Opinion

Concern has often been expressed over the government’s perceived reluctance to give the National Development Plan its full commitment. Professor Mohammed Karaan, Dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences at the University of Stellenbosch, offers his views on how to make the NDP come alive.

Any child psychologist will tell you that a person’s character is formed during the first five years or so after birth.

Agtag covers a wide range of agricultural topics and is a pleasure to use.

Farming is complex, as Rian van Wyk of Jagtdrift Brangus Stud told us this week.

A number of stock farmers have been using Anatolian guard dogs to deter predators rather than kill them. The results are mixed. The decision of Woolworths to sell predator-friendly lamb has raised the issue yet again. Human wildlife conflict manager Thys de Wet takes a closer look at guard dogs.

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Well done to the organisers of the Pietermaritzburg Royal show for yet another splendid event. In its 165th year, the show manages to stay true to its character while keeping up with the times.

Smaller farmers struggle to sustainably produce large quantities of quality crops and get them to market. The ‘cluster farming’ concept is changing that, says Diale Mokgojwa of Standard Bank.

Although designed for use in Kenya, iCow is a helpful app for SA smallholders.

A recent trip to Cape Town saw me attending two events with vastly different outlooks.The first was a panel discussion on food security held as part of a conference organised by Food Hospitality World (FHW).

SAA’s decision to ban the transportation of certain hunting trophies will have serious repercussions for South Africa’s hunting industry, especially now that Emirates is to follow suit.

This app seeks to empower small-scale farmers everywhere.

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.

Upon returning from a visit to the Bosveld Sitrus group in Letsitele in Limpopo with the Agricultural Writers of South Africa, I was infused with optimism about the future of agriculture in the country.

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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.

Throughout the 104-year existence of Farmer’s Weekly, our readers have turned to us for advice on agricultural issues. Currently, the most frequently asked questions are: “Where can buy a farm?” and “What do I farm?”

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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.