South African groundwater project shows the power of citizen science
This is especially so in remote areas, such as the part of South Africa’s Limpopo province where a research project called Diamonds on the Soles of their Feet is taking place.
read more >>
Integrated pest management: Taking care of crop protectors
ntegrated pest management has become an increasingly popular means of protecting crops against damage from pests such as weeds and insects, and is being driven by, among other factors, the growing resistance to a purely chemical approach to crop protection. Annelie Coleman spoke to several experts to find out more.
read more >>
Southern African nations need to up their groundwater management game
Ideally, countries should take an integrated approach to water resource management to help reduce strain on specific water resources while also extending the lifespan of a region’s water supply. Crucially, it involves efficiently managing surface and groundwater resources in tandem. Many African countries tend to mismanage their groundwater resources. In many instances it’s over exploited…
read more >>
SCA ruling allows for trade of water use entitlements
In the recent case of Lotter NO v Minister of Water and Sanitation and Others (8 November 2021), the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) found that section 25 of the National Water Act allows for the transfer of water use entitlements.
read more >>
Managing irrigation of fruit when water is scarce
Water availability has become one of the greatest limiting factors in agricultural production in South Africa. Johan Kotzé, director of Dutoit Agri Eastern Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how the company is managing this problem and producing more fruit per litre of water used.
read more >>
What to learn from the recent SA Crop Estimates Committee’s release?
This past week, the national Crop Estimates Committee released its update on South Africa’s 2020/21 summer crop production forecasts and the 2021/22 winter crop production.
read more >>
Managing irrigation of fruit when water is scarce
Water availability has become one of the greatest limiting factors in agricultural production in South Africa. Johan Kotzé, director of Dutoit Agri Eastern Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how the company is managing this problem and producing more fruit per litre of water used.
read more >>
Is South Africa doing enough to avert a water crisis?
As South Africa battles the third wave of Covid-19 vaccinations and amidst the chaos, destruction and looting that has taken place in parts of South Africa in recent weeks it’s easy to forget another looming catastrophe: a water crisis with potentially devastating consequences.
read more >>
Precision farming pays off for KZN potato producer
Growing and marketing potatoes for maximum profit can be complex, as there is a narrow window for obtaining the highest prices. To ensure his business gets its timing right, GoldenGrow owner Graeme Jarvie employs a ‘less is more’ approach, where the business stays well within its capabilities and so runs smoothly.
read more >>
How to balance draining fields with holding onto nitrogen
Purdue University researchers conducted a three-decade-long experiment to find out how different farming practices and drainage strategies affect crop growth and nitrogen loss from fields.
read more >>