How many people can we support?
The planet’s human population is growing at an alarmingly rapid pace, and nobody knows this better than farmers.
More & more farmers are using drones
As I’ve noted before, drones are growing in popularity amongst farmers.
Emerging farmers must be empowered
Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt, a commercial farmer from Setlagole in North West, argues that agricultural transformation is essential for the sustainability of the sector. He stresses, however, that government’s current...
Adopting a farmer-centric approach
I was shocked, but not altogether surprised, to learn recently that farmers’ incomes worldwide have remained significantly lower than the average income in most sectors, often by as much as...
Drought-stricken agriculture sector needs more help!
While Grain SA economist, Wandile Sihlobo, understands that South Africa is experiencing severe financial constraints, he believes that the government needs to prioritise, and increase, funding to its drought-stricken agriculture...
Does farming make you happy?
Considering the serious business of farming, the question, ‘does farming make you happy?’ may seem silly and perhaps superfluous.
South Africa, wake up and smell the water!
Increasing demand, pollution, poor management structures and crumbling sewerage infrastructure could spell catastrophe for South Africa’s freshwater supply. Prof Anthony Turton, professor at University of the Free State’s centre for...
How a Fitbit for cows can change dairy farms for the better
Wearable technology like the Fitbit is all the rage amongst tech-savvy fitness fanatics these days, and if a small Pakistani tech firm has its way, something similar may soon take...
No more cheap food
Food should not be cheap. It should be valued and appreciated because of the scarce resources used during the production process, and because of the effort and risk taken to...
Calling on our commercial and mega farmers
Developing South Africa’s emerging farmers will only be successful if the country’s commercial and mega farming sectors become involved, says Nick Serfontein, chairperson of the Sernick Group.
The right kind of growth in agriculture
Last week, I wrote about the crucial role that the development of rural infrastructure plays in creating the type of living environment that would attract young people to a career...
Conquer the heights with the Agribot
Not all farms consist solely of flat land filled with maize. Many have hillsides that are difficult to keep free of toxic weeds or impossible to access by vehicle.
Why the use of draft animals must start gaining traction
Promoting and supporting the use of draft animals will have significant consequences for the empowerment of emerging farmers and the communities in which they live, says animal traction expert, Bruce...
Encroaching bush, grass threaten SA farming
Prof William Bond, chief scientist at the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), explains why earlier predictions about changes to South Africa’s biomes due to climate change turned out to...
Freshwater disaster
The scope and impact of the El Niño-fuelled drought, which is resulting in a food crisis across Southern Africa, has been well-documented by this publication and others.
New generation of farmers wanted
Every farmer can tell you where the best place is to get good mobile phone reception on his or her farm.
Can’t peform your own repairs? Think again
’n Boer maak ’n plan. And this site makes it even easier to do so,
Challenges and opportunities for SA’s red meat producers
The current drought and other difficulties are dominating conversation among South Africa’s red meat producers, but Dr Pieter Prinsloo, second vice-chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, reminds us of...
Time to declare a national disaster!
The good rains that came before Easter were just enough to cover some of South Africa’s parched areas in a thin veil of green, but the relief was fleeting.
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