FarmBiz - February 2020

In this issue

Precision farming for healthy soil.
Turnaround strategy for the wheat industry.
Farmers' markets, Poultry sector plan, Small-scale irrigation, Women in agriculture.

Precision farming for healthy soil

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is well underway and is characterised by the fading boundaries between the physical, digital and biological world. It is further characterised by advances in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), genetic engineering and three-dimensional (3D) printers, among others. In our changing world new technologies are also being developed for the agricultural sector, which will enable this industry to improve production.

5 mins

Women In Agriculture: A Chance To Improve Food Security

A cross the world, gender inequality in the agricultural sector is a contributing factor to food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty. This is according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations 2011 State of food and agriculture (SOFA) report.

4 mins

Diversification: An Effective Management Tool

South Africa’s agricultural industry has been experiencing several challenging years. The impact of various factors such as drought, floods, low prices, pests and diseases that closed the country’s borders for exports, imports of cheap food products and a weak economy with low associated consumer demand, has been and is being felt throughout the sector.

4 mins

Poultry sector hatches a plan

South Africa’s poultry industry is highly competitive and has the potential to compete with other exporting countries on an equal level. However, no industry can compete with unfair trade practices such as dumping, which has been a hot topic for industry role-players in recent years.

4 mins

Farmers' markets bring relief to smallholder farmers

Agriculture is often touted as a sector with immense potential for rural development and job creation.

5 mins

A Chicken That Ticks All The Right Boxes

It is no secret that the African climate can be very unforgiving, especially when it comes to farming. Luckily for many farmers the Boschveld chicken, a hardy breed from Limpopo, has found its way to no less than 19 African countries and it is flourishing.

4 mins

Young Egg Producer Plays In The Big Leagues

It is plain to see why last year’s Western Cape Young Farmer of the Year, Johan van der Schyff, was named the 2019 Toyota Agri SA National Young Farmer of the Year. His farming operations set him apart from the other finalists in the competition, who were all top farmers in their respective provinces.

4 mins

The art of small-scale irrigation

Southern Africa is a region in which water is scarce for most of the year. It rains for only four to five months of the year with frequent dry spells in between, while the rest of the year is hot and dry. Anyone with an ornamental or vegetable garden can get the most out of their garden by following a few simple water usage tips. These tips are also applicable to irrigation farming.

5 mins

Microgreens And Edible Flower Farmers Excel

Two young farmers who identified a gap in the agricultural industry and retail sector, have exploited a unique agri-business opportunity that, in just under three years, has positioned them as a leading supplier of microgreens and edible flowers in KwaZuluNatal.

3 mins

Keeping the connections fresh

The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) hosted its third annual PMA Retailers’ Connections Lunch at the end of last year. According to Lindie Stroebel, general manager of PMA in Southern Africa, representatives of three big retailers in South Africa attended the event, as did top producers of fresh produce such as ZZ2.

1 min

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FarmBiz Magazine Description:

FarmBiz is a unique monthly publication serving the agribusiness industry. This one-of-a-kind publication addresses issues that are pertinent to better production, higher profitability, policy issues, trade and much more. Its readership spans the entire agribusiness sector – from top commercial farmers and the agribusinesses who serve them, to government institutions, opinion leaders and agribusiness consultants.