Opinion

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 sector. He writes here in his personal capacity.

Considering the serious business of farming, the question, ‘does farming make you happy?’ may seem silly and perhaps superfluous.

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 environmental management, takes a closer look at this dire situation.

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 the livestock farming sector by storm.

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 produce it.

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.

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 in farming.

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.

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 Joubert.

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 be wrong.

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.

Every farmer can tell you where the best place is to get good mobile phone reception on his or her farm.