Farm Africa: six phases in making money from aquaculture
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Farm Africa is an NGO working with communities in Africa to “end hunger … grow farming”. Its July newsletter includes an 8-minute video on aquaculture, farming with fish. The video takes the viewer through 6 stages, from building the small dam to harvesting this vital source of protein. I enjoyed […]
AMCU, FAWU and Numsa to strike again for 1% pay rise
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Just kidding. But it is the amount that the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK are on strike for. Here in South Africa it is more common to demand double digit pay rises. The Communication Workers Union (CWU), for example, is currently demanding a 15% pay rise. The strikes […]
The story of your life in 18 minutes
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog How would you tell the story of your life in 18 minutes? Think about it for a moment. The spotlight is shining on you and an audience of several hundred are watching. Where would you begin? Imagine telling the story of the world in 18 minutes. It’s what David Christian does. […]
And so say all of us!
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog South Africa’s cumulative trade deficit was R71.4-billion [USD 6.2-billion] in 2013. A year later, according to the South African Revenue Service (Sars), it was R95.3-billion [USD 8.3-billion]. We’re going in the wrong direction. So a slight feeling of relief then at the news that in the month of […]
R3-million research fund launched in the Western Cape
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog The Western Cape’s alternative crops received a boost this week when the provincial government announced the launch of a R3-million research fund to run for this financial year. The aim is to strengthen exports and land reform around these crops which include berries, fynbos, honeybush and pomegranates. They are export-orientated and have high […]
Milling
Introduction Milling is the agro-processing end of the grain industry. Milling grain involves breaking the grain open so that the bran and endosperm are separated, and then processed for further uses. White maize and wheat flour milling are the core business in milling, while associated business are baking, pasta, wet milling (see next heading), animal […]
The link between nutrition and poverty
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-05-23 In Blog If it is not the major challenge facing planet Earth today, it is certainly one of the top three: inequality. Various reasons are advanced for it, which we won’t go into here (it will be a chapter on its own on this website soon). We came across another, complementary perspective […]
Essential oils
Introduction An oil is “essential” in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. Essential oils do not, as a group, need to have any specific chemical properties in common, beyond conveying characteristic aromas. They are extracted from flowers, grasses, stems, seeds, leaves, roots, bark, fruit, moss and tree secretions […]
Hides, skins and leather
Introduction The leather industry has been around for thousands of years – ever since humankind began hunting animals. Hides and skins are a by-product of the meat industry, so supply does not react to demand for leather, but for meat. Leather is used in the automotive, footwear, furniture, clothing, leather goods and exotic leathers (e.g. […]
Canning and preserving
Introduction Canning and preserving fruit and vegetables holds numerous advantages for human beings and food security. Food is placed in the airtight container and cooked during the canning process, which safeguards the food from decay. No preservatives are needed. The transport and storage of food is easier. Food can be stored for long periods of […]