Smallholders’ role in protecting our forests
According to a new report, smallholders and indigenous peoples can be effective forest managers, as they occupy nearly half of the world’s forest and farm landscapes and are often invested...
Farmers hold together the fabric of society
I have made no secret of the fact that I find the world’s treatment of farmers deplorable. This treatment of the people who produce our food and the fibre for...
What does the future hold for agricolleges?
Education is vital to the transformation of South Africa’s agriculture industry, as well as the country’s economic growth. However, many agricultural colleges are in disarray. Magda du Toit reports on...
A vaccine bank could reduce disease panic
Dr Baty Dungu believes South Africa should take lessons from countries that have been using stockpiles for years to ensure adequate vaccine supplies before outbreaks occur.
Food production: the intuitive farmer is the farmer of the future
Justin Platt, founder and managing director of agricultural technical services companies Zylem and RegenZ, says that farmers don’t need more knowledge, but rather better ‘knowing’.
COP27: a lot of hot air, with little action
The UN’s Conference of the Parties (COP27) ran from 6 to 18 November and was held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. On the agenda, as always, was climate change.
Financial solutions that can bolster food security in Africa
Given the complexities facing the agriculture sector, it seems that the road ahead will be impossible to navigate without both the financial support and expertise of banking institutions and financiers,...
Fertiliser alternatives can improve crop yields
Chemical fertilisers are a major contributor to poor soil and loss of biodiversity. In this article, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations looks at environmentally friendly alternatives.
The importance of global trade
With countries adopting more protectionist policies due to rising fears of a global food crisis, this report discusses the importance and need for world trade in agricultural commodities.
‘Zero Hunger’ by 2030: a goal becomes a mirage
The number of people affected by hunger and undernourishment around the world is expected to remain high even up to 2030, largely due to the lingering impact of the COVID-19...
Can alternative food sources feed the world’s growing population?
A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations looks at alternative food options that could be used to feed the world’s growing population. However, as the...
How to boost innovation in African agriculture
While sub-Saharan Africa is ready and willing to adopt digital solutions to improve agricultural production, this region still needs to overcome many barriers.
Regenerative farming’s role in food security
By implementing regenerative practices, South African maize farmers have the power to help prevent a food security crisis, say researchers Mary Maluleke and Prof James Blignaut.
The trends driving global tea production
Innovation and premium brands characterise the tea market, which is attracting a growing number of young buyers, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
‘Free’ the private sector – and watch SA thrive!
The buck stops with government, whose policymakers should stop scapegoating and allow South Africa’s economy to flourish in a free market, writes Temba Nolutshungu of the Free Market Foundation.
Logistics: the weak link in SA’s raisin industry
Ideal climatic conditions and access to irrigation have helped to propel South Africa’s raisin industry to ever-greater heights. But deficient logistics infrastructure and a lack of processing capacity are hampering...
How Namibia’s farmers have fared amid COVID-19 and other challenges
In a recent report, the Namibia Agricultural Union outlined the state of that country’s agriculture sector, and how it has been affected by COVID-19 and other factors.
Groundwater: key to Africa’s agri potential
Groundwater is an essential tool in agricultural production. However, it remains an untapped resource in Africa, as this recently published report shows.
Energy storage can enhance SA agriculture
Energy-related challenges pose a significant obstacle to the agriculture sector’s continued growth in South Africa, says Abraham Cambridge, founder and CEO of The Sun Exchange, which specialises in solar-energy projects.
Captive breeding and wildlife trafficking
According to a UN report, there is evidence that captive breeding is being used in some instances as a guise for the illegal trafficking of wildlife and their body parts.
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