Farmer's Weekly 30 July 2021

Will we be able to come back from this? Perhaps. But to quote a line from the song Tevrede? (‘Satisfied?’) by Afrikaans band Fokofpolisiekar, ‘Hierdie gaan nog lank vat, hierdie gaan nog seermaak’. (‘This is going to take long, this is going to hurt’). At the time of writing, the economic cost of the riots, looting and vandalism that took place during July was not yet confirmed, but estimates varied from R10 billion to R30 billion. The violence that first erupted in KwaZulu-Natal and then spread to other parts of the country, reportedly following the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma after he was found in contempt of court by the Constitutional Court, was expected to cost South Africa in the region of 130 000 jobs. Investigations will still show to…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly. This article is an edited excerpt from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ Agricultural Outlook 2021-2030. To read the full report, visit bit.ly/3i8cgfY. “Future demand for food is directly influenced by population and demographic changes, by income growth and income distribution, and by food prices. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ Agricultural Outlook 2021-2030 assumes that food demand will be additionally shaped by sociocultural- and lifestyle-driven changes in consumption patterns, including continuing urbanisation and rising participation of women in the workforce, as well as increasing consumer awareness of health and sustainability issues. AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES Agricultural commodity…

5 August (webinar) The Accessible AgTech for South African Fruit Growers webinar is a free event open to anyone. Some topics to be covered include how weather information can help fruit farmers make critical decisions, and the digitisation of fruit growing. Visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/ accessible-agtech-for-south-african-fruit-growers-tickets-162858950505. Entries should be submitted at least one month in advance. Email Janine Ryan at janiner@caxton.co.za to place an entry. Please note that, due to limited space, publication of an event cannot be guaranteed. All entries are published at the editor’s discretion. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 28 TO 29 JULY Aquaponics and Smart Greenhouse Technology Conference, Radisson Blu Hotel, Sandton. (Delegates may also attend online.) Email Connie Mamabolo at connie@mathematraining.co.za. 11 TO 12 AUGUST Bushveld Dorper Club Warmbad Livestock Show, Bela-Bela. Phone Annetjie van Wyk on 063 546 2005. COURSES AND TRAINING 25 JULY TO 7 AUGUST Pasture,…

In a first for South Africa, the development of marketable hybrid tomatoes promised fruit that was hardy, robust, grew vigorously, and had uniform fruit set and size, as revealed in this article from the early eighties. Commercially viable hybrid tomatoes, bred in South Africa for the first time, promise greater resistance to disease, will yield more prolifically, will produce fruit of a uniform size, and will have a longer shelf life. The successful development of hybrids is seen as a significant step forward in the breeding of tomatoes in South Africa. Limited amounts of experimental seed are available at the moment; however, seed in quantity for commercial growers may not be ready for a little while. Rodney Zingel, the plant breeder at a leading seed company, Mayford, says the hybrids are resistant to most…

The agriculture industry employs 5% of South Africa’s population and contributes more than R81 billion to the annual economy. Within the sector are vastly diverse skill sets, which are brought to the table by farm labourers, factory workers, and members of commercial and operational management. “This has led to a growing imperative for the human resources [HR] function to transcend the standard administrative expectations of process and payroll management, to a role that builds a cohesive organisational culture in which everyone feels they are valued and belong,” says Cindy Nkgoeng, HR manager at Beefmaster Group, one of the largest private employers in the Northern Cape, with a workforce of more than 1 000 people. “In our business, we regard people as some of our most valuable assets, as family members,” she says,…

Follow us at @FarmersWeeklySA FROM FACEBOOK @FarmersWeeklySA A Facebook post titled ‘KZN farmers dump milk as violence disrupts supply chains’ left some of our followers devastated. Here’s what they had to say: Posted: 13 July 2021 READERS’ COMMENTS Wendy Robertson: “This makes me cry!” Denzil Govender: “How can we help? Good citizens [en masse] can help fix this damage if we stick together.” Matema jakes: “Looting is just foolishness and criminality/barbarism.” Pierre Mbida: “Tears.” MOST POPULAR ON FARMERSWEEKLY.CO.ZA For full coverage by Farmer’s Weekly of the impact of the July riots, looting and vandalism on farming, food security and the agricultural input supply chain, visit farmersweekly.co.za. The violence erupted in KwaZulu-Natal and then spread to other parts of the country, reportedly following the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma after he was found in contempt of court by the Constitutional Court. AGRI SECTOR…