The collapse of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector from the early 2000s is well documented, and largely attributed to ill-conceived land reform policies.

Winter wheat harvest process is in full swing in the Western Cape, with the progress made thus far reflected on the producer deliveries data which amounted to 250 376 tonnes in the week of 02 November 2018.

South Africa is often referred to as the 30th driest country in the world, a claim that's based on its average annual rainfall of 500mm compared to the world average of 860mm. National rainfall averages have a purpose.

The use of lion parts in commercial trade is one of the major emerging threats to wild lions and could facilitate illegal trade.

A final report on the land reform debate in South Africa is expected to be produced by Parliament come 15 November. However, seeing as the process has been dogged by delays and procedural missteps, South Africans shouldn’t hold their collective breaths. Whatever decision is made is likely to be highly controversial. But this below piece outlines some rational proposals to deal with land reform properly without wrecking the economy. –

South Africa would experience an “imminent socio-economic disaster” if expropriation without compensation (EWC) was pursued, with the anticipated decline in gross domestic product (GDP) possibly leading to a loss of more than 2.28 million jobs, according to an independent economic impact assessment of the proposed policy.

In its Agri Commodities Monthly Report for October, Rabobank noted short-term support for wheat futures worldwide on the basis of tightening global fundamentals. 

As the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai came to an end, attention turns to the South African beef industry – one of the clear winners of increased favourable relations between China and South Africa (SA). 

One should never preannounce the focus of their next column, because one never knows what the next day might hold.

The drier weather conditions, which have been a hindering factor for maize planting activity in the western parts of South Africa, could ease as the weather forecast for the next two weeks shows prospects of higher rainfall over most parts of the country.

Every year, agricultural writers working in different parts of South Africa (SA) nominate their local candidates for farmer, agriculturist and new entrant into commercial farming as regional winners.

Heatwave conditions will prevail over the western and northern interior with isolated thundershowers in the eastern to northeastern interior until the weekend. Thundershowers in the northeast will become more widespread from Sunday.

Staffing firm the ManpowerGroup has released its Talent Shortage report for 2018, showing the difficulties faced around employment.

Agri SA confirms its position that expropriation without compensation (EWC) will have dire socio-economic impacts. The danger of EWC is especially pertinent as the constitutional review committee (CRC) is expected to finalise their recommendation on the amendment of section 25 of the Constitution this week.

Agri SA will today roll out the next phase of its tactical plan against expropriation without compensation (EWC).

So folks, today the review Committee made its recommendation and got everybody talking about land reform in South Africa. It is largely what we expected, but there’s still a long way to go before we know what the amendments are really going to look like. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, but this is a topic for another day. 

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Thursday, dismissed accusations by opposition parties that the process which led to the adoption of a draft report by members of Parliament (MPs) in favour of changing the Constitution to explicitly provide for land expropriation without compensation was a sham.

Why data could be the deciding factor in Africa’s agricultural transformation. The world has a palm oil problem.

A messy and protracted fight over property rights is looming in South Africa after a panel of lawmakers said the constitution must be changed to make it easier to seize land without paying for it.

Wine industry representative body Vinpro expects 2019 wine grape crops will return to normal levels in most regions, owing to good rainfall after a three-year-long drought.