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Industry leaders agree that the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana, demonstrates a healthy interest in agricultural matters, but is not particularly proficient in implementing policies for the sector.

The Romagnola cattle breed is a relatively new entrant to Namibia, but is set to add great value to the country’s beef production industry in the long term. Annelie Coleman visited Babette Stöck and Andreas Wiese, owners of Ongeama Romagnolas near Windhoek, to find out more.

Agriculture can sustainably make use of wetlands; it is not a case of not utilising them at all, but rather using them wisely.

The Stilbaai and Riversdale farming communities are faced with a grazing crisis following a veld fire that affected almost 40 farms in the region.

Mutton and lamb produced in South Africa are highly nutritious, and misconceptions that these meat classes are fatty and detrimental to consumers’ health must be allayed, says Marina Bester of Lamb and Mutton South Africa. She spoke to Annelie Coleman about the organisation’s campaign to promote mutton and lamb consumption.

For South Africa to continue making a significant contribution to poverty alleviation in sub-Saharan Africa, the agricultural sector needs to thrive. According to Hamlet Hlomendlini, senior economist at Agri SA, this can be achieved if government, businesses, policymakers, civil society and farmers stand together and put politics aside for the betterment and transformation of the industry.

Grain SA’s Grain Producer of the Year 2016, Jozua du Plessis, was one of the first grain producers in South Africa to implement precision farming practices in the late 1990s. He spoke to Gerhard Uys about how precision farming, coupled with conventional cultivation methods and a keen eye for opportunities, is the key to his successful and sustainable operation.

The drought still dominates wine production in South Africa and may yet have a significant impact on the 2017 vintage.

South Africa’s farmers have little choice: they must adapt in order to limit the effects of climate change on livestock production and animal health, according to experts.

The recent widespread rain in the western parts of SA’s summer grain production region has changed the scenery from a virtual desert to a lush environment. Annelie Coleman reports.

Zimbabwe is currently battling an outbreak of armyworm that has affected seven of the country’s eight rural provinces.

The use of trademarks, patents and plant breeders’ rights can make an agricultural business more competitive locally and internationally. Gerhard Uys spoke to David Cochrane and Madelein Kleyn about the application processes involved and the implementation.