Farmer's Weekly 9 September 2022

Agriculture has an age problem. In 2014, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations released a report, which claimed that the average age of farmers across the world was 60. The report took into account farmers in developed and developing countries. It was also reported by the BBC in 2019 that in the UK, for example, the average age of farmers was 59 years, while in Kenya, the average age of farmers was reported as 60. In Japan, which has one of the oldest populations in the world, the average age of farmers was 67. According to Agri SA, the average age of South African farmers is 62. While farmers’ ages may differ substantially from country to country, the fact is that the world’s farmers are getting older. In…

“Integrated soil fertility management seeks to improve crop yields, while preserving sustainable, long-term soil fertility through the judicious use of fertilisers, recycled organic resources, responsive crop varieties, and improved agronomic practices. Together, these measures minimise nutrient losses and improve the nutrient-use efficiency of crops. Integrated soil fertility management includes knowing how to adapt these practices to local conditions to maximise efficiency of the applied nutrients and improve crop productivity. NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS All inputs need to be managed following sound agronomic principles. Nature-based solutions are defined as actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, and address societal challenges, simultaneously providing benefits for human well-being and biodiversity. Nature-based solutions mimic natural processes that rely on ecosystems functioning to ensure food and livelihood security, healthier diets and more inclusive rural economies. They can improve…

This workshop on Holistic Predation Management is presented by the Cape Leopard Trust, in partnership with CapeNature. Topics will include predator behavioural ecology, conflict mitigation methods and carcass identification. Email Jeannie Hayward at communications@capeleopard.org.za. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 17 TO 18 NOVEMBER Agribusiness Conference 2022, Protea Hotel, Sandton. Email Buhle Ndokweni at buhle@mathema.co.za, or phone 011 862 4001. 24 TO 25 NOVEMBER Drones and Unmanned Aviation Conference 2022, Emperors Palace. Email info@bussynet.co.za. COURSES AND TRAINING 6 SEPTEMBER TO 11 OCTOBER Citrus Planting Management (online). Email Agricolleges International at admissions@agricolleges.com. 7 TO 9 SEPTEMBER Basic Sheep Production Course, Groenkloof, Pretoria. Phone AgriSkills Transfer on 012 460 9585, or email admin@agriskills.net. 8 TO 13 SEPTEMBER Commercial: Mushroom Substrate Design, Cultivation, Marketing and Business Planning (virtual or via e-learning). Email registration@mushroomacademy.com. 16 TO 21 OCTOBER Wilderness Trails Skills, Makuleke Concession. Email Roxanne Cragg at enquiries@ecotraining.co.za, or phone 013 752…

Earlier this year, Country Bird Holdings’ (CBH) Supreme Poultry plant in Tigane, North West, launched its newly expanded production facility. North West Premier Kaobitsa Maape and other guests were taken on a tour of the new abattoir, which has increased productivity by 35% and created about 100 new jobs as part of its contribution to the South African Poultry Sector Master Plan. A R180 million investment in the facility has further entrenched CBH as the majority employer in the area, ramping up economic activity that now involves more than 2 000 local residents. In his address at the opening of the plant, Maape praised CBH for looking towards the future and executing such an expansion project at a time when the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still being felt. According to…

Good day Mbali, I hope you are doing well both personally and professionally. Thank you for your recent article titled, ‘How to drive rural farming development’ (see FW, 12 August 2022). It resonated with me, as I am a young farmer based in rural KwaZulu-Natal. This is a tough job, as I’m sure you already know, and I won’t even get started on the challenges I face, as that would require a lengthy letter. Thank you for shedding some light on the rural farming sector in South Africa. I am grateful to you for making me, and hopefully many others, realise that we’re not alone and that someday, somehow [sizophumelela] kulomsebenzi onzima futhi obaluleke kangaka [we will succeed in this difficult and important task] not only for us, but also South Africa and the…

MOST POPULAR ON FARMERSWEEKLY.CO.ZA CONCERN ABOUT FMD-VACCINATED CATTLE NOT BEING BRANDED Agri North West has expressed concern about the fact that cattle that had been vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease in that province were not being branded by government officials, as was legally required. Read the full article at bit.ly/3R77BKZ, or scan here: Posted: 22 August 2022. Follow us at @FarmersWeeklySA PHOTO OF THE WEEK (RIGHT) Chartered Farmer CF (SA) @as_ngcobo “Mountains silhouetted against the sky.” Via Twitter. Posted: 8 August 2022. FROM FACEBOOK @FarmersWeeklySA We posted a link to an article titled ‘Rural schools closure threatens the future of farming, and some of our followers shared their views on the situation. Posted: 24 August 2022. READERS’ COMMENTS Antoinette Toni Heynes: “Build hostels or use empty classrooms as dormitories.” Gabi Mlotshwa: “Closing those schools means those children will migrate to [other] provinces like Gauteng…