Quo vadis South African agriculture?
The National Development Plan (Vision 2030) presents a way forward for agriculture, recognising the importance of commercial and smallholder farming and advocating a pragmatic, engaged approach, explains John Purchase, CEO...
Is Zuma trading land for votes?
Atholl Trollip, DA spokesperson for rural development, believes that President Jacob Zuma might be using the Masibambisane initiative to garner support for his upcoming party leadership battle.
Friersdale’s prize-winning library
Friersdale in the Northern Cape is a small hamlet on the banks of the Orange River, roughly between Keimoes and Kakamas.
De Doorns: will we heed the lessons?
Management consultant, experienced farmer and regular Farmer’s Weekly columnist Peter Hughes stresses the importance of building good relationships with one’s employees and paying fair wages.
Focus on animal health to reduce antibiotic use in livestock
The negative consequences of the widespread, and sometimes indiscriminate, use of antibiotics in livestock production are of growing concern as it could lead to antibiotic resistance. Dr Hans-Joachim Götz, president...
A Free State Christmas braai
How I wish I could have invited all of you to the real Vrystaat Christmas braai we’ve just had. Especially after the rains, it was a particularly festive occasion for...
Reflections on De Doorns
There is a great need for change in a society where the gap between rich and poor grows ever wider. Luke Metelerkamp looks at possible reasons behind the recent destructive,...
Land reform: it’s time to act
Uncertainty over land reform prevails while government dithers. Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape’s agriculture minister, says that instead of formulating more plans, government must stick to what works.
Hoping against hope
Let me tell you what true helplessness is. It’s not merely an emotion or a feeling – it’s something palpable, something you can see and smell, and hear.
Radical new land reform plan: the president’s address
President Jacob Zuma, in his keynote address at the recent Afasa AGM, emphasised that ongoing engagement between government and farmers would help to develop government’s vision for agriculture. He also...
Agri-labour unrest – enough fighting talking!
Cheap politicking is a terrible thing. Cheap politicking coupled with ineptitude is even worse.
Co-operation: key to success
Agriculture holds promise – provided that all ages and races are brought into the sector. Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson told the Agri SA Congress that co-operation was vital for sustainability and...
Rethink required for agricultural success
The government and farmers need to shift their paradigm to achieve the objectives of a stable, food secure and safe future for all South Africans. In delivering his presidential address...
Seek out SA’s good news
The other day, one of my friends challenged me about the negative tone of my blog, saying my complaints have become so predictable.
The value of valuers
The SA Institute of Valuers (SAIV) agrees with Tshepo Diale (24 February) and Andrew Emslie (8 June) that the current land reform process leaves much to be desired.
Farmers must lobby govt, now
With the current global financial turmoil and concern over food security, it’s time to press government for support, Kwanalu president Brian Aitken said at the union’s congress in Pietermaritzburg on...
Boosting the biofuels industry
The energy minister recently gazetted the mandatory blending of biofuels at minimum concentrations of 5% for biodiesel and 2% to 10% for bio-ethanol. Once outstanding issues are resolved, this should...
In love with the Namib
How is it possible that a vast expanse of rock and sand, and very little else, can utterly captivate one’s heart, never to let it go again?
Who’s educating consumers?
Ill-informed consumers who demand less crop protection chemicals and have irrational fears of genetically modified food are a risk to farmer’s survival. Who is taking responsibility to ensure that the...
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