Table of contents for 02 August 2019 in Farmer's Weekly

Far too often, when we talk about supporting farmers and about developing the wider agriculture sector, the needs of new farmers and small-scale farmers on the one hand, and those of established commercial farmers on the other, are treated as if they are wildly different. This creates the impression that there has to be completely separate support strategies for these two groups of farmers. However, this is only true to a small extent. The greater truth is that many of the needs of farmers, regardless of the size or development stage of the business, overlap. I absolutely agree that in South Africa the primary focus of public sector support and involvement in the farming sector should be on promoting the growth of new and developing farmers. However, the method of…

This letter is a response to the editorial, ‘A new old broom for agriculture’ (FW, 26 July), which discussed the recent budget speech in Parliament by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza. The editorial described Didiza as taking a step back and thinking about the state of agriculture before implementing any action. It also said that “this period of reflection, interrogation and thought is of crucial importance,” and urged farmers and readers to be patient during this process. I have been an avid reader of the Farmer’s Weekly for more than two decades. ‘DIDIZA IS NOT BEING PAID TO DELIVER HOPE; WE NEED ACTION’ As a matter of rule and principle, I decided years ago to refuse the temptation to comment on the content of…

If the US maize crop had been at an advanced stage of growth, the latest US Department of Agriculture (USDA) report would have convinced me that the supplies were in better shape than initially feared. In its latest report, the USDA increased its estimate for maize production in that country by 1% to 352 million tons. This improvement, coupled with an uptick in production in the Black Sea Region’s estimates, led to a 1% increase in the 2019/2020 global maize production estimate to 1,1 billion tons. This will, however, still be 2% less than the 2018/2019 harvest. GLOBAL SOYA BEAN PRODUCTION IS DOWN 4% ON LAST YEAR’S SEASON But the crop is not yet at an advanced stage of development, and the production estimates could change notably in next month’s…

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is expected to spend about R400 million over the next three years to establish a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) research facility. This was one of the budget allocations mentioned by Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza as she tabled the first budget of her new department in Parliament recently. Didiza said that agricultural research remained important in supporting the work done in the sector. She added that institutions and systems for service delivery had to be strengthened, and emphasised the need for ethical conduct. Commenting on the ARC, she highlighted its role in fulfilling the department’s Programme 2, which was aimed at managing risks in plant and animal health. The ARC would be commencing with the FMD diagnostic facility soon, she said.…

Genetic modification will become an important tool in feeding the world’s growing population, which is expected to reach 10 billion people by 2050. Rising global temperatures and scarcer water supplies will necessitate a dramatic change in the way food is produced, and increased investment in technologies such as genetic engineering will play a vital role in this regard, according to a report by the World Resources Institute in the US. Crops must become not only more productive, but also more resilient, due to the challenges of climate change such as disease, pests, droughts and floods. “We have to increase yields dramatically at an even higher rate than we’ve done historically,” said Tim Searchinger, the lead author of the report. “Fertiliser use has largely been maxed out, and available water is…

A string of farm attacks across the Western Cape has resulted in increased awareness of safety and security among farmers and agricultural communities in the province, according to Jannie Strydom, chief executive of Agri Western Cape. He recently addressed members of the Agricultural Writers South Africa’s !Xhariep region to discuss their upcoming annual conference, as well as pressing issues in the region’s agriculture sector. According to Strydom, the Western Cape’s agriculture sector had been too comfortable for too long. “Recently, there has been a fairly sharp increase in safety awareness. “We have also picked up a great increase in interest among our members in associations for farm watch systems and radios.” He added that the current level of violence used by assailants was unprecedented, as was seen in a recent…

It is necessary to engage all stakeholders in the agriculture sector, including trade unions and the Department of Labour, to find solutions to workplace issues affecting service delivery from the agriculture department’s extension officers. This was reiterated by the more than 300 extension officers, academics and government officials from across South Africa at the recent annual conference of the South African Society for Agricultural Extension (SASAE) in Kimberley. SASAE president Mantombi Mbongo also asked if the acceleration of the land reform process in South Africa took into account whether the department’s extension and advisory services had the necessary resources and capacity. She said a problem that the agriculture department was currently grappling with was that too many officials were raising matters related to workplace challenges. ATTENTION IS NOT BEING GIVEN…

Conflict among land reform beneficiaries or land claimants that turns violent is a common occurrence in South Africa. This was according to Siyabonga Sithole, the land rights programme coordinator of land rights advocacy at the Association for Rural Advancement. He was responding to a recent incident in KwaZulu-Natal where the manager of a land reform farm was thrown into a fire by assailants, reportedly as a result of conflict within the beneficiary community. Sithole told Farmer’s Weekly that such conflicts were particularly prevalent in cases where a farm was subject to both a land restitution claim and a labour tenancy claim by different parties. Such claims were processed separately by two different components within the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (agriculture department), and land restitution claims had…

South Africa’s farmers operate in a toxic business environment. They are highly taxed, struggle to raise finance, face input cost pressure, and endure lack of security in terms of their land and assets. How can you protect yourself as a farmer? The first step is to have a ‘corporate shield’ between yourself and this business environment. Put another way, you should ensure that active trading takes place in one entity, a private company, with your financial assets held at arm’s length, away from risk of personal insolvency. At times, however, even using a company as a shield is not foolproof. When liabilities are excessive, South African company law holds that creditors might be able to hold top management of the entity personally liable. Great care should thus be taken to…

PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND. I was born and bred in Zimbabwe, have done business in more than 20 African countries over the past two decades, and have completed a doctorate on the impact of institutional factors on strategies employed by multinationals venturing into the continent. My passion is to see Africans capitalise on opportunities in Africa. YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS AN AFRICAN REALIST. WHY? I look at the opportunities and challenges in Africa through a healthy blend of optimism and reality. THERE WAS MUCH HYPE SOME YEARS AGO ABOUT THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN AFRICA. WHY WAS THIS? The continent’s population is expected to double to two billion by 2030, which implies a huge consumption base for industrialised countries wanting to push their products onto growing markets. Where…

As I melted the Gorgonzola into the already creamy sauce, it became clear to me that this dish required a wine of standing, something from the higher shelves in the liquor store. When the dish is as high-browed, rich, full-flavoured and decadent as this, a wine of reputation is needed to complete the experience in a fitting manner. This isn’t simply due to the ingredients, but because every mouthful needs a wine of substance, body and depth of flavour as well as a freshness to clean the lingering creaminess from one’s tongue. No easy shopping list, I know, so will the real Chardonnay please stand up? Allow me to introduce you to DeMorgenzon Reserve Chardonnay. It’s the perfect balance of fruit, wood influence and acidity. The initial buttery creaminess is…

Organic purple grape juice is healthy, but high in sugar, and daily consumption of wine is not recommended due to the adverse effects of alcohol. In contrast, sugar-free grapeseed extracts provide all the beneficial effects of grapes without the kilojoules in grape juice or the alcohol from wine (not to mention pesticide residue and preservatives). A grapeseed supplement contains bioflavonoids, which benefit the circulatory system, as well as antioxidant catechins, procyanidins and proanthocyanidins. It also provides the same benefits as purple grape juice or red wine: inhibition of LDL-cholesterol oxidation (the true reason cholesterol is dangerous); antiplatelet activity; protection of blood vessels by blocking enzymes that break down the lining of the capillaries and supportive tissues that give the blood vessels strength and elasticity; and relaxation of the blood vessels…

According to mybroadband.co.za, MultiChoice is struggling to hold on to its DStv Premium subscribers, with thousands of people having dumped the service in favour of more affordable options. Thanks to cheaper solutions such as uncapped fibre services, users can now acquire reliable and fast Internet connections and don’t have to rely on DStv for their entertainment. Here are a number of the alternatives available: • Cell C Black (R99/month) This channel offers subscribers 40 live television channels, including live sports, and a vast selection of movies and TV series to rent and stream through its online platform. It also offers a number of daily, weekly and monthly packages, such as football club TV channels, as ‘custom content’. • Netflix (R99/month to R169/month) This channel has a wide variety of movies, documentaries and…

“Worldwide, an average of three babies are born every second. This means that the global population grows by about 162 600 people per day, roughly equivalent to the population of George (157 000) or Midrand (173 000). At the same time, spatial change is at a peak within the urban landscape, with 65% of South Africa’s population currently residing in cities. Our growing cities are also increasingly expensive living places characterised by urban sprawl and amplified travel distances, growing carbon footprints, increased energy consumption, and complicated distribution networks. All this leads to higher food prices and greater food wastage, neither of which are beneficial to the urban poor. Recent data from Statistics South Africa suggests that 70% of urban households in South Africa live in conditions of food insecurity. BRINGING…

After reading the Farmer’s Weekly article, ‘Urban agriculture ideal for combating food insecurity (5 July), I have been surfing the Internet for gardening systems that I could effectively use and implement in the city. I have found YouTube to be a wealth of information: by simply searching for ‘urban farming’ or ‘homesteading’, I have come across hundreds of videos of people using different methods of setting up urban farms that include smallholdings to backyards, or even verandas, as well as rooftops and vertical farms. I would recommend that anyone interested in urban farming watch these videos as a small plot of land can adequately support a family. Thanks for a great magazine! Barry Roberts, via email…

Since replacing former president Jacob Zuma as head of state, President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it his business to clean up South African politics. But he has been handicapped by factional battles in the governing ANC, with a section of the party remaining loyal to Zuma. Testifying at the judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of state capture, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Zuma named several “apartheid-era spies” (including former Cabinet ministers Siphiwe Nyanda and Ngoako Ramatlhodi), all enemies of his, and has threatened to reveal more. These names could shake the ANC as a political party, and government, to their foundations. At the very least, it will derail Ramaphosa’s ‘new dawn’ project, discredit important people, and deepen the distrust and factionalism in the ANC. ZUMA’S TESTIMONY AT…

The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform has made it clear that changes to Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for broader implementation of land expropriation without compensation will go ahead whether those opposed to it liked it or not. This was the message from Mcebisi Skwatsha, Deputy Minister of the department, during the debate on the department’s budget vote address, delivered by agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza. Skwatsha reassured opposition MPs that South Africa would not collapse if Article 25 of the Constitution were amended. “The legislative wheels of the vehicle are in motion to change Section 25 of the Constitution. Those who always beat the drums of doom will be disappointed that the sky will not fall when the legislation is finally changed.” He said that…

The 2018/2019 citrus season in the Spanish region of Valencia has been one of the worst in recent years. This was according to a report published by La UNIÓ de Llauradors, a farmers’ union in Valencia, which indicated a 32% drop in profits from the previous season. The report showed that income had fallen €151 million (about R2,4 billion) or 40% in the case of oranges; €114 million (R1,8 billion) or 30% for mandarins; and €13 million (R203 million) or 12% for lemons. While €874 million (R13,7 billion) was generated from the sale of citrus fruit in 2017/2018, the total income this season dropped to just €595 million (R9,3 billion). In addition, almost 700 000t of the total production of just over four million tons could not be marketed, as…

The district of Loeriesfontein in the drought-stricken Northern Cape reminded him of a corpse, said Willemse Visser, a local Dorper breeder. “The veld is dead, spent and done. We are left with nothing and are dependent on the donations of animal feed we sporadically receive. It takes a superhuman effort to continue from day to day.” According to Visser, it was only “the grace of the Lord” that kept the farmers going. The people in the western parts of the Bushmanland region were battling to survive. The lack of support from government had added to a sense of isolation and desperation, he said. Livestock herds had been cut to the bare minimum, and funds for buying animal feed were either depleted or on the brink of being depleted. “We Boesmanlanders…

The KwaZulu-Natal chapter of the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (KZN AFASA) will be scrutinising the actions of Bongi Sithole-Moloi, the new MEC for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (KZN DARD), during her first 100 days in office, said KZN AFASA’s provincial secretary, Thube Zondi. This would give the association an indication of Sithole-Moloi’s ability to lead the department in achieving its mandate of developing and supporting agriculture in the province, he said. Zondi told Farmer’s Weekly that KZN AFASA was already “unhappy” about the fact that Sithole-Moloi had not yet engaged “one-on-one” with the association by the time of going to print. Sithole-Moloi, who was previously the MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation in the province, replaced Themba Mthembu, who had held the position…

A two-month strike by farmworkers of Oak Valley Estate near Grabouw has been suspended after an agreement was reached in principle. The strike started in early May, with workers demanding a wage increase of 8%, an end to labour brokering, and the closing of single-sex hostels. According to Christopher Rawbone-Viljoen, managing director of Oak Valley, the Commercial Stevedoring Agricultural and Allied Workers’ Union (CSAAWU), which represented the striking workers, had not yet signed the wage agreement offered by Oak Valley. “CSAAWU has not yet agreed to our wage offer in totality, which includes an increase of 6,5% and a housing allowance for permanent employees living off-farm. However, the majority of our workforce has signed the agreement and has been enjoying the effective benefits since 1 July.” A statement by CSAAWU…

Prior to farrowing, make sure that the sow has enough shelter and warm bedding in the form of a deep layer of sawdust or hay. This should be replaced at least once a week, as it becomes soiled and can harbour bacteria. Also check that the sow’s udder and teats are not excessively inflamed (red) or very hard; this could be a sign of an infection that might require medication. If farrowing takes place during winter, create a creep-feed corner and suspend an infrared bulb here 40cm to 50cm from the floor. Fence off the corner with an iron gate or wooden crate-type panel with gaps just wide enough for the piglets to enter and exit. Creep feed should be supplied from about four weeks of age. Vaccinate the sow…

Recently, I watched a BBC documentary about the latest scientific developments in post-harvest technology. The presenter explained that this included all handling, storage and ripening of fresh produce from harvesting to final consumption. AGEING FRUIT In the fresh produce business, the term used for the process of biological ageing is ‘senescence’. As the presenter pointed out, loss of fresh produce after harvesting can reach up to 50%, depending on where you are in the world. Some developed countries, with their sophisticated handling and storage systems, can keep this loss as low as 1% or 2%. In less developed countries, the figure shoots up to 30% or higher. LONGEVITY GENES The documentary showed scientists experimenting with gene technology in an effort to increase the shelf life of fruit. After identifying a…

27 TO 29 AUGUST Water Governance Training THIS COURSE FACILITATES THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRINCIPLES OF WATER GOVERNANCE, AND FOCUSES ON SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES, WATER USE AUTHORISATION, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A WATER USE LICENCE IS REQUIRED. IT ALSO COVERS HOW TO APPLY FOR SUCH A LICENCE. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EXPOS 30 TO 31 JULY Emerging Farmers and Agro-processing Conference, CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria.Email ryan@empiretraining.co.za. 30 TO 31 JULY PMA Fresh Connections Conference and Trade Show, Cape Town. Visit pma.com/events/ fresh-connections-southern-africa. 12 TO 16 AUGUST ALFA Expo, Afridome, Parys.Visit alfaexpo.com. 21 TO 22 AUGUST Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition, CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria. Visit fertasa.co.za/fertasa-events/ symposium. 3 TO 5 SEPTEMBER No-Till Conference, Bergville. Email Sandra Findlay at ntcsandra@gmail.com. 1 TO 3 OCTOBER Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Conference, Cape…

13 MAY 1994 Landowners help conserve birds of prey 25 YEARS AGO Raptors play an important role in the farming ecosystem, and should be protected. The Northern Cape is home to enthusiastic raptor conservationists. These landowners take pride in conserving the raptors on their properties and in certain areas, breeding eagles and vultures are protected. In recognition of these landowners’ conservation efforts, they are presented with certificates. It is also believed that this will encourage neighbouring landowners to protect these birds. Not so long ago, scavenging species, such as magnificent bateleurs, were a common sight. During the past few decades, these birds have come into conflict with man’s farming activities. Bateleurs are now listed in the Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa. Unless the factors responsible for their…

The preliminary figures for milk production in May came as a surprise to the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO), as it indicated an increase in production of 3,92%. This was according to Bertus van Heerden, chief economist at the MPO, who provided an update on the supply of unprocessed milk, which was about 256 million litres in May. “The MPO’s appraisal of the market situation in the primary dairy sector in April was that milk production was under pressure. However, with the latest available data, it seems that the MPO underestimated the production buoyancy level present in the primary industry that could lead to the type of production growth seen in May.” Important factors taken into account by the MPO during April were higher grain and oilseed prices, as well as…

It would take approximately two weeks to clear a backlog at the Ngqura Container Terminal in the Kouga Local Municipality near Port Elizabeth after workers embarked on an unprotected strike, according to Transnet. The strike took place as the citrus industry in the region was in the middle of its annual harvest. The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) confirmed earlier this month that citrus export production in the Eastern Cape was at its highest level. Justin Chadwick, CEO of the CGA, said that production of late navels, clementines, novas and lemons was peaking well above average. Transnet spokesperson Molatwane Likhethe said 13 employees had been suspended for misconduct during the strike. “Following a court order, productivity is returning to normal.” Likhethe added that the illegal action had had…

REUNION ISLAND The causal agent of black sigatoka (Pseudocercospora fijiensis), a disease prevalent in bananas, has been reported on Reunion Island. It is considered a major economic threat to bananas cultivated for export worldwide. The disease has a widespread distribution throughout the tropical regions, and was previously reported in the south-west Indian Ocean region. BULGARIA According to Bulgaria’s Agriculture, Food and Forestry Minister, Dessislava Taneva, the number of organic farmers in Bulgaria increased 20-fold between 2008 and 2018. There were now 6 600 organic farmers, and the area under biological cultivation increased from 26 000ha in 2011 to 162 000ha this year. Speaking at the Tsurnogorski Fair in south-western Bulgaria, Taneva said control systems for organic produce needed to be improved to ensure that consumers had confidence in these products…

The importance of disease management in the South African agriculture sector, especially in the livestock industry, was again emphasised at the recent National Animal Health Forum (NAHF) and Agricultural Writers South Africa liaison workshop held in Pretoria. According to Dr Pieter Vervoort, a veterinarian and the managing director of the NAHF, it was hoped that the educational and awareness programmes set up by the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform (department of agriculture) and the NAHF would help producers, particularly small-scale farmers, understand the important role of good biosecurity in livestock operations. He said this was particularly relevant for diseases such as African swine fever (AFS). He added that the trend of small-scale farmers failing to practise biosecurity measures was not a local phenomenon, but was also prevalent…

The Western Cape Agriculture Department has announced the launch of the 2019 Prestige Agri Awards, a competition aimed at recognising the hard work and dedication of the province’s agricultural workforce. According to Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, the competition acknowledged agricultural workers in 11 categories and 16 districts for the important contribution they made to the sector in the Western Cape. Speaking at the event, Meyer paid tribute to those who worked hard to ensure that agriculture continued to be one of the largest economic and job creation drivers in the province. “Farmworkers play a significant role in the Western Cape economy and in agricultural production. They put so much of their energy into ensuring that there is food security, that there is foreign exchange coming into…

Global grain production decreased in 2018 for the second year, according to the recently published outlook of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (OECD-FAO Outlook). However, the maize and rice crops were higher than in 2017. Global grain stocks also decreased for the first time in six years. Soya bean production increased as the US and Brazil both had good crops. China’s higher import tariff on US soya bean resulted in weaker demand for the commodity in feed rations, and stock levels were higher. Meat production grew in 2018, with the bulk of higher production originating in the EU, Russian Federation and US. World milk production grew 1,6% in 2018, led by a 3% increase in production in India…

Absenteeism is the most common misconduct in the workplace. But what happens when an employee is absent from work because he/she is in jail for a criminal offence unrelated to the employer’s business? Absenteeism is a form of misconduct where an employee takes a wilful decision not to attend work or report for duty on time. When an employee is arrested and jailed for a criminal offence committed outside of the workplace, the absenteeism is not an intentional decision by the employee and must therefore be regarded as ‘no-fault’ absenteeism. In legal terms, the arrest and incarceration were caused by a supervening impossibility to perform the work that the employee was hired to perform, which cannot be attributed to either the employee or the employer. In terms of the Code…

So many memoirs are filled with self-justification. In contrast, the charming story of how Nthabi Taukobong’s hardworking parents prepared their children for success is woven into one of the most candid and refreshing entrepreneurial memoirs you’ll come across. Taukobong explains in THE REAL INTERIOR (Tracey McDonald, R275) how she managed to become the African queen of interior design, but also makes clear the cost of rocketing to success too soon and too quickly. She might have been shy as a child, but she’s not shy now to open up about herself. Here are her opinions on some key aspects of her life: 1. Parents: They were both amazing role models, working their way up through their careers and making sure we got the best education they could afford. 2. Opportunity:…