reform in SA
Government’s many land reform policies and legislation may be intimidating for South Africa’s commercial farmers, but organised agriculture is striving to ensure that these are developed and implemented fairly. Sandy la Marque, CEO of the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union, explains.
Energy-saving efficiency
Grain farm operating expenses have increased steadily over the past decade, with the high costs of inputs, especially electricity, becoming one of the most serious challenges facing farmers. But the sector has great potential for efficiency improvements, says Andrew Etzinger, senior general manager at Eskom’s Integrated Demand Management department.
Selling out our green heritage
South Africa needs a new champion to nurture the bond between people and planet, and fight off corporate greed, says writer and researcher Glenn Ashton.
Walk like an African
Africa is brimming with business opportunities, says African specialist Victor Kgomoeswana. He set out some of these, with advice on doing business on the continent, to agribusiness leaders at Standard Bank’s agribusiness lunch in Durban recently.
Getting to grips with glyphosate
Glyphosate has its supporters and detractors. Dr Charlie Reinhardt examines the science behind the world’s most widely used herbicide.
Revised bill remains unlawful
The revised Expropriation Bill, like its earlier versions, allows the State to seize property without a prior court order. This is unconstitutional, says Dr Anthea Jeffery of the Institute for Race Relations.
Why conservation agriculture must be promoted in SA
In contrast to other parts of the world, like the Americas, the use of conservation agriculture methods in South Africa is still relatively limited. It is vital that this situation be remedied urgently, says Richard Findlay of the KZN No-Till Club.
Guided by economic realities
After so many false starts, we have surely learned enough lessons about land reform to start making the right decisions, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Imported products are cheap, but far from cheerful
Buying imported products because they are cheaper than locally produced products makes economic sense, right? Kevin Lovell, CEO of the SA Poultry Association, explains why it doesn’t.
There’s little space to swing the fiscal cat…
SA’s low growth expectations, crumbling infrastructure and increasing social burden means that minister Nhlanhla Nene must take some brave decisions, says Agbiz economist Lindie Stroebel.
We’re in the same team – Cyril Xaba
Cyril Xaba, KZN MEC for the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, facilitated an historic meeting in January between his department and KZN commercial commodity organisations. Here he presented his new strategy for agribusiness in the province.
Organic vs GM crops in Africa
GM crops are no instant solution for feeding Africa, but neither is pure organic farming. The solution lies somewhere in between. So says Dr Charlie Reinhardt, extraordinary professor in weed science at the University of Pretoria and dean of Villa Crop Protection’s Villa Academy.
