Solar systems: fixing future energy costs
Although South Africa’s electricity prices are low by international standards, they are set to increase annually by 8% over five years. Gregor Kuepper, managing director of SolarWorld Africa, believes that...
Are you a snollygoster?
Snollygoster. What a delightful new word I’ve learnt! A ‘snollygoster’ is someone, especially a politician, who is guided by a desire for personal advantage rather than by consistent, respectable principles,...
How science & technology can benefit SA agriculture
The Department of Science and Technology’s recently released Bio-Economy Strategy outlines research and development initiatives for South African agriculture. A summary follows.
The future for small-scale farmers
Josh Becker, CEO of Impele Consulting Group, offers advice on how small-scale farmers in Africa can be assisted to modernise their farming practices.
Research will put more food on SA’s table
A South African study into the benefits of research proves that research and development is vital to a robust agricultural sector. ARC economist Aart-Jan Verschoor reports.
Disdain and contempt
Jong Boet, some or other clever guy in history once said the people in a democracy deserve the government they get because they voted for it. What balderdash!! Let me...
And so the rains came…
And so the rains have come… blessings in abundance! Genadewater, as we in the Free State like to call it.
Reforming land reform
Land restitution in SA is currently concentrated on the issue of the ‘formerly dispossessed’. This is a recipe for disaster. The focus should be on food security and using land...
Open letter to President Zuma
Dear Mr Zuma: This is Annelie from the Free State. I’m writing on behalf of myself and all the farmers I deal with. In this, your last election year, I...
Africa is on the rise – are you?
Agri-business consultant, Peter Hughes, urges South Africans to set aside their entrenched biases and embrace Africa’s great economic turnaround.
More calls for unity in macadamia sector
As a grower and chairperson of the Southern African Macadamia Growers Association (Samac), I share his frustrations at the apathy of some macadamia growers/handlers who continue to benefit from the...
The good, the bad & the ugly
Boet, I’ve seen many things in my life, but the drought in the North West is the closest I’ve come to hell on earth.
‘FARE’ solutions for Western Cape agri woes
Income tax incentives for farmers providing housing to workers, and greater protection for farm workers’ rights, are some of the recommendations made in a report aimed at finding solutions to...
Skills training is available
An agricultural skills training model is ready, but government take-up is not forthcoming, says education expert Dr Raymond Sparrow.
Amazing Mauritius
Mauritius really is what it’s jacked up to be. I’m not a beach person and I hate being sat down under an umbrella, smothered with suntan lotion.
Botswana’s hunting ban fallout
Hans Vermaak, president of the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (Phasa), explains why he is worried about Botswana’s looming hunting ban.
A billion mouths to feed by 2030 – time to make a plan
By 2030, the world will have one billion more mouths to feed. To meet this growing food need, we require a sustainable, enabling agricultural environment. Can this be achieved in...
Nothing new under the sun
Boeta, with genetics and genomics being the buzzwords of the century, let me tell you the story of Robert Bakewell, the farmer from Leicestershire who transformed the quality of Britain's...
The broadband revolution
Australia is using broadband to revitalise farming. SA is falling behind, warns Santam’s Gerhard Diedericks.
Green Paper update
At the recent National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation’s annual general meeting, Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Gugile Nkwinti spoke about the reasons for some of the department’s...
