Agri SA media
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Climate Smart Agriculture Makes Sense
by Nel Coetzee on April 23, 2024 at 7:02 am
Climate change refers to gradual shifts in temperatures and weather patterns over a long period of time. Climate shifts can be natural, for example due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. However, since the industrial revolution in the late 1700’s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels in the form of coal, oil and gas […]
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Enhancing Security and Equity: The Impact of ESTAA on Property Rights
by Nel Coetzee on April 16, 2024 at 1:43 pm
The Extension of Security of Tenure Amendment Act ('ESTAA') marks a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of property rights in South Africa. Enacted on 1 April 2024, this legislation represents a concerted effort to address longstanding issues within the Extensions of Security of Tenure Act of 1997 (“the principal Act”). Through the introduction of key amendments and regulations, ESTAA aims to enhance […]
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Unlocking the Potential of Water: The Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme
by Nel Coetzee on April 11, 2024 at 5:56 am
On April 9, 2024, a gathering convened by the Vaalharts District Agricultural Union (VDAU) in Hartswater illuminated key facets shaping South Africa's agricultural sector. Discussions revolved around economic dynamics influencing agricultural financing, political landscapes leading up to national elections, and legal frameworks governing water resource management. These themes underscored the complex interplay […]
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South Africa's Food Waste Crisis: Inspiring Collective Action for a Sustainable Tomorrow
by Nel Coetzee on April 9, 2024 at 6:30 am
South Africa's rich culinary heritage is marred by a pressing challenge: food waste. Annually, we discard a staggering 10 million tonnes of food, equivalent to filling six sports stadiums. This waste comes at a significant cost, amounting to R61.5 billion annually, or 2.1% of GDP, exacerbating food insecurity in our society.
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South Africa’s Agricultural Sector Equipped to Navigate the Drought
by Nel Coetzee on April 5, 2024 at 7:33 am
In recent months, South Africa has experienced extreme drought conditions significantly impacting the agricultural sector and raising concerns about food prices and availability. With these challenges, there are notable strengths and strategies within the agricultural sector that help maintain stability and resilience during difficult times. Despite being a water-scarce country, South Africa has developed strong […]
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Towards Sustainable Human Settlements
by Nel Coetzee on March 19, 2024 at 11:56 am
‘A sustainable human settlement is a community of people in which economic growth and social development are in balance with each another; resources are used responsibly so that they will continue to deliver value to future generations; and everyone has an opportunity to participate in the economy, to be treated fairly and to prosper’. Housing has been a contentious subject in South Africa for a long time. […]
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AgriSA comments on the National Water Amendment Bill and Water Services Amendment Bill
by Thea Liebenberg on March 12, 2024 at 6:03 am
On 17 November 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation published the proposed National Water Amendment Bill and Water Services Amendment Bill for public comment. While the initial deadline for comments expired on 16 January 2024, the period was extended until 1 March 2024.
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Steep decline in agricultural gross value added attributed to biosecurity issues
by Thea Liebenberg on March 7, 2024 at 9:51 am
The recent release of GDP figures revealing a 12.2% decline in the agricultural sector has sent shockwaves through the industry.
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SONA 2024: AgriSA echoes sentiments shared on public-private partnerships
by Thea Liebenberg on February 9, 2024 at 10:16 am
AgriSA, representing South Africa's agricultural sector, acknowledges President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, which underscored the pivotal role agriculture plays in the nation's economy. As the backbone of South Africa's economic landscape, agriculture serves as a catalyst for growth, job creation, and food security.
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Minimum wage increase: blessing or burden?
by Thea Liebenberg on February 3, 2024 at 10:16 am
Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi announced the new minimum wage in the Government Gazette on Friday. The national minimum wage, including for farmworkers, has been hiked to R27,58 per hour from 1 March 2024. That is an increase of 8,5% compared to the minimum wage of R25,42 per hour until the end of February. The increase is 2,5 percentage points higher than the average inflation rate for 2023, which […]
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National Agro-meteorological Committee (NAC) Advisory on the2023/24 summer season
by Nel Coetzee on October 6, 2023 at 11:20 am
The veld and livestock are in reasonable to poor condition in most areas. Land preparations are underway for summer crops. Above normal rainfall is anticipated during early summer in most summer rainfall areas. However, towards mid-summer rainfall is expected to be below normal in the central and western parts of the country. Above normal rainfall is anticipated for the north eastern parts of the country during […]
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Christo van der Rheede retires after eight years at Agri SA
by Nel Coetzee on September 29, 2023 at 11:46 am
As Agri SA prepares for the retirement of chief executive officer, Christo van der Rheede, incoming chief executive officer Johann Kotze has come on board full-time to continue to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Christo will remain at the helm of affairs until Agri SA’s upcoming congress on 12 and 13 October 2023, whereafter he will officially hand over to the new chief executive officer.
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SENWES DONATES TO AGRI SA'S DISASTER RELIEF FUND FOR FIRES
by Thea Liebenberg on September 7, 2023 at 1:13 pm
Senwes announced today, in the wake of the recent devastating fires in the North West, Free State, and Northern Cape, that it is donating half a million rand to Agri SA's Disaster Relief Fund to provide relief to those in need.
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Agri SA Disaster Relief foundation calls for assistance in the wake of devastating fires
by Thea Liebenberg on September 6, 2023 at 7:11 am
Agri SA is deeply concerned about the devastating impact of ongoing fire outbreaks in the Free State, North West and Northern Cape provinces. The fires have affected an area of over 400 000 hectares, resulting in the loss of grazing and various livestock, such as sheep, cattle and wildlife that either burnt to death or had to be euthanised.
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2023 winter and spring seasons Statemens
by Nel Coetzee on August 30, 2023 at 9:34 am
In June, the south and south-western areas of the country received above-normal rainfall while most of the central and northern regions received below-normal rainfall (Figure 1). July received a mixture of normal to below-normal rainfall in most parts of the country (Figure 2). However, some eastern parts of the country as well as southern Free State and parts of the Eastern Cape received above normal rainfall. […]
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Agri SA welcomes the launch of the vital Agro Energy Fund
by Thea Liebenberg on August 29, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Agri SA welcomes today’s launch of the Agro Energy Fund by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza. The fund was first announced by Minister Didiza in the budget vote delivered in May 2023.
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Seasonal Climate Watch - September 2023 to January 2024
by Nel Coetzee on August 28, 2023 at 9:21 am
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in an El Niño state and according to the latest predictions is expected to persist through most of the summer months. ENSO’s typical impact on Southern Africa is in favour for generally drier and warmer conditions during the summer seasons from October to March. Current global forecasts indicate a great deal of uncertainty for the typical drier conditions that […]
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Rapid increase of the national minimum wage is throttling agricultural sector growth
by Thea Liebenberg on August 16, 2023 at 2:40 pm
Agri SA will be making a submission to Parliament which demonstrates the negative impact of the national minimum wage on the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector. Unless the increases of the minimum wage in the agricultural sector are aligned with inflation, there is a real risk of the agricultural sector contracting with devastating effects for employment in the sector.
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Rural safety benefits from Agri Securitas Trust Fund
by Thea Liebenberg on August 14, 2023 at 11:00 am
The board of the Agri Securitas trust fund is pleased to announce the disbursement of R1,9 million to 29 farmer associations and provincial affiliations to help fund rural safety projects around the country. “The Trust Fund joins forces with farming communities through local farmer associations to make them safer. The safety of rural communities is one of the central pillars in creating prosperous rural […]
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Seasonal Climate Watch -August to December 2023
by Nel Coetzee on August 2, 2023 at 9:20 am
The multi-model rainfall forecast indicates above-normal rainfall for most of the country during early spring (Aug-Sep-Oct) with below-normal rainfall predicted over the western parts during mid-spring (Sep-Oct-Nov) and late-spring (Oct-Nov-Dec). Minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be mostly above-normal countrywide for the forecast period.
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Mandela Day: Agri SA and OneFarm Share partner to support the 2022 platform target of distributing 40 million meals
July 15, 2022
As South Africans celebrate Mandela Day on Monday, 18 July 2022, Agri SA and OneFarm Share are pleased to announce a partnership to help assist South Africans vulnerable to food insecurity. Through this partnership, Agri SA will help OneFarm Share to reach their target of distributing more than 40 million meals to 1.2 million South […] -
Extension of operations at Tiger Brands’ Langeberg & Ashton canning fruit factory a welcome reprieve
July 12, 2022
Agri SA welcomes the announcement that Tiger Brands will extend operations at its canning factory in Ashton, Western Cape. The decision is a vital reprieve for the sector and for the communities that rely on the facility for their livelihoods. It will also provide time for potential buyers to secure the necessary funding to save […] -
Disruptive load shedding poses long-term risks to the agricultural sector and economy
July 6, 2022
The impact of the ongoing power outages on the agricultural sector and the wider economy holds serious implications for food security and social stability. The extended period of Level 6 load shedding threatens the viability of the sector. An escalation to Level 7 and higher will be catastrophic and pose a risk to the country's […] -
Summit needs concrete action plan to ensure safety of the rural farming community
June 27, 2022
The Rural Safety Summit began today, 27 June 2022 at Woodlands Country Lodge, Parys in the Free State. As the country continues to face violent attacks in farming communities, Minister Bheki Cele acknowledged the problem of poor response times by the police and the corrosive effect of corruption within the police service. While Agri SA […] -
Closure of Tiger Brands’ Langeberg and Ashton canning fruit factory spells disaster
June 22, 2022
On the 9th of June Tiger Brands shocked personnel producers and clients by giving notice of a 60-day consultation period with the intention of closing down their canning factory in Ashton in the Western Cape. Few people realise the real impact that this decision would have on the community, producers, the industry and agro-processing in […] -
Agri SA & Agri Enterprises partners with Motsepe Foundation to drive commercial partnerships in agricultural sector
June 15, 2022
Agri SA is proud to announce the launch of two pioneering projects in Limpopo and Mpumalanga to boost the sector’s transformation efforts. The projects are the culmination of a joint initiative with the Motsepe Foundation to reimagine development funding and foster greater collaboration to accelerate the inclusivity of the agricultural sector. -
Wear your #BakkieArm and support Agri Securitas
June 10, 2022
What started with 'Word of the Week' is now Central South Africa's latest fashion trend, all for a good cause. The OFM Good Morning Breakfast, weekdays 06:00 - 09:00, recently entertained listeners with their weekly riddle - 'Word of the Week' - during which a novelty word is revealed to the audience, and they then […] -
Agri SA calls for investigation as non-payment of locust officers undermines food security
June 9, 2022
Agri SA has written to Minister Thoko Didiza requesting an investigation into the non-payment of critical service providers in midst of the worst locust outbreak of the past 25 years. If no action is taken, government could lose the services of vital locust officers even as millions of hectares of crops remain in danger of […] -
Seasonal Climate Watch | Jun to Oct 2022
June 2, 2022
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in a La Niña state, and forecasts indicate that it will likely remain in this state during the coming seasons. During winter, the presence of ENSO has less of an impact. Thus, the presence of the current La Niña event is not expected to have any significant impact […] -
Seasonal Climate Watch | Jun to Oct 2022
June 2, 2022
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in a La Niña state, and forecasts indicate that it will likely remain in this state during the coming seasons. During winter, the presence of ENSO has less of an impact. Thus, the presence of the current La Niña event is not expected to have any significant impact […] -
QLFS shows the continued importance of agriculture in creating jobs
May 31, 2022
The employment result for the first quarter of 2022, which were announced by Stats SA in its Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) today, showcase the continued importance of the agricultural sector as an employer – especially in a country characterised by endemic unemployment.
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