![Changeable decade ahead for agriculture](https://cdn.magzter.com/1373618752/1697614352/articles/9oMPmEUqt1697630473336/CHANGEABLE-DECADE-AHEAD-FOR-AGRICULTURE.jpg)
"In a period riddled with disruptions in both the global and the domestic environment, the agriculture sector was the most consistent contributor to GDP growth in 2020 and 2021. Over the past 18 months, however, challenges in the global environment have escalated as the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, and persistently high inflation have threatened to derail the global post-pandemic economic recovery. Risks remain elevated, particularly in light of recent difficulties in renewing the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Furthermore, South Africa’s agriculture and agro-processing sectors have had to deal with the implications of an animal health system that is threatening to collapse, crumbling road and water infrastructure, congestion at the ports, and a national electricity crisis leading to severe load-shedding and unplanned blackouts. These factors have tested the sector’s resilience to the extreme and, with approximately 50% of revenue dependent on exports, are raising concerns around the sector’s competitiveness.
GRAIN DRAIN
Much of the growth since 2020 has been underpinned by the field crop sector due to the rare combination of near-record harvests and high prices, which were underpinned by global factors. In 2022 however, the sharp increase in input costs constrained GDP growth despite strong revenue performance. Looking forward, prices of the main summer crops will continue to trade at export parity in the near term, which implies that they will follow the global downward trend.
The same holds true for wheat, where prices tend to trade at import parity levels. This implies that margins will become tighter over the next few years, requiring continuous innovation to remain on top of the productivity curve.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 27, 2023 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 27, 2023 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
![More funding needed to flood-proof Olifants River](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/VBasj4FXZ1725539857303/MORE-FUNDING-NEEDED-TO-FLOODPROOF-OLIFANTS-RIVER.jpg)
More funding needed to flood-proof Olifants River
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer recently handed over R14,98 million to the Citrusdal Water Users’ Association.
![Zambia, Burundi agree to maximise agri potential](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/1_uL8lGtf1725539759905/ZAMBIA-BURUNDI-AGREE-TO-MAXIMISE-AGRI-POTENTIAL.jpg)
Zambia, Burundi agree to maximise agri potential
In a bid to capitalise on the livestock and arable land in Zambia and Burundi, the two countries have agreed in principle to review the existing bilateral trade agreement in agricultural products under memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and to bolster foreign exchange earnings.
![Expanded market brings avocado season success](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/gYsTt7Yxm1725539697707/EXPANDED-MARKET-BRINGS-AVOCADO-SEASON-SUCCESS.jpg)
Expanded market brings avocado season success
The South African avocado industry is making headway in India after gaining market access earlier this year. Supported by the World Avocado Organization (WAO), consumers and food businesses in India are being educated about the health benefits of regular avocado consumption and how best to use this fruit in Indian cuisine.
![Plan needed to enhance competitiveness of SA's deciduous fruit canning industry](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/hIPDsywUj1725539549374/PLAN-NEEDED-TO-ENHANCE-COMPETITIVENESS-OF-SAS-DECIDUOUS-FRUIT-CANNING-INDUSTRY.jpg)
Plan needed to enhance competitiveness of SA's deciduous fruit canning industry
Dr Heinrich Jantjies, group risk, safety and security director at Tiger Brands, says the deciduous fruit canning industry has been on a decline in South Africa since 2016. He suggests implementing a Deciduous Fruit Canning Industry Recovery and Competitive Plan to turn the industry around.
![Kruger's memory lingers in his Boekenhoutfontein farmhouses](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/o3E0Gk2-I1725539319019/KRUGERS-MEMORY-LINGERS-IN-HIS-BOEKENHOUTFONTEIN-FARMHOUSES.jpg)
Kruger's memory lingers in his Boekenhoutfontein farmhouses
Lucille Davie visits Kedar Heritage Lodge in North West to see the farmhouses Paul Kruger owned.
![From street art to feats of engineering, Bristol has it all](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/KXiU5nzQP1725539052607/FROM-STREET-ART-TO-FEATS-OF-ENGINEERING-BRISTOL-HAS-IT-ALL.jpg)
From street art to feats of engineering, Bristol has it all
Brian Berkman visits the vibrant UK port city of Bristol and says two days are not enough to explore renowned graffiti artist Banksy's hometown and pop in at all the historical taverns.
![Managing broodmares and foals profitably and safely](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/CMdKpFFox1725538948378/MANAGING-BROODMARES-AND-FOALS-PROFITABLY-AND-SAFELY.jpg)
Managing broodmares and foals profitably and safely
Broodmares and their foals are at high risk of stress, diseases and injuries if their management is suboptimal, says Dr Mac.
![Double cab's leisure features find favour](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/EdKvhkQ4V1725538815110/DOUBLE-CABS-LEISURE-FEATURES-FIND-FAVOUR.jpg)
Double cab's leisure features find favour
The GWM P500 2.0T HEV 4x4 Super Luxury AT has launched in South Africa, and the bakkie takes aim at the more premium, leisure-focused offerings from rival brands. Car Magazine's Marius Boonzaier writes.
![More fungal diseases that can infect beans](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/hGxapspAW1725538716535/MORE-FUNGAL-DISEASES-THAT-CAN-INFECT-BEANS.jpg)
More fungal diseases that can infect beans
Bill Kerr explains the symptoms of angular leaf spot and anthracnose and how to avoid infection in your fields.
![Keeping invasive insects at bay](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/sCJt3-9so1725538531021/KEEPING-INVASIVE-INSECTS-AT-BAY.jpg)
Keeping invasive insects at bay
Featuring an array of delicious fruit from peaches to cherries, stone fruit is attractive to a variety of bugs that can be effectively controlled with integrated pest management, writes Zunel van Eeden.