“Energy farmer”, wins R100 000 funding for project
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Thabang Mabapa was announced the winner of the “business pitch challenge” at an event held in Mamelodi, Pretoria, over the weekend. His Limpopo-based project, Selokong Sa Dimelana, involves engaging local small-scale farmers to grow castor seed crops. This is used for the commercial production of an alternative biofuel. Mabapa […]
West Coast media trip: part 2 (Moutonshoek and Verlorenvlei)
The dust brought up the rear as the two buses came to a halt outside the furtherest buildings on Klein Namaquafontein, one of the farms making up the Moutonshoek Protected Environment.
West Coast media trip: part 3 (Elandsbaai)
The sight of the sea greeted me in the morning, that great mirror of something forgotten within ourselves, about ourselves …
Threats, challenges and opportunities: youth and agriculture
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog As the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has set out in its 5-million jobs document, youth excluded from the labour force for long periods are deprived of on-the-job learning opportunities – and no-one learns as fast as youth. The International Labour Organisation estimates that between 80 to 100 million youth worldwide […]
Sustainable water and sanitation solutions for South Africa
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Press release: Strategic Water Partners Network South Africa With the gap between supply and demand for water expected to reach 17% by 2030, many South Africans will be required to radically change their attitudes to the way in which this precious commodity is being used and conserved, especially in the treatment […]
Pigs like to live in mud
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Do you know that pigs roll in mud to protect themselves against the sun and extreme temperatures, or against flies and parasites? Perhaps you knew, but many think that pigs just like to be dirty and to live in mud. The average person knows little about these intelligent creatures. Commercial […]
Corn and viciss … wot?
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog There is a lovely word in the English language — vicissitude. It is a noun and refers to the way things change. Speak of the vicissitudes of life and your audience will listen intently, aware that your tidings might mean some adaption is required in their world. We […]
A letter from Judy Stuart
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog We received the following letter from Judy Stuart who started and runs the Future Farmers Foundation. Naturally we receive feedback on the Agri Handbook gratefully, but it is the hope and positive perception on youth and on agriculture that shines from Ms Stuart that we would like to share with […]
The value of the African fish
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog For those of you who may have missed it, The Value of African Fish on the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) website provides a fascinating read. The fisheries sector in Africa employs around 2.1 per cent of her population. About 7.5% of these work with aquaculture, 42.2% are processors and […]
On saints and personas: Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog When people turn another person into a saint they let themselves off the hook — and create a situation which psychically calls for redress and balance. You will find evidence of this in any country or community (especially religious) which holds up a mental idea of the ideal citizen or ideal […]