Indholdsfortegnelse for 28 June 2024 i Farmer's Weekly

At the time of writing this column, a good friend of mine was less than a month away from a milestone birthday. (I promised I wouldn't reveal her age!) At the same time, she was only a few weeks into a new job, and not merely with a new employer: in fact, she had entered a new industry altogether. My first reaction to the news of her complete occupation about-face went a little something like this: “What?! At this stage of your career? And in this economic climate?” Where am I going with all this, you might be asking? Well, when I sat back and thought about the rather significant decision my friend had made about her life and her future, not to mention her family's, it occurred to me…

Nedbank is proud to have contributed R6,5 million for 20 young South Africans through its Enterprise and Supplier Development programme to participate in the Enterprising Africa Regional Network (EARN) Agripreneur Development Programme, with the first cohort entering the initiative in September 2023. The programme boasts a comprehensive 360° curriculum that is created to equip young Africans with the necessary technical and business skills to develop their own profitable, sustainable and growth-oriented commercial agribusinesses. The first three months of the programme are known as the Activate Phase, which begins with a comprehensive assessment and candidate selection process, followed by intensive on-site skills development dedicated to practical business experience and insight into the technical nature of agribusiness. It also includes investment readiness training and the creation of an initial development plan, which…

Most of us expected the 2024 elections to be significant, to be different, and to be very important in our democratic history since 1994, but nobody expected the outcome that we eventually received. We expected the ANC to dip below 50% but not to end up at 40%. We expected the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) to get some support in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), but very few were ready for the almost 15% of national support that it received, least of all the EFF, which dropped below 10% of the voting public. The DA surprised most by gaining votes back from the FF Plus that they had lost in 2019. The DA also solidified its support in the cities and large towns, ending up with 22% of the vote and making it,…

Omnia Holdings Ltd improved margins and sustained profitability despite a substantial decline in commodity prices and volatile market conditions. According to the JSE-listed company's recently released annual results for the full year ended 31 March 2024, revenue decreased 16% to R22 219 million (FY23: R26 572 million) while operating profit fell by 10% to R1 703 million (FY23: R1 899 million). The operating margin increased by 7% to 7,7% (FY23: 7,1%), annual profit by 1% to R1 163 million (FY23: R1 152 million), net cash position by 27% to R2 301 million (FY23: R1 818 million), and the net asset value by 6% to R10 820 million (FY23: R10 255 million). Earnings per share increased 2% to 705 cents (FY23: 692 cents), while headline earnings per share declined 6% to…

Dead fish in their thousands have covered the surface of the Bustillos Lagoon in the northern Mexico state of Chihuahua, with locals placing the blame on a severe drought. The deaths occurred during lengthy dry spells and temperatures that had risen above 40°C, and officials have said that the lagoon's water level has dropped dangerously low. According to government data, nearly 90% of Mexico is currently experiencing some form of drought, the highest rate since 2011. Chihuahua state has been severely affected. Irma de la Pena, head of the city of Cuauhtémoc's ecology department, said there was currently much less water in the lagoon for fish to live in, and what remained was of poor quality. “When the amount of water decreases, the pollutants become more concentrated and, therefore, they…

Agricultural machinery manufacturer Case IH launched its theme for 2024, ‘Feel at home with technology’, at this year's Nampo Harvest Day. The company's objective with this new theme is to introduce the South African agriculture sector to the benefits of technology and how it can enhance long-term sustainability and profitability. This was according to Case IH Southern Africa managing director Stephan Nel, who said the company wanted to help farmers understand the value of the latest technology and assist them in the implementation of leading technological development and innovation. ‘IMPLEMENTING TECHNOLOGY ALSO INCLUDES SOMETHING AS BASIC AS THE COLLECTION OF DATA’ Speaking at the 2024 Agbiz Congress at Sun City, North West, in early June, Nel said: “Technology is the adoption of scientific knowledge in terms of mechanisation, equipment development…

Zimbabwe expects its 2024 wheat harvest to be another record-breaker, with producers planting 86 000ha to wheat at the beginning of June compared with 80 000ha last season. The country's production target this year is 420 000t of the cereal. In 2023, a record yield of 375 000t was achieved. With the record harvest last year and a positive outlook for this year, Zimbabwe is one step closer to wheat self-sufficiency, The Zimbabwe Mail reported. In 2022, the demand for wheat in that country stood at 360 000t. This meant that until recently, Zimbabwe had to import wheat from South Africa, Latvia, Russia and Ukraine, among other countries. The 2023 surplus, combined with the surplus expected this year, will put Zimbabwe on the road to food self-sufficiency. According to John…

Deciduous fruit farms suffer huge financial losses each year due to the bruising of fruit. Fruit pickers are often blamed because other processes are not monitored for these injuries. Investigations into the causes of bruising at Dutoit Agri, however, have revealed that workers are not the biggest contributors to these losses. Dutoit Agri technical adviser Willie Kotze said at the Hortgro Technical Symposium, held recently in Somerset West, that he had examined the percentage of bruising caused by workers multiple times and the results had been consistent. “The workers are told, without warning, to leave the bins on the ground or the picking trailers. I then physically unpack every single fruit and count all the bruised fruit. I have counted and recounted but damage usually ranges between 2% and 4%…

South African farmers are known as very stubborn individuals with an ‘I am the boss on this farm and nobody tells me what to do on my farm’ outlook. Well-known Theunissen farmer, the late Koos Pienaar, used to say that there are some farmers who pushed their own prams while they were babies. This viewpoint served farmers well while they were busy opening up the country for farming and in their struggles with indigenous people and amongst themselves. This ‘baas van my plaas’ attitude does not work well in an environment where the consumer demands that the food and fibre they buy must be produced in what the consumer perceives as a sustainable way. GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES South African industries and especially the export sector took up the challenge to…

Modern precision farming equipment, data-evaluation programmes, and digitalisation are paving the way for the introduction of altered cultivation practices on the one hand, but on the other, they also dramatically increase the complexity of running a farming operation. The relationship between a farmer and researcher or agronomist is also changing and becoming more complex. One of the oldest and most labour-intensive activities in the world is now changing rapidly into a smart, data-driven industry. To keep pace with the changes, farmers are also compelled to embrace this digital, connectivity-fuelled transformation in agriculture in order to address production, marketing, traceability, and sustainability challenges. One can safely say that the agriculture sector is in the midst of a revolution, where artificial intelligence (AI), data and analytics are at the centre. The industry…

While it's obvious from the outset which iconic adventure-focused vehicle the Grenadier was created to replicate, most testers agreed that the Ineos boasts an altogether more resolved, sturdier stance compared with the admittedly dated original Defender. A non-negotiable in terms of the new vehicle's exterior packaging was the ability to retrofit any number of accessories. To this end, together with flat surfaces and myriad mounting points, the Grenadier package is highly customisable. If the Grenadier's exterior takes inspiration from the since-discontinued original Defender, the interior is inspired by way of its originality. There's a lot to take in, particularly in terms of the layout of buttons and switches on both the centre console and roof panel, but our inner child rejoiced at the prospect of navigating this beautifully crafted set-up.…

Scientists are exploring the use of nanotechnology in agriculture to address the world's increasing food demands. ScienceDaily reports that, in a recent review paper in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, scientists from the University of California, Riverside (UCR), and Carnegie Mellon University highlight some well-known strategies for improving agriculture with nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is a broad term for the study and design of microscopic objects that are around 100 000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Through nanotechnology, medicines can now be targeted to specific areas in the body where they are needed most. However, this application hasn't yet been used on a large scale in plant science. “Studies predict we will need to increase food production by up to 60% in 2050 relative to 2020 levels. Right now,…

Crash and Burn: A CEO's Crazy Adventures in the SA Airline Industry by Glenn Orsmond, (Jonathan Ball, R310) South Africa, a modern country with a sophisticated economy and a population of more than 60 million, should be more than able to support a healthy airline industry. But like its electricity sector and its postal service, it hasn't. For years, South African Airways (SAA) ruled the skies. Then there came competition, and the wheels started coming off. Ironically, however, this short narrative isn't about SAA, a sad story in its own right, but essentially the rise and fall of short-haul competitor Comair, which operated the British Airways franchise and owned Kulula. Orsmond narrates the saga of success of the ‘industry's playground bully’, followed by some details of unedifying bickering and infighting, and…

Dear Prof McCrindle, Is it correct that poultry farmers are now allowed to vaccinate flocks against HPAI in South Africa? Where can I find the legislation, and what does it say? Oscar, Gauteng Dear Oscar, Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is caused by the influenza virus clade H5N1, which is usually disseminated by the movement and migration of wild waterfowl. In South Africa, new guidelines for the vaccination of commercial poultry flocks were promulgated at the end of 2023. Details can be found online at the link below. In summary, vaccination is now permitted, but only if there is adequate on-farm management and biosecurity, according to the Animal Diseases Act (No. 35 of 1984) and the Animal Diseases Regulations, R2026 of 26 September 1986, as amended. The main problem is…

“I have had the privilege of living and working in this beautiful country for more than 10 years. While working here, I have had an opportunity to observe South African agriculture first-hand, which has equipped me to be an unbiased observer. South African agriculture is an incredible quiet success story. South The country is one of only two in Africa that can be said to be food secure. Production has increased steadily throughout the past 30 years, the food that is produced is of the highest quality, and farm gate prices offer some of the most economically produced food in the world. The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. David Burton is the Agricultural sector director for Africa for the UK…

The Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) widened its circle in June after approving membership of the Mozambique Citrus Association (MCA). In joining the CGA, Mozambican farmers will now have access to the expertise and support provided by the CGA. Other member countries are South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. Tertius Strauss, a citrus farmer in Mozambique, said the move would support the growth of the citrus industry in that country. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Mozambique had 6 577ha under citrus production in 2022, producing nearly 85 000t. The sector was expected to grow to reach 97 000ha by 2026. Oranges make up the largest portion at 67 000t, grapefruit is second at nearly 8 800t, while lemons and soft citrus…

NEW ZEALAND New Zealand recently abandoned a plan to impose charges on agricultural producers for emissions, including methane produced by cattle and sheep, in response to pressure from farmers, who argued that the plan would make their businesses unprofitable. The conservative government announced in a statement that it would establish a pastoral sector group with representatives from the agriculture industry to explore alternative methods of reducing biogenic methane emissions. INDONESIA Indonesia's economics ministry said in a statement in early June that by August it planned to establish a digital dashboard to monitor the country's agricultural commodities. This initiative comes as the world's leading palm oil exporter aims to keep track of its US$6,5 billion (about R120 billion) worth of products affected by a new anti-deforestation rule from the EU. According…

The South African economy experienced a marginal quarter-on-quarter (q/q) contraction of 0,1% in the first quarter of 2024, in line with analyst expectations. This contraction came despite a marked decline in load-shedding and improvement in port efficiencies. Economic activity remained subdued, undermined by high inflation and interest rates, which continued to weigh on consumers and subsequently reduced both domestic and export demand. Lingering pre-election jitters were also a factor, as some businesses exercised caution about making significant decisions amid election uncertainty. For agriculture, while the sector grew by 13,5% in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, Q1 year-on-year (y/y) agri-GDP slowed by 7,7% due to lower commodity prices, subdued consumer spending, and infrastructure bottlenecks. The first quarter of the year typically sees the largest contribution to agricultural revenue from animal…

Hemp cultivation is emerging as a lucrative agricultural endeavour in South Africa, fuelled by rising global demand for hemp-based products. This adaptable plant, a variety of Cannabis sativa, has a wide range of applications, including textiles, biofuels, food and health supplements. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) oversees the licensing process for hemp cultivation. According to the most recent data, as of 2023, South Africa has awarded an increasing number of licences to commercial and small-scale farms. The change in policy shows government's awareness of hemp's economic potential and benefits to sustainable agriculture. Gauteng has led the way, with 11 of the 29 licences approved in 2023 going to farmers in this region. In the Eastern Cape, Medigrow has committed significant financial support for cannabis and…

Marion Delport, lead data scientist responsible for data management and advanced analytics at the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP); and Jaco Minnaar, Agri SA president, former Grain SA chairperson, and one of the farmers currently collaborating in the Data Intensive Farm Management (DIFM) project in South Africa, recently participated in and shared their insights at the International Conference for On-farm Precision Experimentation in Texas. Minnaar spoke about the insights he has gained from maize and soya bean on-farm DIFM trials over the past four years, while Delport's presentation centred on lessons learnt and key research questions emerging from the DIFM trials in South Africa. A GLOBAL PROJECT DIFM is a project run in collaboration with various research institutes and industry stakeholders across the globe. The project has been…

ARCHIVE One farmer winning the Merino awards for both the Grand Champion Ewe Fleece and the Reserve Grand Champion Ewe Fleece at the South African National Fleece Championships is a praiseworthy achievement. Both these awards went to JA ‘Oom Koos’ Saayman of Platkop in the Riversdale district, Western Cape. These awards are the result of 30 years of hard work and love that Oom Koos has devoted to his Merinos, all bred by himself. His 372ha farm is arable except for 50ha that is left to veld and scrub. In this 425mm rainfall area, drinking water is supplied by several earth dams in the kloofs. There is insufficient water, however, for irrigation. The main source of income is from Merinos, but Oom Koos also keeps a dairy stud of 50…

The notion that the youth are not interested in agriculture has lost ground as a new generation is journeying to the countryside. But while larger commercial enterprises are attracting youngsters, small- and medium-scale farms look less alluring. Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Theo de Jager, executive director at the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), explained that the mass of opportunities available within the food production space, and the dynamics that technology brought, had drawn the interest of younger generations. “I recall 20 years ago we became increasingly concerned at every farmers' meeting we attended that the youth were not going back to the farms after studying. Now we are seeing children and even grandchildren of farmers returning to make their mark. And it's not just men, there are many women returning,…

South Africa is among 20 countries that account for 65% of all children living in severe child food poverty globally. This is according to a new report by the UN Children's Fund (Unicef). Globally, Unicef found that 27% of children were living in severe child food poverty in early childhood, amounting to 181 million children under the age of five years. Belarus had the lowest percentage of children living in severe childhood food poverty at 1%, whereas Somalia had the highest at 63%, followed by Guinea at 54%. About 23% of South Africa's children were living in severe childhood poverty. According to the report, only about half of the 181 million children belonged to households in the two poorest wealth quintiles, among whom limited household income is a major driver…

Tell us more about your operation. ONE54 South Africa is a proudly South African retail brand-building business based in Cape Town. Neither the raw material supplier nor ONE54 South Africa owns any farms. As a start-up, we run very lean and outsource most of our business functions. We have an operations manager who runs the day-to-day operations of the business, and a regional sales manager in Gauteng. Outsourced functions for ONE54 South Africa include marketing, finance and professional services, sales and merchandising, route-to-market consultancy, warehousing and distribution, as well as product manufacturing and transport. A1 FRUIT WATER AIMS TO BRING ‘HYDRATION BY NATURE’ TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN MARKET Where and when did A1 start? And why? A1 Fruit Water began with a vision to offer a healthier alternative to sugary…

Meijer built a Johnson-Su bioreactor from a pallet, pipes, woven landscape cloth, a wire and cement to produce compost from lucerne and cow dung. (See box on the opposite page for a link to a video that illustrates how to build a Johnson Su bioreactor.) The pipes, which are removed once the raw materials are stacked, help to aerate the raw material so that the compost does not have to be turned during the composting process. The lack of disturbance allows fungi to flourish and to create fungal-dominated compost. The raw material is irrigated for a minute a day, sometimes for two minutes when it is warm, to maintain a moisture content of 60% to 70%. The bioreactor produces roughly 400kg of compost within a year, which is much more…

SERVES 4 TO 6 For the guava pickle 80ml palm or light brown sugar 60ml water 125ml white vinegar 1 stick cinnamon 3 cloves 2,5ml fennel seeds Pinch of poppy seeds 5ml salt 2,5ml or more red chilli flakes 12mm piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced 5ml orange or lemon zest 4 medium guavas, cut into wedges 1 large starfruit or kiwifruit, cut into rounds For the Cajun blackened chicken 15ml smoked paprika 15ml sweet paprika 15ml salt 10ml garlic powder 10ml onion powder 7,5ml pepper 7,5ml dried oregano 7,5ml dried thyme 2,5ml to 5ml cayenne pepper 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed 15ml vegetable oil 45ml unsalted butter, cut into six pieces, divided • To make the guava pickle, in a saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Stir…