Opinion

These past weeks have seen the release of two of the most prominent decision-making tools for the farming sector: the local and global 10-year outlooks for the agricultural sector, published by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) respectively.

There is something about the utter absurdity of watching President Jacob Zuma stand in front of an audience of honest, hard-working South Africans, saying things like, “Funds that are allocated for public services must be used for public services and nothing else”, and “Nobody is above the law in our country” that deepens the frown lines on my forehead and causes me to exhale uneasily.

On a recent visit to Cape Town, I experienced what Capetonians have been coming to grips with over the past few months: learning how to drastically curb daily water usage.

In an article in this week's issue (28 July 2017) of Farmer's Weekly, former finance minister and current ANC MP, Pravin Gordhan, urges farmers to “make the first move” and “get the ball rolling” on transformation in the agricultural sector

Independent consumer researcher, Nadia van der Kolf, urges farmers to keep consumer trends in mind when planning production expansion.

Consumers face a barrage of confusing, sometimes dubious, claims on food labels. This could end up harming consumer trust in the food value chain, and substantially damaging the industry and the environment.

Since October 2016, half the world’s population has been connected to the Internet. However, at only 30%, the number of connected people in Africa is still lower than the world average.

The farming sector generally views population growth as an opportunity rather than a challenge.

Up to 30% of crop yields are lost worldwide each year due to plant diseases and pests, says Simone Strey, CEO of Peat.

A survey by Agri SA and its provincial affiliates has started to lift the lid on the extent of corruption that occurred during the allocation and spending of money intended to support drought relief efforts.

Dr André Mentz, animal scientist and author of the book, Ecological Cattle Farming – A roadmap to sustainable cattle farming, says that ecologically friendly beef cattle production is now more important than ever, yet is largely ignored in favour of intensive systems. This is to the detriment of both the producer and the sector at large.

During May, I visited both the NAMPO Harvest Day agricultural show in Bothaville and the Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg, and one thing that was abundantly clear to me at both these events was the enthusiasm for farming amongst young people.

South Africa has long traded on its self-proclaimed status of being the gateway for foreign investment into Africa.

The release of disaster relief funds is a contentious issue in South Africa, writes Dr Christo Coetzee, researcher and lecturer at the North-West University’s African Centre for Disaster Management. According to him, the country needs a proactive approach to disaster relief to ensure a sustainable, profitable agricultural industry, and to safeguard food security.

The South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association (SA Hunters) has proposed a number of amendments to the norms and standards for controlling damage-causing animals under the National Environmental Management, Biodiversity Act. Public comment was invited by Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa.

The most frustrating aspect of the current status of the land reform process is the total lack of any clear plan or vision for the road ahead.

I was recently paid a visit by an Eastern Cape farmer who is an ardent reader of the Farmer’s Weekly. You might know him better as the secretary-general of the ANC.

To capture the increasingly discerning consumer market, farmers have to learn how to use public relations and social media strategies effectively. Public relations expert and journalist, Brian Berkman, provides some valuable insights.

Feeding the global population nutritiously and sustainably by 2030 will require unprecedented innovation and coordination by all stakeholders, according to a report by the World Economic Forum’s System Initiative on Shaping the Future of Food Security and Agriculture.

Every time I hear the news of another farm attack, I immediately stop and phone my parents to reassure myself that they are safe.