Dragon fruit yields and sales on an upward curve
Increasing yields and rising local demand have resulted in a good season for dragon fruit farmers. Harvest started in November and will wrap up by May.
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Nampo survival guide
If this year marks your first agricultural pilgrimage to Nampo Harvest Day, read the following tips to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience.
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No clarity yet on names for alternative proteins
The lack of regulations over terminology for alternative protein products is causing confusion about food labels worldwide and has already led to several court cases in South Africa.
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Cassava: an untapped resource in South Africa
Light Ngobeni and Zinhle Nkosi, agricultural economists and master’s students at the University of Pretoria and the University of Limpopo respectively, write about the importance of cassava production for farmers and consumers in South Africa, and how to develop the value chain.
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Soil health: crucial for future food production
Healthy soil is a key driver of farm productivity, profits, and sustainable food production. Dr Hendrik Smith explained to Magda du Toit how farmers can improve the health and fertility of their soils.
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Grain silos hit by massive diesel generator costs
Using diesel generators at grain storage facilities is seven times more expensive than using electricity.
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Agricultural trends to watch out for in 2023
Trend alert: Citrus, poultry and cannabis are set to make their mark next year in an ever-changing world where new markets are emerging by the second
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Local saffron farmer wants to take on the world
Known as “red gold”, saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, locally retailing for as much as R250 000 per kilogram.
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Smart irrigation scheduling benefits producers
As climate variability increasingly affects producers across the Southeastern U.S., Wes Porter spends a lot of time thinking about water — specifically, crop irrigation — and how available tools can benefit farmers threefold. “In some years we have ample rainfall to produce very good yields, while in other years, dryland yields are near zero,” said Porter, associate…
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KZN farmer fined over R1.7m for illegal water use
Owner of Redlands Farm, Roy Clifford Braithwaite, in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, has been fined over R1.7m by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) for illegally abstracting water from Wagendrift Dam to irrigate his crops without a water use licence.
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