Earthworms contribute to nearly 7% of the world’s annual grain yield
Grains trust: In addition to their contribution to the world’s annual grain yield, earthworms also contribute to the production of over 140 million metric tonnes of legumes each year.
read more >>
Rising costs takes its toll on the blueberry industry
Blueberry producers internationally are consolidating and using new technologies and genetics to survive the price cost squeeze, according to the recently released Global State of the Blueberry Industry Report 2023.
read more >>
Benefit from agrochemicals, but avoid the hazards!
Agrochemicals are often used as a scapegoat for agriculture’s impact on the environment, yet these chemicals do not by definition harm the environment, and they play an important part in food production, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn of CropLife South Africa.
read more >>
Erroneous citrus black spot classification threatens exports
First, it was false codling moth, and now the EU using citrus black spot (CBS) as an excuse to block citrus exports from South Africa.
read more >>
Well-managed dams and smart forecasting can limit flooding in a world of extreme storms.
As rising global temperatures make extreme storms more common, the nation’s dams and reservoirs – crucial to keeping communities dry – are being tested. California and states along the Mississippi River have faced similar flood control challenges in 2023. Managing these flood control systems is a careful balancing act. Do managers release water to make room for the storm’s runoff, increasing…
read more >>
Meet the 12-year-old ‘farmer’, who is already planting seeds to tackle food insecurity
Fred Junior, 12, is a farming prodigy in the North West.
read more >>
Preventing and controlling diseases of sunflowers
Diseases of sunflowers, such as brown rust and head rot, can cause severe economic losses for farmers. Janine Ryan looks at the signs of these and other diseases that can help farmers to identify them, as well as some control and prevention strategies.
read more >>
Farming robot kills 200,000 weeds per hour with lasers
A person can weed about one acre of crops a day. This smart robot can weed two per hour.
read more >>
Sustainable farming has great potential in Africa. Why does it face so many roadblocks?
Adopting sustainable farming practices can help improve crop yields while reducing costs for farming and can even limit climate impacts and boost economic growth, but it will require a mindset change, writes Luke Gomes.
read more >>
The award-winning cucumber farmer who’s focused on the future
Planning and forward thinking are important in farming, says Kobela Mokgohloa, the owner of Korema Farm in Winterveldt near Pretoria. He spoke to Magda du Toit about how he grew his cucumber production, as well as his plans for the future.
read more >>