ProbarGOLD- Free

Sorghum essential for South Africa
Farmer's Weekly|19 April 2024
Magda du Toit discusses Grain SA’s focus on sorghum as an important grain crop to cultivate, research and develop further in the country.
- Magda du Toit 
Sorghum essential for South Africa

Sorghum is a versatile crop that thrives in marginal environments where other cereal crops often fail. It is used worldwide for food, feed, fodder and biofuel.

Production of sorghum, however, is affected by many factors, such as a shortage of new hybrids and a lack of market development, and consequently lower profitability. Production is also hindered by abiotic and biotic stress factors. For these reasons, the sorghum industry in South Africa is facing huge challenges as it has seen production and consumption decrease dramatically over the past few decades.

Because sorghum remains an important crop for South African farmers due to its high tolerance to drought conditions and to consumers because of its nutritional and cultural value, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in 2021 launched a feasibility study into the sorghum value chain in South Africa. The study not only highlighted the major challenges the industry faces but also identified recommendations that could be implemented for its survival.

One of the recommendations was to establish a sorghum cluster to act as a framework for implementing the initiatives recommended in the report. According to Willem Groothof, chairperson of the sorghum working group, the creation of the Sorghum Cluster Initiative (SCI) is the light at the end of a dark tunnel.

During the recent Grain SA congress held at Nampo Park near Bothaville, the Sorghum and Sunflower Work Group discussed the challenges facing the sorghum industry.

SCI convenor Petru Fourie gave feedback on the progress of the activities. She said the SCI had begun the following projects:

Esta historia es de la edición 19 April 2024 de Farmer's Weekly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición 19 April 2024 de Farmer's Weekly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE FARMER'S WEEKLYVer todo
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Farmer's Weekly

New farmers' seedling pitfalls

Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead

time-read
2 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
South African avocado production: a success story
Farmer's Weekly

South African avocado production: a success story

Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.

time-read
6 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Farmer's Weekly

Unlocking value through livestock exports

Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.

time-read
7 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
Farmer's Weekly

An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment

For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.

time-read
5 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Farmer's Weekly

Empowering dreams, transforming lives

Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.

time-read
7 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
Farmer's Weekly

Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal

South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities

time-read
5 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
Farmer's Weekly

The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture

While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation

time-read
3 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Farmer's Weekly

Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling

Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.

time-read
2 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Tips for better olive production
Farmer's Weekly

Tips for better olive production

At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.

time-read
3 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
Farmer's Weekly

More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah

On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.

time-read
1 min  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024

Usamos cookies para proporcionar y mejorar nuestros servicios. Al usan nuestro sitio aceptas el uso de cookies. Learn more