Invasive alien species (IAS)
Introduction See https://invasives.org.za. Invasive alien species (IAS) are species that have been introduced into an area and are able to out-compete and displace indigenous or useful alien species. They may be plants, animals or microbes, including diseases, and are widely regarded as among the biggest threats to the productive use of land and water, the ecological […]
Fire management
Fire management plans, burning your veld, legal notes on firebreaks, Fire Protection Associations (FPAs), where to access information on fire management
Environmental legislation
Introduction Often, environmental issues are assumed to be “green issues”, only relating to natural resources like animals and plants. In reality, a “triple bottom line” concept must be considered when understanding the environment, i.e. ecological, economic and social aspects. It is only through the interaction of these three aspects that the real environment can be […]
Conservancies and farming
Introduction Conservancies find common ground and create a meaningful partnership between nature conservation and agriculture. The agricultural sector uses some 80% of South Africa’s 120 million hectare land surface, incorporating some of our country’s most sensitive ecosystems. Many of our country’s farmers are indeed good land conservationists. Unfortunately, with ever increasing financial, resource and manpower […]
Birds and farming
This page looks at the role of birds in farming. It includes a look at owls, the Red-billed Oxpecker and vultures; avitourism, and where you can out find more.
Climate change and global warming
Introduction The 13th of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) addresses climate. Several gases in the atmosphere trap energy from the sun – and warm the earth. Without this “greenhouse effect” life would not be possible on this planet. Our activities over the past two centuries though, especially the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil, have […]
Energy
Energy-smart farming: how to save electricity in farming activities
Food security
Introduction The availability of food is the starting point of all life. The main issue around food is whether people can afford it, a nutritious adequate diet that makes for healthy human beings. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) defines food security as “A situation that exists when all people, at all times, have […]
HIV and AIDS
Introduction An important message to the person finding out that they are infected is that a healthy, continued life is possible (don’t give up!) Studies point to the enormous difference made by nutrition, basic food safety, adequate sleep and a positive attitude. And ARV medication holds out a lifeline. Farm workers are the most under-serviced […]
Biosecurity
Introduction People don’t think of the far-reaching consequences of an action like bringing fruit illegally across the border, or of buying unmarked pigs at an auction. It might be out of innocence and ignorance that biosecurity measures are flouted, but the revenue lost can amount to billions of rand which can bring a whole sector […]