Wetlands are superheroes: expert sets out how they protect people and places
In the past, wetlands were often seen as undesirable landscapes – waterlogged areas that were difficult to navigate, impossible to build on or farm, and a source of pests such as mosquitoes.
Seeds of Change: Insights from Dr. Mike Barrow’s Quest for Resilient Maize Varieties
Written by Zylem and RegenZ We recently caught up with Dr Mike Barrow to discuss the reintroduction of maize genetics into modern breeding programmes, particularly for small-scale farmers. Dr Barrow worked as a Maize Breeder for Pannar for 37 years. His numerous hybrids were widely sold in Africa within the small-scale sector. For over three […]
South Africa and renewable energy: a 12-year old programme offers insights for countries moving to cleaner power sources
Written by Aalia Cassim, University of the Witwatersrand; Imraan Valodia, University of the Witwatersrand; Julia Taylor, University of the Witwatersrand, and Rod Crompton, University of the Witwatersrand There are many unknowns about how societies will manage the climate transition. And the associated energy transition from fossil fuel-based energy to renewable energy. The climate transition will require significant levels of investment – estimated at […]
Advanced feed mixer improves dairy cattle health
Choosing the right feeding system can mean the difference between a thriving herd or one that just exists according to Dylan Eagleston who recently made the switch to a Trioliet feed mixer. The Stockton Farm is a dairy farm based in Creighton KwaZulu Natal where Dylan has used the Trioliet Feeding Wagon for several months […]
Soil: where food begins
Much like the air we breathe and the water we drink, we take the soil in which our food grows for granted too often. World Soil Day, celebrated on 5 December, helps to raise awareness of this life-giving resource. This year, Syngenta supports the cause through a focus on root health. The theme for World […]
Water crisis in South Africa: damning report finds 46% contamination, 67% of treatment works near to breaking down
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2023-12-11 In Blog Written by Anja du Plessis, University of South Africa A new report by South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation paints a grim picture of the quality of the country’s drinking water, and its water infrastructure. The Blue Drop Audit Report is meant to ensure that water service authorities are held accountable […]
COP28’s Food, Agriculture and Water Day secures major commitments to address climate impacts and keep 1.5C within reach
COP28’s Food, Agriculture and Water Day saw major announcements on climate action for both water and food security and decarbonization, as countries demonstrated their commitment to implement the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action (the Declaration). H.E Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment and […]
Key challenges that constrained SA’s agricultural fortunes in 2023
Written by Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz chief economist As the year draws to a close, it is worth reflecting on critical events that dominated the South African agricultural scene over the past year. There are three in particular that stood out for us. Load-shedding First, the intense and persistent load-shedding right from the start of the year was […]
Agriculture challenges in South Africa: we need a different lens
What are the challenges facing agriculture in South Africa at present? It’s a question with almost as many answers as there are farmers and other agriculturists in this country. Christian Giesel, head of marketing at Syngenta South Africa, proposes that looking at the challenges differently offers novel solutions. It is no secret that ours is […]
Wanting to buy a basic hard copy book on agriculture?
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2024-01-09 In Blog Some of our most popular blogs have been where we answer queries from visitors. We thought it was time to do another one. Today a visitor asked advice on where to purchase a hard copy of a basic agriculture book. Thank you for your query. I will answer as best I […]