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 […]
Sappi achieves PEFC Group Scheme certification for small growers
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2023-12-21 In Blog Photo (supplied): Sobengwe Trading from Ixopo is one of the first Sappi Khulisa grower participants to achieve PEFC certification. Sappi, a member of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), recently announced that five small timber growers in KwaZulu-Natal have made history by becoming the first participants in the Sappi Khulisa programme […]
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 […]
Building the Business Case for Conservation Agriculture and Redefining Our Approach to Feeding the World
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2024-01-12 In Blog Written by Justin Platt, Founder & CEO, Zylem and RegenZ Let’s talk about how we grow our food. There’s a bit of a debate going on between two ways of doing things. On one side, there’s the traditional farming method that uses a lot of chemicals to grow crops. They worry that changing how we farm […]
60% of Africa’s food is based on wheat, rice and maize – the continent’s crop treasure trove is being neglected
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2024-01-15 In Blog Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine African countries have become reliant on a few food items. Just 20 plant species now provide 90% of our food, with three – wheat, maize and rice – accounting for 60% of all calories consumed on the continent and globally. This deprives the continent of […]
Ultra-processed foods: here’s what the evidence actually says about them
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2024-01-17 In Blog Eric Robinson, University of Liverpool The perils of ultra-processed foods received widespread coverage in recent months – thanks in no small part to the publication and promotion of TV presenter and doctor of virology Chris Van Tulleken’s book Ultra-Processed People. Ultra-processed foods, in short, are commercially manufactured food products that include ingredients you wouldn’t cook […]
Ultra-processed foods: here’s what the evidence actually says about them
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2024-01-17 In Blog Eric Robinson, University of Liverpool The perils of ultra-processed foods received widespread coverage in recent months – thanks in no small part to the publication and promotion of TV presenter and doctor of virology Chris Van Tulleken’s book Ultra-Processed People. Ultra-processed foods, in short, are commercially manufactured food products that include ingredients you wouldn’t cook […]
An African history of cannabis offers fascinating and heartbreaking insights – an expert explains
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2024-01-19 In Blog Written by Chris S. Duvall, University of New Mexico When I tell people that I research cannabis, I sometimes receive a furtive gesture that implies and presumes: “We’re both stoners!”, as if two members of a secret society have met. Other times, I receive looks of concern. “You don’t want to be known as […]
Revolutionising Africa’s smallholder farming communities through technology
Jehiel Oliver, founder and CEO of Hello Tractor, recently discussed the convergence of African traditions, technology, and agriculture. Addressing the continent’s potential as well as its challenges, Oliver presents a refreshing vision for the future of farming here
Diseases on farms in South Africa: recent outbreaks point to weaknesses in the system
South Africa has had a number of outbreaks of animal diseases in recent months that suggest there are weaknesses in the country’s biosecurity system.