Managing macadamia production when margins are low
Macadamia nut farms have been in dire straits over the past two seasons as prices have dropped and input costs have risen. With little relief on the horizon, orchard management needs to be revised to maintain sustainability. Lindi Botha looks at the options available to farmers to reduce their costs.
read more >>
Water attorney unpacks water-use right considerations for the agriculture sector
This comes as many water-use licences approved under the prior Water Act of 1956 come up for renewal under the provisions of the National Water Act (NWA) of 1998, as well as increased interest from investors such as banks on the legalities of water use
read more >>
Why soya bean is a popular crop in SA
Zunel van Eeden delves into the socioeconomic and agronomic benefits associated with soya bean production, while also addressing the persistent challenges posed by insect pests and diseases that have threatened harvests over the season and which have impacted many producers.
read more >>
Sun-powered farms: Water makes the crops grow
Plants act like solar panels, using sunlight to make food. But they need water to function, just like a factory needs electricity. Learn how water keeps farms productive with Martin Bahnemann, an agronomist at Netafim South Africa.
read more >>
Alternative methods to combat herbicide resistance
The development of herbicide resistance is forcing farmers to incorporate non-chemical management practices in their weed control programmes. Dr Michael Walsh spoke about how it’s done in Australia at a farmers’ day in the Western Cape.
read more >>
Agriculture GDP rebounds strongly in Q1 of 2024 despite headwinds
In a quarter characterised by a plethora of growth constraints such as the El Nino-induced heat wave the decimated crops, loadshedding, and inefficiencies at ports, agriculture still managed to rebound strongly in Q1, 2024.
read more >>
New SA Canegrowers chair calls on govt to fulfil its promise of a sugar tax review
With major sugar mills remaining in business rescue and a possible increase in the Health Promotion Levy (HPL), or sugar tax, still looming, the sustainability of the sugar industry remains under threat, industry body SA Canegrowers has said. It noted that the sugar tax had suppressed the market for locally produced sugar and cost the…
read more >>
Minimum wage for South African farm workers: study shows 2013 hike helped reduce poverty even though compliance was poor
Minimum wage policies are typically aimed at reducing poverty. Yet there is little direct evidence of this effect, especially in developing countries. And none for South Africa.
read more >>
Google and FAO launch new big data tool, Earth Map
Google and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has developed a new tool anyone, anywhere can access to obtain multidimensional maps and statistics showing key climate and environmental trends wherever they are.
read more >>
Managing the domino effect for a quality litchi crop
The process of eating a litchi reveals a greater truth about the fruit’s production: crack the hard part and reap the sweet rewards. While many have opted out of this journey, litchi farmer André Schoeman has continuously placed his bets on the crop, focusing on timing to get maximum returns.
read more >>