Innholdsfortegnelse for 24 January 2025 i Farmer's Weekly

Those who know me or have been reading my editorials for some time now will know that I am no fan of Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, largely because of his climate activism, which he delivers to the world while travelling on his fleet of private jets. Gates has invested tens of millions of dollars, if not hundreds of millions at this point, in supposedly fighting climate change. However, what this really means is that he is investing large sums of money while targeting farming, and particularly livestock production. And while I take no issue with anyone wanting to dedicate their time and money to finding ways to mitigate the effects of climate change, it means very little when coming from somebody like Gates, whose carbon footprint is significantly bigger than…

In December 2024, Liesje Eigenhuis, a recent graduate from Stellenbosch University, was awarded the Farmer's Weekly / Eckart Kassier medal for being the top-performing student in the university's (BAgric) Agribusiness Management programme. Growing up on a smallholding near Lanseria, Gauteng, Eigenhuis's connection to agriculture began at an early age. She fondly recalls holidays spent on her family's farms near Kokstad and Brits, which gave her an appreciation for the hard work and rewards of farm life. This early exposure played a pivotal role in shaping her decision to pursue a career in agriculture. Reflecting on her time at university, Eigenhuis highlights the support of the Department of Agricultural Economics and its dedicated lecturers, who have prepared her well for the challenges of the sector. Having recently been accepted into the…

The National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) is urging South Africa's agricultural export industry to act on the EU's strict new sustainability standards in 2025. NAMC spokesperson Mashao Mohale said in a statement: “Some shifts must be made for traders to meet the demands as set out by the EU. South Africa's agricultural export dynamics to European countries are poised to undergo significant changes due to the stringent environmental and sustainability requirements under the EU Green Deal.” This followed the EU's decision in 2023 to adopt a set of the European Commission's (EC) proposals to make Europe's climate, energy, transport, and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 when compared with 1990 levels. The 27 EU member states decreed the EU Green…

Two-a-Day, a major shareholder in Tru-Cape, recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming South Africa's first agribusiness to receive national Top Employer certification from the Netherlands-based Top Employers Institute. This recognition highlights the Grabouw-based company's dedication to exceptional people practices, placing it among global leaders in organisational culture and employee well-being. In a statement, Dimitri Jacobs, group human resources director at Two-a-Day, said: “We employ approximately 2 000 people, each playing an integral role in our business. We are considered a big employer in our small community; therefore, it is important that our employees are happy at work and that our standards are world class.” The certification process involved benchmarking Two-a-Day's human resources strategies against international standards. “To be accredited, one should score at least 60% overall in the 255…

The riots that erupted in Mozambique over December as a result of the disputed election are likely to be a make-or-break situation for many South African farmers in that country. Protests have been ongoing since October, when authorities declared Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party the victor over opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane. The outcome has been disputed, with Mozambicans calling for Chapo to step down. Violence escalated after the recount of the votes and Chapo again being declared the victor on 23 December. The Lebombo-Ressano Garcia border crossing was affected by the protests, limiting the movement of goods to and from Mozambique. Hanlie de Beer, who runs a WhatsApp group for information on the N4 route into Mozambique, told Farmer's Weekly that the border was closed on and off…

Transnet's interim results paint a bleak picture for the troubled state-owned logistics company, with extensive challenges hindering its growth. With limited revenue to address issues, the outlook for improving volumes and therefore income is not much rosier either. Transnet released its unaudited interim results for the six months to 30 September 2024 at the end of last year, noting a R2,2 billion loss for the period. This was up from the R1,6 billion loss of the corresponding period in 2023. Revenue for the period under review increased by 6% to R41,5 billion, in line with weighted average tariff increases in the rail, port and pipeline businesses, and a 3,2% increase in rail volumes that was partially offset by lower container and petroleum volumes. Net operating expenses increased by 10,2% to…

In 2024, Germany made a ground-breaking announcement regarding cannabis legislation. The nation introduced a progressive policy permitting adults aged 18 and above to cultivate up to three cannabis plants for personal consumption and possess modest quantities of the substance without legal consequences. This transformative decision represents a significant departure from Germany's historically stringent stance on drug control. Nonetheless, not all segments of society viewed this legislative change with uniform enthusiasm. The German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer), a prominent voice in healthcare policy, emerged as a vocal opponent, advocating for the complete reversal of this newly implemented legislation. Their reservations stemmed from a complex tapestry of concerns: potential public health ramifications, broader societal implications, and skepticism regarding the effectiveness of legalisation strategies. As discussions intensified, Germany found itself navigating a complex landscape,…

For the first time in over 100 years, the South African Sugar Millers' Association (SASMA) appointed a woman of colour, Jennashree Govender, as its CEO in September 2024. At 39, Govender is not only the first woman to take on this prestigious role but also the youngest person in the association's history to do so. This appointment marks a historic turning point for the sugar industry in South Africa, signalling a shift towards greater inclusivity and diversity within leadership roles that were once dominated by men. OVERCOMING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES Govender, a Durban-born woman of Indian descent, reflects on the journey that has led her to this monumental achievement. “It's been challenging but exciting. I am in a position where nobody has gone before me, and the dynamics are very different…

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) pose health risks. And plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs), which are considered UPFs, may carry similar concerns. A study published in the journal Food Frontiers in December 2024 by researchers at the University of Surrey, England, found that vegetarians who consumed PBMAs had a 42% higher risk of depression compared with those who avoided them. Looking at data from large-scale biomedical database UK Biobank, the researchers revealed no significant differences in sodium, sugar, or saturated fat intake between PBMA consumers and non-consumers. However, those who ate PBMAs exhibited higher blood pressure, elevated C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) and lower levels of apolipoprotein A, which is linked to 'good' cholesterol. On the positive side, PBMA consumption was associated…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. This article was originally published by The Conversation. To read the original, visit bit.ly/4gHtvBH. Dr Jabulie Mzimela is a lecturer in human geography at the University of Zululand. Email mzimelaj@unizulu.ac.za. Inocent Moyo is an associate professor of human geography at the University of Zululand. Email moyoi@unizulu.ac.za. “Africa's small-scale farmers make up nearly 80% of all farms in the agriculture sector. In South Africa, there are about two million small-scale farmers, predominantly black and based in the eastern summer rainfall region of the country. A small-scale farmer produces food for their family on land that is generally smaller than 5ha. Small-scale farmers sell their excess produce but have limited access to resources, technology and big…

South African white maize prices are set to remain elevated during the first quarter of 2025, with potential relief only anticipated in the second quarter. This was according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz. As at 3 January, white maize spot prices were trading at approximately R6 871/t, marking a significant 50% increase compared to the previous year. Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Sihlobo said the primary driver of elevated prices was the tight supply of white maize. He added that South Africa's white maize stocks were projected to close at just 277 884t by the end of the 2024/25 marketing year on 30 April 2025. This figure was significantly lower than the 1,3 million tons recorded in the previous marketing year and 1,1 million tons in the 2022/23 season.…

US farmland values are set for growth in 2025, driven by strong demand and limited supply. This was according to a recent report by agricultural real estate services provider Farmers National Company (FNC). Despite challenges like lower net farm income, volatile markets, and higher interest rates, demand continued to outpace the availability of land, keeping the market robust, FNC stated. Paul Schadegg, senior vice-president of real estate operations at FNC, said the rise in demand for land could be attributed to farm operators' desire to expand their operations onto lands in the vicinity of their existing establishments, in expectation of a favourable economic outlook. He added that land investors were also targeting productive regions to grow their portfolios. Agriculture Dive reported that, according to data from the US Department of…

South Africa has successfully regained access to the Thai apple market after several years, according to an announcement made by Thai authorities at the end of 2024. This re-entry aligns with ongoing efforts to diversify export destinations and strengthen ties with the Far East. Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape, said South African deciduous fruits, such as apples and pears, were banned from the Thai market in 2008 over phytosanitary documentation issues. After years of negotiation between the local apple industry and the Thai government to restore a US$20 million (about R379 million) trade deal, two Thai inspectors visited South Africa's key apple production areas in March last year. “Although South African apples have been unable to access the Thai market for several years, we continued…

Botswana's phased approach to lifting vegetable import restrictions is set to begin in April, potentially improving trade with South Africa and alleviating supply shortages in the former. Neo Lenkopane, Botswana's Agriculture Chief Public Relations Officer, announced in a press statement that the lifting of the restrictions will happen in phases following engagements with stakeholders. “The phase two lift will take effect from 1 April 2025 and will apply to beetroot, butternut, cabbage, carrot, garlic, ginger, green mealies, herbs, lettuce, onions, sweet pepper, tomato and watermelons,” she said. In an interview with Farmer's Weekly, Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB, said the lifting of the ban was a long-awaited step, given that the region had embraced the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). “It provides hope of policy certainty in adhering…

In its latest External Factors Report, agribusiness NWK has cautioned role players in the agriculture sector against cyber fraud and fraud risks. “Fraud comes in many shapes and sizes, and NWK has set itself the task to identify and explain types of cyber fraud to the benefit of the business and our client base in the coming year,” the report read. According to the report, phishing attacks are a cunning strategy in which cybercriminals create deceptive emails, messages or websites that imitate legitimate organisations and business concerns to steal sensitive information. These attacks exploit human vulnerability, counting on individuals to click on harmful links or share confidential details, mistakenly believing they are dealing with a trustworthy source. “Email phishing was the most common form of phishing. Attackers send fraudulent emails…

Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele has been appointed the new CEO of the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA), effective 1 February 2025. Originally trained as a veterinarian, Ntshabele served as director of biosecurity at the former Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and current Department of Agriculture for the past five years. From 2015 to 2019, he was Minister Counsellor Agriculture in the South African Embassy to Belgium, Luxembourg and the Mission to the European Union. According to a press release by the CGA, Ntshabele's experience in various management, policy development, international engagement and negotiation positions will serve him well and help advocate for the interests of local citrus growers. “I am looking forward to helping to shape the future of the local citrus industry. We must make…

Billionaire, Nerd, Saviour, King by Anupreeta Das (Simon & Schuster, R475) Forget the Kardashians and their ilk, says Das; it was Gates, Bezos, Dell and other Seattle and Silicon Valley leaders who really made us love billionaires (until we didn't). This intriguing read isn't another biography of Bill Gates but rather an analysis of the context in which he built his empire and within which he was effectively ousted from his flagship company, Microsoft, to help it survive its founder's increasingly menacing image – piratical approaches to competitors, tyrannical behaviour in the office, womanising … He then found philanthropy, specialising in improving healthcare and helping to alleviate poverty and the effects of climate change. I encountered him at an international conference in Durban almost a decade ago, and he was clearly…

Dear Prof McCrindle, I heard there is a quicker, more cost-effective way to monitor blood and white cells in bulk milk instead of doing somatic cell counts. It's called digital holographic microscopy and is much faster and more accurate. How does it work? Dairy Producer, Western Cape Dear Dairy Producer, If a dairy farmer waits for clinical signs of mastitis, when pain and swelling have already become obvious and the milk contains pus, it's too late and the cow must be dried off and treated. This is expensive, because her milk is discarded. Sometimes the cow may have to be culled, as damage to the udder is irreversible. High levels of somatic cells indicate damage to the udder, therefore a somatic cell count is done routinely on the 'fore milk'…

As this article showed, you can convert most farm waste into valuable cubed compost that will enrich the soil and give startling increases in yield within the season. That there is a shortage of grain in the world – more acute in some places than others – is no secret. Grain is becoming so scarce and costly that producers of red meat are having to find alternative sources of high-energy food for their livestock. In an earlier issue of Farmer's Weekly, there was an article on a machine that made highly nutritious feed cubes from straw, river reeds, hay, and other similar low food-value materials. As much as 90% straw with 10% lucerne held together with a binding agent and cubed could produce seven times its pre-cubed feed value. The…

Despite the complexities in diplomatic relations, South Africa would continue to enjoy privileged access to the US market through 2025, according to a recent Bloomberg report. This followed the Office of the United States Trade Representative's annual review under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which did not alter the list of countries eligible for duty-free access to the US. However, as Prof Kedibone Phago, director of North-West University's School of Government Studies, told Farmer's Weekly previously, the South African government may need to adjust its tone and loud critical voice against the US to study the intentions of the Donald Trump presidency. According to Bloomberg's report, concerns had been raised by the US regarding South Africa's diplomatic positions, including its relationship with China, its stance on the war…

GERMANY Global security tech firm Giesecke+Devrient, based in Munich, has unveiled the G+D Smart Label, which is designed to help stakeholders throughout the agricultural supply chain track goods like fruits and vegetables. Slightly larger than a credit card, the G+D Smart Label turns any package into an Internet of Things (IoT) device, offering improved shipment visibility, security and accounting. Speaking to Agriculture Dive, Sharath Muddaiah, head of portfolio strategy for IoT solutions at G+D, said he hoped the peel-and-stick labels would be a cost-effective, simplified solution for customers. UNITED STATES Alico, a major agricultural company in Florida, has faced a dramatic 73% decline in citrus production over the past decade due to persistent challenges, such as the devastating citrus greening disease. Despite significant investments in disease management, recent hurricanes have…

South Africa's berry export season, which began in September 2024, has seen encouraging growth despite weather-related setbacks. This was according to Brent Walsh, CEO of Berries ZA. Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Walsh described the season as positive, highlighting an 8% increase in exports compared with the previous season. “We had a couple of frost events that limited production, so it's not quite the volume that we were hoping for, but these are things that aren't always under our control. However, we are up at the moment and we haven't finished our export season yet,” he explained. Despite the challenges posed by frost, Walsh said robust market demand and favourable pricing were key drivers behind the season's success. “I think the market has continued to be buoyant in terms of a…

The Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) recently announced key appointments to strengthen its leadership and focus on its rural development mandate. Simpiwe Somdyala was appointed CEO, while Bongo Giyose took up the role of executive for Rural Financial Services. Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Dr Nondumiso Maphazi, chairperson of the board, said that Somdyala, who has over 30 years of experience in enterprise finance and agribusiness, was appointed to lead the agency's strategic objectives for 2025 to 2030. “He previously served as CEO of Amadlelo Agri, a black-owned agribusiness specialising in dairy production, and as CEO of Old Mutual's Masisizane Fund, which supports black-owned small and medium enterprises. He brings a wealth of experience in economic transformation, agriculture and enterprise development. His leadership will be pivotal in advancing ECRDA's mandate,”…

The global economy is expected to continue its current slow albeit stable growth in 2025. The International Monetary Fund forecasts 3,2% growth for 2024 and 2025, down slightly from the 3,3% growth in 2023. Imbalances between commodity supply and demand have eased since the beginning of 2024, thus lowering inflationary pressure in major economies. Global inflation is expected to decrease from an annual average of 6,7% in 2023 to 4,3% in 2025. INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK There are still downside risks to the forecasted global growth. International markets were shocked at the beginning of August 2024 when markets overreacted to various factors, including the Federal Reserve's announcement that US interest rate cuts would start in September. Markets did recover quickly thereafter. However, sudden flare-ups in global market volatility remain a major downside…

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) employs agrohydrological models to support sustainable agricultural practices and address challenges like soil salinity, water management, and crop productivity. These models are tools that simulate the interactions between soil, water, crops, and atmospheric conditions. KEY MODELS AquaCrop: one of the primary FAO models, AquaCrop simulates crop yield in response to water availability, including irrigation, rainfall, and soil moisture. It accounts for the impact of soil salinity on water uptake and crop productivity. CropWat: a decision-support tool for calculating crop water requirements and irrigation needs. It incorporates data on soil salinity to adjust water needs and optimise irrigation. SaltMod: specifically designed to model the salinity of the soil and water systems, it predicts salinity levels under varying irrigation and drainage scenarios.…