Farming for Tomorrow | Farmer's Weekly

Slugs and snails: why numbers are soaring, and how to fight the scourge

Glenneis Kriel — Tue, 16 May 2023 07:30:10 +0000

Arnold du Preez, owner of Snail and Slug Solutions, warns that the surge in slug and snail populations will prove a major threat to agriculture unless farmers tackle the problem proactively.

Living off the land, thanks to diversification

Glenneis Kriel — Mon, 15 May 2023 08:00:03 +0000

Producing a variety of crops and livestock has enabled Tabby Robertshaw and her partner to realise their dream of homesteading. She spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the hard work they have put into the venture.

Edible termites: a weapon in the fight against food insecurity?

Staff Reporter — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 08:11:40 +0000

Edible insects can help feed the populations of developing countries, says Ntokozo Blessing Zitha, an agricultural economist involved with the Agricultural Research’s Council Professional Development Programme.

Finding cherry leaf spot-resistant varieties

Staff Reporter — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 08:00:14 +0000

A study was recently conducted in China to identify the resistance levels of cherry cultivars in that country, and offers useful information for farmers in all cherry-growing regions.

Unlocking opportunities for women in SA’s livestock value chains

Staff Reporter — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 11:28:57 +0000

Noluthando Ngcobo and Mamakie Lungwana, intern agricultural economists at the Agricultural Research Council, explore the challenges that women face in the South African livestock value chain.

Lessons in regenerative farming from a visiting US expert

Susan Marais — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 08:00:26 +0000

US farmer and author Joel Salatin was invited by the Permaculture Institute for Southern Africa to visit South Africa and share some of his conservation farming knowledge with local farmers.

Protecting the jewel in SA’s biodiversity crown

Staff Reporter — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 08:00:22 +0000

Jan Coetzee, land programme manager at the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa, explains how one man’s vision changed the trajectory of conservation in the Succulent Karoo.

Boosting agricultural productivity via small-scale vertical farming

Staff Reporter — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 08:00:15 +0000

Zikhona Buyeye, a junior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council’s Natural Resources and Engineering Division, explores the importance of vertical farming structures for small-scale vegetable production.

Farming in Africa: producing coffee and cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire

Janine Ryan — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 07:00:48 +0000

Despite being a major producer of coffee in the early 2000s, Côte d’Ivoire’s coffee production has declined significantly. However, cocoa production is still massively on the rise, cementing the country’s place as the world’s top producer.

Soil health: crucial for future food production

Magda du Toit — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 07:00:39 +0000

Healthy soil is a key driver of farm productivity, profits, and sustainable food production. Dr Hendrik Smith explained to Magda du Toit how farmers can improve the health and fertility of their soils.