Crops
latest news & developmentsBiosecurity is vital for SA’s successful agricultural growth and export strategy
Frequent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza and African swine fever suggest weakness in biosecurity controls and the effect of climate change
Crop data reaffirms South African agriculture’s recovery path
This could be good for consumers as prices drop.
South Africa’s maize production prospects lowered again
The effects of the mid-summer drought are being felt but the country’s needs should be met with some over for export
SA’s agricultural fortunes contracted in second quarter but a recovery is predicted
The mid-summer drought and animal diseases resulted in reduced crop yields and hurt the poultry, piggery and cattle sectors
South Africa’s 2023 agricultural machinery sales show mixed performance
Crop harvests were good in the 2022-23 season but tractor sales are down by 9%
Why I am optimistic about South Africa’s agricultural outlook in 2024
We are in for another good agricultural season, especially if January and February present favourable rainfall
What underpinned SA’s agricultural underperformance in the third quarter?
There are weaknesses in the country’s biosecurity system, including the measures in place to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases
El Niño, news and reflection
Taking a step back this week, there is still great cause for optimism about 2023-24’s agricultural output
El Niño’s coming but SA’s winter crops may be spared dryness
It will be two to three months before there’s a better understanding of the weather outlook and effect on the next season’s yield
Bricks and biofuels: Cannabis can grow South Africa
Two promising uses of hemp are the manufacturing of “green” biofuels and the building of low-cost and sustainable housing
Dry year leaves Syria wheat farmers facing crop failure
The World Food Programme said in February that a staggering 12.4 million people in Syria were food insecure
Climate crisis threatens future maize production in SA and Lesotho
Climate change not only affects the nutritional value of food crops, but also leaves the food supply system vulnerable to production shocks, study finds