Five new farms attain WWF Conservation Champion status
WWF South Africa welcomes five new farms into its prestigious Conservation Champion programme that recognises environmental leaders in the Cape winelands. Conservation Champion farms are committed to regenerative farming practices, including conserving natural systems and biodiversity on their land and optimal water and energy efficiency.
South African citrus celebrates record breaking export season with 146 million cartons of fruit
“Ten months ago, in March 2020, we predicted a bumper export season, estimating that export volumes would reach 143 million cartons of fruit. Now that the final export figures are in, we can announce a record-breaking 2020 export season that delivered 146 million cartons of South African citrus to the rest of the world,” said Justin Chadwick CEO of the Citrus Grower’s Association in South Africa.
Vinpro Approaches Courts to Save the South African Wine Industry
As one of the oldest agricultural industries in the country, which supports the livelihoods of 269 000 employees, generates R55 billion in revenue for the economy and builds a strong brand reputation as a unique asset for the country, the South African wine industry has become part of our cultural and economic fabric.
Ban on wine sales: Stop the absurdity
Much more than the frustration in the market place of wine lovers struggling to get their hands on a bottle wine or than guests visiting the Boland being disappointed because wine tasting at an expensive cellar restaurant is also prohibited, farmers, workers and towns are suffering as a result of a draconic measure prohibiting the sale and transport of wine.
Cannabis industry could help reboot economy if laws are eased
The cannabis trade could dramatically bolster South Africa’s economy if authorities followed global trends and eased the country’s prohibitively regulated industry, according to the Cannabis Trade Association Africa (CTAA).
Top Brewers and Bartenders wow with Indigenous Ingredients in Drinks this Festive Season
Local brewers and mixologists are capitalising on the opportunity which South Africa’s rich plant life presents by developing unique beverages for local and international markets, enhancing sensory experiences for tourists and locals alike.
Wow, can wood really make that?
For millennia, trees have provided mankind with fuel, food, fibre and medicine from their fruit, flowers, roots, wood, leaves and branches. In fact, many things we use daily are connected to wood. Printer paper, chewing gum, planks, viscose fabric, vitamins, pallets, toilet tissue, toothpaste, and detergents all have a link back to wood.
Developing Nestlé’s first Net Zero Dairy Farm in South Africa
Nestlé has announced the Skimmelkrans Net Zero Carbon Emissions Project: an ambition to create the company’s first carbon neutral dairy farm, located in George, South Africa. Nestlé has committed that by 2023, the farm will be carbon net zero.
Pulling the wool over … our faces
The pandemic face masks look set to be an environmental burden – disaster even – for decades to come. What about masks made from wool?
Producer associations and stepping up to the plate
At the virtual meeting last week, a member of the parliamentary Portfolio committee for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development asked the National Agriculture Marketing Council (NAMC) why smallholder farmers were selling products to other producers, instead of being linked directly with markets.