South Africa has coped bravely with the direct medical threat of COVID- 19, but the pandemic has nonetheless exposed how vulnerable local communities are in terms of baseline health. The virus poses particularly severe risks for people with underlying health conditions, obesity and non-communicable diseases, underpinning many COVID-19 hospital admissions.
According to a recent article issued by the Association of Dietetics in South Africa, the country is currently dealing with a range of diet-related health concerns, including the problem of more than a quarter of the female adult population being overweight and more than a third obese. It is estimated that 269 000 annual deaths in the country are related to non-communicable diseases, and while the prevalence of overweight children is increasing, child under-nutrition persists, with stunting rates for children under five showing no reduction from the 27% reported in 2016.
While most people understand the importance of eating fresh produce, there is often a disconnect in consumers between what they know and what they do. Yet having a strong immune system is essential to everyday life, well-being and long-term prosperity.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FRESH PRODUCE INDUSTRY
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin September 25, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin September 25, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
