Opinion

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.

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.

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 put forward a district-based proposal on transferring land to black farmers.

Cheap politicking is a terrible thing. Cheap politicking coupled with ineptitude is even worse.

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 stability.

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 at the Agri SA conference, Johannes Möller pinpointed some areas that need rethinking.

The other day, one of my friends challenged me about the negative tone of my blog, saying my complaints have become so predictable.

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.

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 13 September.

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 kick-start investment in biofuels, says biofuels agricultural advisor Fanie Brink.

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?

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 truth about food is getting to the consumer, asks Lindi van Rooyen.

Oh, the joy of the first springs rains after a dark, cold winter!

South Africa could go down a number of paths in the next five years. Strategist and author Clem Sunter outlined these scenarios at the recent PestBiz congress in Durban.

Australian agricultural journalist David Mason-Jones addresses what every farmer and environmentalist needs to know about livestock and global warming in his recently published book, Should Meat Be on the Menu?

“South African agriculture is a healthy, vibrant industry, and will remain so if we only keep the politicians and politics out of the business.

During a recent parliamentary debate on the National Development Plan, IFP leader and founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi criticised the government over its eagerness to draw up plans for development that are unlikely to be implemented.

Compliance with transformation and ethical codes in agriculture has become a very costly exercise – but it appears that consumers and, especially, retailers are increasingly supporting compliant producers. Phil Bowes, transformation manager for the South African Table Grape Industry, explains how this is playing out for the fruit sector.

What the hell were officials from Mpumalanga’s department of agriculture thinking when they left Drakensberger stud animals at its research facility near Ermelo without food and water?

Many a successful businessperson or professional is turning to farming these days. Veteran agricultural journalist George Nicholas thinks he knows why.