Agriculture
latest news & developments
One Man’s View Does Not Dim the Success of Matsamo CPA
In a right of reply, the Matsamo Communal Property Association refutes claims made by Phahlane Group CEO Mbuso Thumbathi, highlighting its proven track record in agricultural…
EU pesticide rule changes raise concerns for South Africa
Scientists warn that proposed rollbacks in EU pesticide regulations could have far-reaching effects, weakening international safety standards and impacting South Africa as it…
Heritage Beyond the Brand
This Heritage Month, HEINEKEN Beverages highlights how brand heritage is rooted in local communities, driving agricultural development, supplier empowerment, and sustainable…
Land is back but prosperity isn't
Thirty years into South Africa's land reform, millions of hectares remain underused due to governance failures in Communal Property Associations. Reforming these structures is…
AgriSETA targets agricultural skills to tackle youth unemployment and food insecurity
AgriSETA CEO Fanny Phetla outlines how targeted agricultural education, digital farming skills and youth-focused business incubators can address South Africa's unemployment and…
As Europe retreats on pesticides, South Africa has a choice
As the European Union reconsiders pesticide safeguards, South Africa has a crucial window to reform its nearly 80-year-old regulatory framework and protect public health and…
El Niño set to strengthen into very strong event, WMO says
The WMO and SAWS warn that El Niño is intensifying into a potentially record-breaking event, bringing severe heatwaves, low rainfall, and elevated drought risks to South Africa…
Africa's Green Revolution failed to deliver promised gains, new assessment finds
A new assessment by researcher Timothy Wise reveals that despite 20 years of efforts and massive funding, the Green Revolution model in Africa has failed to achieve its…
Partnerships for a Water Secure Future
Water security is vital for South Africa's economic resilience, food systems, and public health. Addressing critical infrastructure gaps and driving sustainable agriculture…
Sugar sector feels the squeeze
Rising sugar imports from countries like Brazil and India are threatening thousands of local jobs, sparking urgent calls from industry and labour for the government to fast-track…
Tiny bees, big job: tracking pesticide pollution in Africa’s water
Researchers at the University of Pretoria propose using honey bees as low-cost bioindicators to detect pesticide pollution in sub-Saharan Africa's water, addressing critical gaps…
The IDC-Vision sweet deal deserves scrutiny, not scorn
An examination of the IDC's equity partnership with Vision Sugar Group in Tongaat Hulett reveals a strategic pan-African deal that converted distressed debt into productive…
Foot-and-Mouth Disease: South Africa's quiet business crisis
Foot-and-Mouth Disease is not just a farming issue; it's a profound South African crisis affecting food security, farmers, and the vital informal trading sector, with…
Soil biodiversity: The hidden life beneath our feet
While South Africa's attention is on water shortages and climate change, scientists warn of a critical soil degradation crisis. Over 70% of the country's land is affected,…
While South Africa debates borders, it is losing its breadbasket
South Africa is deeply engrossed in the debate over illegal immigration, but this article argues that a larger economic transformation, particularly concerning the nation's vital…