Government seems to be waking up to the power of private land ownership, but it may not be enough to keep all farmers on the land.
WHAT ARE YOUR BIASES?
Humans are riddled with biases. One of the most prevalent is the hunger for bad news. It’s a fact: most people are drawn to depressing stories and that’s why newspapers and TV are filled with disaster, corruption and incompetence. These are the stories that sell. It’s known as the ‘negativity bias’.
I’m aware of it and I’m afraid of it, and always on the lookout for good news to counter the deluge of bad news. That’s why a recent headline in Farmer’s Weekly, ‘Farmers go into the new year with good news about title deeds’, caught my eye (2 February 2024).
The article, by economist Dr Sifiso Ntombela, provides a brief history of land reform in South Africa and reports on government’s recent roadshow informing farmers leasing land from them that they will soon receive title deeds. Great news, as it creates an opportunity for them to build value in their businesses and provide collateral for working capital loans.
However, given the numerous broken promises and plans gathering dust in government offices, my negative bias kicked in. Attempting to assess the reliability of previous promises to deliver title deeds, I did a quick Google search. It dispelled my pessimism. The keywords ‘title deeds handed over 2024’ elicited a flood of stories from 2021 to 2024.
HERE’S A SAMPLE OF A JUST A FEW
Denne historien er fra March 15, 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra March 15, 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
