CATEGORIES

The status of women in agrifood systems

Declines in women's employment in agrifood systems are evident in most regions, and few women are involved in the more profitable activities across various value chains, according to a new report.

Droughts are old news

When the good rains come and the frogs come out, it is easy for people to forget the poverty and misery that intensely dry periods have brought over the centuries

Curry with potato, apple, peanuts and chickpeas

A hearty dish ideal for winter. As it stands, this delicious curry is a vegetarian dish, but you can easily add chicken pieces for some extra protein and texture.

Dealing with sporadic caterpillar pests in cabbages

They may not always be present in your lands, but you still have to look out for these pests, or risk losing your cabbages

The basics of growing turnips

Turnips are an ideal garden vegetable. In South Africa, they are best grown as a cool season crop for harvesting during early spring.

How to handle agrochemicals safely

At a Vineyard Workers' Development course held recently in Paarl, Rosa Kruger and Trix Quixley spoke about the importance of the safe and responsible handling and use of agrochemicals.

Risk mitigation Part 4: the jackal and rooikat 'problem'

PJ Mommsen, a freelance risk mitigation strategist, speaks about the importance of managing risk as it relates to predators.

KZN farmers still reeling from the effects of last year's floods

The flooding in April 2022 has been described as the most catastrophic natural disaster yet recorded in KwaZulu-Natal, and farmers are still recovering from the destruction.

The fundamentals of sheepdog training

Sheep and cattle dogs play an essential role in many small-stock and livestock operations. Janine Ryan discusses how to get your dog training programme off to a smooth and confident start.

Sports brand says no to mutilation of lambs

The Four Paws animal welfare organisation has welcomed a decision by sportswear brand Nike to commit to the certified Responsible Wool Standard, which excludes products made from wool from sheep that have been subject to mulesing, a practice carried out to prevent flystrike.

Bayer positions itself to cash in on regenerative agriculture

Bayer's CropScience division is planning to capitalise on opportunities presented by the shift to regenerative agriculture. Glenneis Kriel reports on the company's plans.

Guava industry looks for growth and improved cultivars

Despite a marginally lower crop predicted for this season, plenty of opportunities await guava producers in South Africa. Glenneis Kriel reports on the industry's recent annual general meeting.

Traveller arrested with lion bones in his luggage

The slaughtering and smuggling of captive-bred lions in South Africa to meet the demand for lion bones is an abomination, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife South Africa’s operations and stewardship manager.

Achievers at the National Wool Growers AGM

The wool industry acknowledged its top achievers at the National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA) AGM held recently in Gqeberha.

Land as a production factor

This article described how farmers could optimise utilisation of their lands.

Let's go riding in Southern Greenland!

The world offers many remarkable locations for riding adventures. One of the more unusual, and dramatic, is Greenland. Dr Mac has a look at the island’s breathtaking scenery and its tough, well-adapted horse breed

Inside Ford's state-of-the-art Silverton assembly plant

Ford recently allowed members of the media to get a hands-on experience at its Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria. Here, 4 700 employees (and platoons of robots) bring the Ranger and Amarok bakkies to life

The basics of growing lupins

Lupins are planted in both the winter and summer rainfall regions of South Africa. They are particularly popular in the coastal areas of the Western Cape, where they are used as a pasture crop for sheep production

Controlling bollworm in cabbage: he who hesitates is lost!

When this pest burrows into a cabbage plant, eradicating it becomes far more difficult and costly. So don’t delay

Farming 'is not a get-rich-quick scheme'

Koketso Baloyi Mofokeng started full-time farming in 2018 after encouragement from her husband, Katiso. Despite facing many challenges, the young photographer-turned-farmer remains passionate about the cabbage, green beans, peppers and spinach she produces

Remembering a bloody and decisive battle

Fear and conflict were grim realities of life on the Cape Colony’s Eastern Frontier during the 19th century. At the same time, inspirational bravery shone through the violence. Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) saw its fair share of both in a crucial battle that took place here in 1819

A cosy lodge, breathtaking sea views and beach restaurants at the very tip of Africa

Brian Berkman recommends a visit to Cape Aghulas to admire South Africa’s second-oldest working lighthouse, admire the endless sea views, stay in a delightful lodge, and simply unwind and relax

Half of Africa's white rhinos in private hands

Hayley Clements, a researcher at Stellenbosch University, Dave Balfour, a freelance conservation ecologist, and Enrico Di Minin, an associate professor in Conservation Geography at the University of Helsinki, explain how and why the approach to rhino conservation on the continent has to change

Growing great fruit may not be enough

A paper on the performance of South Africa’s fresh fruit exports has been released by Henley Business School Africa in collaboration with the Gordon Institute of Business Science and Stellenbosch University. It emphasises that maintaining strong exporter-importer relationships could be critical to keep the industry on top

Award-winning gin from Namibia's dry interior

The innovative Naute Kristall Distillery is situated near Keetmanshoop in Namibia’s arid southern region. Established by Michael and Katrin Weder, it has become renowned for its outstanding, prizewinning gin

Watchdogs: a bark in time can save you

A watchdog can alert its owner to potential threats or intrusions. Janine Ryan looks at some of the best watchdog breeds to consider for farmers and even city dwellers

Uphill road from small to commercial farming

Driven by passion and a dream to develop his business to its full potential, livestock farmer Petros Sibanyoni is persevering despite trials and tribulations. He spoke to Lindi Botha about the challenges faced by emerging farmers, many of whom seem stuck in the proverbial development freezer

Helping unemployed graduates to find work

Armed with a degree and youthful vigour, many a graduate has faced the stark reality of being unable to secure a job despite their qualifications. Lindi Botha spoke to Jenny More, director of RecruitAgri, about why this scenario keeps playing out, and how to solve it.

Cheaper, crowdfunded solar energy for farmers

Sun Exchange uses crowdfunding to help schools, farms and other organisations switch to solar power. Abe Cambridge, the founder of Sun Exchange, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this solution.

Harvesting 'grey water' for drip irrigation

Irrigation is an essential part of producing good crops, even in a vegetable garden or home orchard. Here's a cost-effective way of ensuring that your fruit and vegetables get enough water, says Shane Brody.