Truffles: black gold for South African farmers
Growing black winter truffles can be a highly lucrative undertaking for farmers looking to diversify their enterprises. Volker and Paul Miros, who run Woodford Truffles SA, spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee about the expert knowledge and capital required to do so.
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Water scarcity ahead for 80% of croplands, but farming methods can help
According to a new study published April 25, 2022, in the peer-reviewed AGU journal Earth’s Future, agricultural water will become scarce in over 80% of the world’s croplands.
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Bumper fruit exports expected this year, says W Cape govt
The Western Cape – which accounts for more than half of South Africa’s agricultural exports – looks set for a bumper season of fruit exports.
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New cultivars could push up sunflower profits
In some production regions of the country, sunflower is considered a last-resort crop. However, its ability to produce relatively consistent yields under adverse weather conditions makes it an attractive option for farmers in dryland areas. Magda du Toit reports on how the negative view of sunflower can and should be changed.
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South Africa has had lots of rain and most dams are full, but water crisis threat persists
South Africa has had lots of rain and most dams are full, but water crisis threat persists
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Water in 2030
Many areas of the world that are already experiencing a shortage of water resources will see their water issues worsen, causing hardships for millions. Here are 18 projections that attempt to predict the future of the world’s water supply.
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A successful switch from grain to tea tree oil
On a quest to diversify away from the crops traditionally cultivated in Mkhondo, Mpumalanga, André de Waal shifted to the production of essential oils. By growing, distilling and marketing these products, he has gained greater control over the value chain, ensuring his business is both viable and sustainable.
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China plans to feed 80 million people with ‘seawater rice’
Scientists in China developed new salt-tolerant rice strains by over-expressing a gene from selected wild rice that’s more resistant to saline and alkali.
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Robot boosts blueberry picking efficiencies
Agritech company ARCi Technologies is in the process of developing South Africa’s first semi-autonomous agricultural robot. Three of the company’s founders spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their machine.
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Saffron: harvesting ‘red gold’ in the Karoo
Bennie Engelbrecht is breaking new ground for saffron production in South Africa through his company Saffricon. He spoke to Wouter Kriel about his journey so far and his plans for the future.
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