Alternative agricultural practices reduce GHG emissions, bolster yields

Engineering News Online reports that 14 scientists, drawn from 12 countries and writing in the January edition of the peer-reviewed journal Science, argue that the world's agriculture sector can contribute to climate change mitigation, while at the same time helping countries to adapt to climate change. 10 Feb 2012 11:55

dti moots small business census

The Department of Trade and Industry wants to run a regular small business census to help improve its support and funding to the sector as part of a revised policy to boost support to small businesses. 9 Feb 2012 09:09

SONA in a nutshell

Union and business representatives have welcomed President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation address to Parliament and, while the speech was held by some observers to be uninspiring it contained a lot of detail about the government's plans to boost jobs and invest in infrastructure. 10 Feb 2012 10:06

New Angolan surveillance vessels fight illegal fishing

Romania based Damen Shipyards Galati is building the 'Ngola Kiluange' a 62m Fishery Inspection Surveillance Vessel (FISV), for the Angolan Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, Forbes reports. Two more ships are being built to further strengthen the Angolan's ability to control the country's rich fishing grounds. 8 Feb 2012 12:26

AgriSA to farmers: seek engagement, not confrontation

Moeletsi Mbeki became the darling of local commercial farmers when he advised South Africa's agricultural trade association (AgriSA), late last year and again last week, to dump its strategy of engagement with the government and get confrontational, Business Live reports. 13 Feb 2012 12:11

Prasa to invest R136bn on trains, infrastructure

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) is to spend R136bn to acquire about 7000 new trains and upgrade and modernise train stations. 15 Feb 2012 07:45

Cape business welcomes R1bn port tariff cut

[Paul Vecchiatto] The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the announcement in the state of the nation speech that port tariffs are to be reduced by about R1bn. 13 Feb 2012 12:21

Full steam for Bloem to Maseru train

[Michael Thakadu] Free State MEC for roads and transport Butana Khompela has unveiled plans to introduce a mainline train between Bloemfontein and Maseru, in neighbouring Lesotho. 6 Feb 2012 07:10

Significant gains in different economic sectors

Significant economic results show that the volume growth of electricity was up by 20% year-on-year (y/y) and Business Live says that coal exports from Richards Bay surged by 34,3% y/y in January. 13 Feb 2012 13:44

Business confidence falls in January

Business confidence fell to its lowest level since May 2010, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said. 9 Feb 2012 09:33

Sub-Saharan Africa's feed-industry challenges

Animal feed scientist Dr Hinner Köster is partner and technical director at the Pretoria based Animate Animal Health (Pty). Writing in the feed industry blog allaboutfeed.net, Köster emphasises the major role the feed industry plays within the agricultural sector in a developing country such as South Africa. 8 Feb 2012 11:40

Should SA communal lands be privatised?

According to the Mail and Guardian Online, land reform will become an even hotter topic this year as the debate revolves around whether or not to privatise communal land and what this would mean for current social and economic systems linked to the land use. 6 Feb 2012 12:20

Road show to get South Africans weather smart

A campaign to sensitise South Africans to extreme weather conditions is well underway in the continued spate of bad weather which has killed people and destroyed houses and road infrastructure. 15 Feb 2012 08:01