Labour laws to set new course

In March, cabinet approved the submission of the amendment bills for the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) to Parliament. The two will deal with the phenomenon of labour broking and child labour, among other things. 2 May 2012 07:08

Nampo 2012 showcases its first complete wheat mill

Engineering News reports that this year's Grain SA Nampo Harvest Day will feature its first-ever complete wheat mill display, courtesy of Kroonstad-based mill provider Maize Master, who plans to launch the improved small system wheat mill at the event. 15 May 2012 13:32

Gauteng corridor needs R500bn

Preliminary estimates indicated that R500bn would be required for the construction of the Gauteng-to-Durban corridor, of which an estimated R100bn would be needed for the development of the port precinct, Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele said in Parliament late last week. 30 Apr 2012 07:57

E-toll saga deepens, Fedusa sends Zuma open letter

In an open letter to President Jacob Zuma, the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) says it has referred the issue of tolling prices, and how they are calculated, to the Competition Commission. Fedusa is seeking an urgent meeting with the president to discuss the issue. 23 Apr 2012 14:12

Emerging markets forecast to drive dairy industry boom

[Hopewell Radebe] An international index has forecast growth for the dairy industry from an expected rise in prosperity and buying power among consumers in emerging markets including Africa. 7 May 2012 14:40

Chinese fund to increase agriculture investment in Africa

China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund) is considering partnerships with agriculture development banks in some African countries in order to expand its investments on the continent, CADFund's vice president Hu Zhirong said, according to Allafrica.com. 22 May 2012 13:45

US to invest US$3bn in African agriculture - Obama

Over 45 companies have committed to a multi-billion dollar investment in Africa's agricultural sector as part of the G8's New Alliance for Food and Nutrition Security initiative, US President Barack Obama announced. 21 May 2012 11:48

Wine industry expects a promising grape crop

The South African wine industry is excited about a particularly promising wine grape crop, both in terms of quality and volume. The harvest season was characterised by healthy, ideal growing conditions and a cool, though lengthened, harvesting period without rain or prolonged heat. 10 May 2012 10:35

First SA black female agri-economist PhD graduates

The North West University Mafikeng campus scored a first during its recent graduation when graduate Karabo Mabe became the first black woman in South Africa to attain a PhD in agricultural economics. 16 May 2012 12:37

Ford supports NAMPO Agricultural Show

Ford will once again participate in the largest agricultural show in the southern hemisphere, Nampo. Taking place at Nampo Park in the Free State from 15 to 18 May 2012 the event is the highlight of the year for the agricultural community. Ford has been an ardent supporter of the show for many years and will once again display its products and be on-hand to interact with the public. 16 May 2012 07:40

US Agriculture hosts food security seminar

By 2100 the world's population will exceed ten billion and more than 80% of that population will be resident in Africa and Asia, according to the United Nations. Right now, world population growth coupled with the economic crisis and its resultant higher food prices and falling consumption mean that the world, and Africa in particular, is facing a food security crisis. 9 May 2012 10:45

Water scarcity's impact on future SA farming

The Mail & Guardian reports that two decades of high rainfall have masked South Africa's traditional water scarcity, whose impact on crop farming will soon be one of SA's biggest problems. 8 May 2012 07:12

Grain SA helps land reform beneficiaries to settle

Grain SA's Farmer Development Programme (FDP) has partnered with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) to empower developing farmers across the country, Engineering News reports. 11 May 2012 13:53