
A thriving agricultural sector requires stability in Southern Africa
The unrest in Mozambique plus restrictions on trade need to be resolved for South Africa and other countries in the region to boost agricultural production
The unrest in Mozambique plus restrictions on trade need to be resolved for South Africa and other countries in the region to boost agricultural production
Better dam levels and a stable electricity supply for irrigation will continue to benefit the horticulture sub-sector and floriculture
Agriculture ministers in Southern Africa should encourage knowledge sharing so countries can boost production
Livestock disease such as foot-and-mouth has been brought under control in most provinces through strengthened farm biosecurity controls and surveillance
A report by the US agriculture department raised this possibility, but South Africa’s maize harvest is well above the annual needs
Food prices should continue to slow into next year, with the possible exception of white maize
Improvements in the livestock and horticulture sectors may have boosted job prospects in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, North West, Gauteng and Limpopo
The government and private sector’s efforts in boosting agriculture in various regions of South Africa must be matched with the same drive to expand export market
Slightly high prices and lower input costs, as well as the prospect of good rain will probably driving this
As well as finding new markets, the country should focus on nurturing existing ones