Fertilisers & GMOs South Africa

Forests are critical to livelihoods says FAO director general

Forests and trees contribute far more to human livelihoods than is commonly known, playing crucial roles in food security, drinking water, renewable energy and rural economies...

6 Jul 2018

Why it's time to curb widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides

Planting season for corn and soybeans across the U.S. corn belt is drawing to a close. As they plant, farmers are participating in what is likely to be one of the largest deployments of insecticides in United States history.

By John F. Tooker 28 Jun 2018

Helping plants remove natural toxins could boost crop yields by 47%

Can you imagine the entire population of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom and France going hungry? You don't need to imagine. That is exactly what happens every day when an estimated 815 million people around the globe go hungry...

By Paul South 27 Jun 2018

Afrisoils programme launches in Africa to tackle soil productivity and degradation

FAO and its Global Soil Partnership has launched a new programme with the aim of increasing soil productivity in 47 African countries by 30% and reduce soil degradation by 25% in the next 10 years...

14 Jun 2018

Agricultural policies need to address child labour concerns

Driven in part by an increase in conflicts and climate-induced disasters, the number of child labourers in agriculture worldwide has increased substantially from 98 million to 108 million since 2012 after more than a decade of continuous decline, according to the latest estimates...

13 Jun 2018

Why climate-smart agriculture is crucial to Africa

Agriculture is a risky business in Africa due to dangers such as uncertain weather and poor rural infrastructure, but a new detailed guide on the status of and opportunities for climate-smart agriculture (CSA) could offer farmers the much-needed break.

By Eldon Opiyo 11 Jun 2018

Potatoes SA announces first Enterprise Development Farmer of the Year

Phophi Raletjena is the first ever Potatoes SA Enterprise Development Farmer of the Year. He ascribes his success to firstly, increasing his yield and secondly, the ability to source and access information and to learn from others...

By Hanrie Greebe 11 Jun 2018

FAO's how-to guide to transforming food and agriculture

FAO's set of 20 interconnected actions offers a practical guide for countries on how to strengthen food security, generate decent employment, spur rural development and economic growth, conserve natural resources and respond to climate change...

8 Jun 2018

Keeping tabs on genetically modified crops

"Improving the nutritional quality of sorghum and pearl millet is important, but it is equally vital to determine whether altering the composition of these cereals may lead to unforeseen and/or undesirable consequences that may not be immediately obvious..."

By Dr Alec Basson 7 Jun 2018

Zimbabwe youths champion organic fertiliser in new social venture

Agrimatters is betting that Greenfert, an organic fertiliser made from animal and plant residues, could hold the key to improving crop yields and reducing the incidence of nitrate poisoning among the children of smallholder farmers...

By Pius Sawa 5 Jun 2018

It's time for Malawi to quit tobacco

While World No Tobacco Day generally focuses on the health risks of smoking, the harms the tobacco industry inflicts are even broader. It has benefited from exploiting farmers in low-income countries like Malawi...

By Julia Smith 4 Jun 2018

Zambia's eMsika helping farmers buy agricultural inputs

Zambian startup eMsika is helping farmers find, buy and receive agricultural inputs in a fast, trustworthy and convenient way, as well as access markets for their produce...

By Tom Jackson 4 Jun 2018

Grant agreement to enhance supply and utilisation of fertiliser in Africa

FAPA donors and the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership have signed a grant agreement which will help increase affordability, accessibility and incentives for fertiliser use among smallholder farmers in Africa and expand the supply and distribution of fertiliser by leveraging investments...

25 May 2018

Nampo 2018: South African agriculture is live and well

Despite the uncertainties currently facing South African producers, Nampo 2018 saw a new record in attendance figures, with positive feedback from exhibitors...

24 May 2018

Fertilisers & GMOs South Africa

#MandelaMonth

Using the spirit of Ubuntu to address knowledge gaps on Wikipedia

Steers funds Shout initiative in launching their fourth Shout 'dream station' library on Mandela Day

Here's how to navigate the complexity of philanthropy

Business

'South Africa Matters' in the spotlight at 2018 In Good Company Conference

Energy transition's impact on jobs needs standardised metrics