Farming in Cape Town
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Have you imagined producing your own vegetables, herbs and fish on a small scale for your own consumption or for a niche market? In its latest issue, Landbouweekblad reports on something happening at the V&A Waterfront within the Mother City. Moyo restaurant, with initial help from Stellenbosch University, grows its own vegetables, herbs […]
Eucalypts and other honey bee forage plants – what you can do to help our honey bees
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog By Mbulelo Mswazi and Carol Poole, South African National Biodiversity Institute A recent study undertaken by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) revealed that gum trees, certain crops, indigenous trees and shrubs, flowering plants in suburban gardens and even roadside wildflowers or weeds are all critically important […]
Do penguins eat white maize or yellow maize?
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Hats off to Dr Herman van Schalkwyk, CEO of the AMT, for including a contribution by Philip Lymbery, author of Farmageddonand CEO of Compassion in Worldwide Farming, at the AMT Conference in the week just passed. The book and the presentation pose serious questions to future scenarios of agriculture. Included […]
Matatiele farmer reaps reward of a dream come true
In David Mongoato’s office is a picture of himself as a small child, standing in a field of tall, ripe maize plants. He knew than that he wanted to be a farmer. But the path to your destiny is seldom a straight one. David and his wife Selloane worked as teachers for many years before […]
The serious business of eating in the city
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog You are probably aware of how dependent people in the city are on supermarkets (and other shops) and the supply chains for their food. And as we head towards a scenario of 75% of the earth’s population being city dwellers, urban agriculture certainly assumes high priority. Urban agriculture […]
Toys for pigs
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Were you bored at school? From your own experience you may recall certain teachers — the way they dressed, spoke, smiled (or did not smile). You may remember the smell of the classroom, the view through the windows … worse, the whole experience might just be a blank! […]
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 […]
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 […]
The future of land reform in South Africa – the next 15 years
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-02-02 In Blog Land Reform Futures Scenarios bring a fresh perspective and new hope on discussions on land reform – a press release As pressure mounts for the acceleration of the land reform programme, stakeholders in land reform held a roundtable session this week to discuss possible scenarios. The roundtable was hosted by […]