Most read Agriculture, Horticulture & Forestry news in South Africa

New WWF report calls for radical overhaul of our food system

A new WWF South Africa report, Agri-Food Systems: Facts and Futures, has called for a fundamental overhaul of our food system which, in its current form, it says, is a threat to the environment and human health.

18 hours ago

Hortgro's Nicholas Dicey named new WAPA president

Nicholas Dicey, chairman of Hortgro, has been elected president of the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA). A fourth generation deciduous fruit producer from Wolseley in the Western Cape and graduate from Stellenbosch University, Dicey joined the family business in 1992. He runs La Plaisante Estate with his two brothers, Anthony and Peter, and together they produce pears, plums, and peaches for the local and export market.

21 hours ago

New WWF Nedbank Green Trust water project brings KNP, smallholder farmers together

Reuben Leyane's 25-hectare farm is on the Sabie River, 1,5km from the Kruger National Park (KNP) fence and 12,5km from the town of Hazyview. The smallholder farmer has farmed here since 1991, selling vegetables to local hawkers in Hazyview and to the government school feeding scheme.

1 day ago

International push to improve food safety

Greater international cooperation is needed to prevent unsafe food from causing ill health and hampering progress towards sustainable development, world leaders said at the opening session of the First International Food Safety Conference, in Addis Ababa, organised by the African Union (AU), the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

1 day ago

How to fight climate change in agriculture while protecting jobs

Agriculture has become a carbon-intensive endeavour. Crop, livestock and fossil fuel use in agriculture account for about 25% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

By Laxmi Pant 2 days ago

Agriculture continues to create jobs despite tough three years

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille says drought recovery has started with provincial agriculture and agri-processing sectors adding a combined 35,000 jobs between the third and fourth quarters of 2018. Despite the three years of drought, the two sectors still managed to create 10,000 jobs since 2015.

2 days ago

Why poor storage and handling are to blame for Uganda's poor quality seed

The quality of purchased seeds, such as maize, groundnuts and others, is a major concern in Uganda.

By Nathan Fiala 15 Feb 2019

ATS, TuksNovation partner in promoting agricultural innovation in SA

AFGRI Technology Services (ATS) has partnered with the University of Pretoria's TuksNovation to foster innovation in the agricultural sector in SA.

15 Feb 2019

5 ways our food supply chain will transform in 5 years

IBM has revealed the five significant changes driven by innovation in science and technology that will transform every stage of the food supply chain within the next five years.

14 Feb 2019

Dams can mimic the free flow of rivers, but risks must be managed

In recent decades, humans have built many dams. These are designed to regulate flow for irrigation, hydropower and water supply. Most major rivers in the world are dammed.

By Matthew McCartney and Fritz Kleinschroth 14 Feb 2019

Hunger in Africa still rising - new UN report

According to new data presented in joint UN report the Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition, 237 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are suffering from chronic undernutrition, derailing the gains made in the past years.

14 Feb 2019

Ugandan company uses blockchain to track journey of its coffee

Uganda's Carico Café Connoisseur is using blockchain technology to track the supply chain of the coffee it sells. The launch of Carico's premium African coffees comes at a time when consumers are demanding that the products they consume are traceable, especially when it comes to coffee, an industry that used to be known for exploitative practices.

13 Feb 2019

Macadamia industry, government collaboration needed to secure competitive advantage

South Africa's macadamia industry is the largest producer globally, but its competitive advantage could be under threat due to a lack of collaboration with government.