Reporting from this source, summarised, rewritten or translated and published under its name · 59 stories
AgribusinessAt Agda's conference, Mathews Phosa said many emerging farmers have not yet had the chance to be banked, and Wandile Sihlobo forecast 8% to 9% farm growth in 2026 amid 20-30% higher fuel and fertiliser costs.
AgrotechAgritistics' Stefan Corbett says farmers already hold more data than they think, and that notebooks, WhatsApp or a spreadsheet are enough if every reading is taken the same way.
FruitsMore than 700 people helped Livestock Wealth buy a run-down citrus farm in Musina; it now employs 34 people full time, targets 140,000 cartons next season and is planting 15 more hectares.
VegetablesThe Cassper Agri-Life packhouse, with production tunnels, a borehole, a generator and mobile cold rooms, is the department's third packhouse aimed at cutting post-harvest losses for small farmers.
AgrotechDr Michael Southwood of the Agri Vision Foundation says over-irrigation starves roots of oxygen and excess nitrogen causes most crop quality problems, and recommends probes, NDVI imagery and twice-weekly sap tests.
OpinionProvincial legislator Nobulumko Nkondlo argues that fines, impoundments and culls are pushing informal livestock farmers out, and that municipalities should offer land and a path to compliance instead.
Market ManagementTomatoes fell 40% to R8.97 a kilo and potatoes 23% to R63.46 a 10kg bag on heavy arrivals and weak demand, while avocados rose to R20.07 a kilo, the weekly GroundRules market update shows.
LivestockAfter foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in Namibia's Karas Region on 23 September, red meat bodies from both countries agreed that sheep and cattle carry different risks and need species-specific import protocols.
VegetablesSibahle Sifo, who once avoided farm chores, now grows 5,000 cabbage seedlings at a time and sells to street vendors and Spar, after a June 2025 flood wiped out her first crop.
LivestockA study of 73 postgraduate interns in Mpumalanga found more negative than positive views, and students and hosts describe a hard step from lecture hall to poultry house and dairy.
CropsResearchers in South Africa, Nigeria and the US found losses of about 43% for roots and tubers and 35% for vegetables in the Global South, falling to 7-12% with hermetic storage, cold chains, better packaging and handling.
FruitsGood reserves, mostly sufficient water and favourable bud initiation give South Africa's vineyards strong early potential for 2027, though industry body South Africa Wine warns that high stocks call for value over volume.
VegetablesReneilwe and Lerato Selialia started Kopana Holdings with potatoes in Randfontein, South Africa, in 2025. After a first harvest sold at a loss, they added spinach, onions and sweet potatoes, more markets and a proper grip on costs.
