The drought in Zambia and other countries in southern Africa presents an opportunity for stakeholders and farmers to reconsider the importance of insurance. This is according to Choolwe Sianyinda, chief operating officer of Hollard in Zambia, who said insurance can play a crucial role in providing a safety net to protect against such disasters. Choolwe […]
In celebration of Youth Month in June, Land Bank has reaffirmed its dedication to assisting young people in agriculture through a range of programmes. Themba Rikhotso, CEO of Land Bank, says the aim is to support the active participation of black producers and majority black-owned enterprises in South Africa’s agricultural value chains. “We are proud […]
Jacto’s focus on providing excellent solutions for every farmer, alongside outstanding customer service, makes its stand at Nampo a must for farmers in the market for quality sprayers and spreaders. The Brazilian company Jacto has been involved in the South African market for more than 30 years and is popular among farmers for good reason. […]
Production conditions are currently ideal, but be proactive and prepare for the possibility of a drought associated with a super El Niño. This can prevent a later debt trap. For the 2023-24 season, a super El Niño phenomenon is predicted. There have been four such super events in the past 50 years – in 1972-73, […]
We look at the bacterial pathogens that can cause disease in potato plants and tubers. Yield losses and reduced cosmetic value are 2 of the detrimental effects bacterial diseases can have in the potato industry. Of these, Ralstonia solanacearum (bacterial wilt), Pectobacterium spp, Dickeya spp (previously known as Erwinia spp) and Streptomyces spp (common scab) are the most important in South Africa. BACTERIAL […]
If you’re a farmer – new or already established – producing crops, you need to know how to handle and store pesticides and chemicals safely and how to protect your workers, and yourself, while doing so. IT IS THE DUTY OF THE EMPLOYER, IN THIS CASE THE FARMER, TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A SAFE, HEALTHY […]
The freeze-drying machine at Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) which broke down about two years ago, will be repaired by June. After that, the company will be able to “produce vaccines at full steam” again. Luvuyo Mabombo, the interim Chief Executive Officer of OBP, said at a media event at the company’s head offices that experts […]
Organisers and hosts of the already much-anticipated 2023 Royal Show are determined that this year’s event, which will be the last at its historic location in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, will be “a grand and memorable occasion” for participants and visitors alike. Excitement is mounting among South Africa’s agriculturists and their supporters as the 2023 Royal Show, […]
The South African Reserve Bank’s newest attempt to tighten the belt can be felt in consumers’ wallets and farmers’ operations, says Paul Makube, a senior agriculture economist from FNB Agriculture. The repo rate currently stands at the highest it has been in the past 13 years after it was increased to 7,75% last week. Subsequently, […]
Research done by the KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture Union (Kwanalu) found that the province’s rural employment and economy are being threatened by the demands of the new national minimum wage. The 9,6% increase in the national minimum wage that recently took effect does not consider the “considerable pressure” it places on the South African agricultural sector in […]
