AGRI NEWS NET- WEEKEND NEWS RUSH Summary of the Week News 14 Desember 2025

-Welcome to our world- the real world of Farming and Agriculture in South Africa- Local and International news-  

This AGRI NEWS RUSH -Some of the news stories of this week-, SUNDAY EDITION - ALWAYS ON TIME  - AGRI NEWS RUSH is now one of the most read Articles on a Sunday 

As 2025 draws to a close, South African agriculture continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and global competitiveness amid a complex landscape of challenges and opportunities. While the sector grapples with persistent issues like livestock theft, animal diseases, infrastructure decay, and stalled land reform—as well as regional trade hurdles such as Botswana's prolonged Infant Industry Protection measures that restrict dairy exports despite strong SACU demand—Wandile Sihlobo rightly counters doomsaying narratives by highlighting the sector's post-1994 achievements: production has doubled, driven by technology, skills, and progressive trade policies, positioning South Africa as the world's 32nd-largest agricultural exporter (the only African nation in the top 40) with record $13.7 billion exports in 2024, led by fruits, wine, wool, and grains. This export strength aligns with broader commodity trends, such as the stable global cotton outlook for 2025/26 showing balanced supply slightly exceeding demand and rising trade volumes, underscoring South Africa's integration into resilient international markets. Domestically, national food security remains robust—the highest in sub-Saharan Africa—though household insecurity persists due to poverty. In key producing regions like the Western Cape, however, extreme weather has intensified pressures: seven weeks of hotter, drier, and windier conditions have pushed irrigation demand to 12-year highs, requiring careful deep watering during critical fruit-growth phases to sustain horticultural yields. Overall, these dynamics reflect a sector that is far from collapse—innovative, export-oriented, and vital to the economy—but one that demands collaborative solutions for inclusivity, infrastructure, and climate adaptation to fully realise its potential. A

Interested Articles posted on Farmingportal/Agricultureportal 

A stark new national survey has exposed a severe and growing food insecurity crisis in South Africa, with more than 16 million people—over a quarter of the population—struggling to access sufficient and nutritious food. The crisis is hitting female-headed households the hardest. READ MORE

According to the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development’s 2024/25 Annual Report, South Africa has 1 743 registered CPAs. Of these, only 207 are fully compliant with the governance standards required by law. The majority are either partially compliant or entirely non-compliant. This is a systemic constraint on the success of land reform. READ MORE

NEWS  COMMENTARY- Summary-

Wandile Sihlobo delivers a powerful and balanced rebuttal to the overly pessimistic portrayals of South African agriculture, arguing that while real challenges like theft, disease, poor infrastructure, and land reform failures persist, they do not define the sector's collapse—as some domestic critics and foreign figures like Donald Trump suggest.Since 1994, production has doubled, driven by technology, skills, demand, and open trade policies, making South Africa the only African country in the global top 40 exporters with record $13.7 billion in 2024 exports (half of production by value), led by fruits, wine, wool, and grains, and ensuring the highest food security in sub-Saharan Africa.Sihlobo candidly addresses the sector's core weakness: the ongoing divide between efficient commercial (mostly white) farming and under-supported subsistence (mostly black) farming, where black producers contribute under 10% commercially due to failed government programmes and limited private partnerships—though emerging black farmers offer hope.The Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan provides a path to inclusive growth without displacing existing farmers, building on 2.5 million hectares already allocated, but success hinges on faster execution, better support, and market-driven financing rather than slow bureaucracy.Crucially, Sihlobo warns that exaggerated doom narratives mislead audiences, damage global perceptions, and invite external interference, while the sector's resilience, competitiveness, and economic contribution deserve bold celebration.The way ahead requires collaborative effort—government on infrastructure and policy, organised agriculture on inclusivity, private sector on investment—to sustain this vital bright spot in South Africa's economy. Sihlobo's evidence-based, patriotic analysis is precisely the nuanced voice the country needs. READ THE FULL ARTICLE NETWERK 24

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Theo de Jager's sharp opinion piece launches a forceful attack on Wandile Sihlobo's optimistic view of South African agriculture, accusing him of presenting only a partial, distorted picture. Drawing on his experience as former TLU-SA and Pan-African leader, De Jager argues that post-1994 production growth—driven largely by big agribusiness—masks the halving of commercial farmers and the severe financial pressure on family farms from low prices, high costs, and aggressive liquidations.He highlights the conflict of interests: sectoral success often comes at the expense of individual farmers, a tension he says bodies like Agbiz downplay. De Jager sharply criticises Sihlobo for trivialising US trade concerns under Trump—condemnation of “Kill the boer” rhetoric, prioritising farm murders, reforming expropriation without compensation, and easing B-BBEE burdens on US firms—issues central to bilateral tensions.The Agriculture Master Plan draws heavy fire for being exclusionary and ideologically skewed, prioritising “transformation” (mentioned over 90 times) over profitability and sustainability, sidelining family-farmer organisations while favouring unions and large corporates. De Jager warns this fosters corporatisation at the expense of independent producers, though his suggestion of a deliberate 2019 “sacrifice” of smaller farmers risks veering into conspiracy.Ultimately, the piece is a passionate defence of family farming's role in rural vitality and food security, voicing widespread frustration that representative bodies align too closely with government and corporate agendas. It compels confrontation with harsh realities behind upbeat statistics, ensuring grassroots producers' struggles remain heard in a polarised debate.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE NETWERK 24 

South Africa -Weeklikse Landbou Nuusoorsig - Weekly Agriculture News Summary 10th December 2025

INTERNASIONALE NUUS- INTERNATIONAL NEWS

READ MORE  ( Stats)    Listen to all our Daily Audiocast - It is doing very good. But also see that some news mediums like to follow us.

MORE GOOD NEWS -  AUDIO AGRI NEWS NET which was selected by Million Podcasts as one of the Top 100 Agriculture Podcasts, Top 100 Farming Podcasts and Top 100 Sustainable Agriculture Podcasts on the web. READ MORE 

JUNIOR AGRIWRITERS AWARDS - Proudly in our 5th year  READ MORE - VIEW OUR WINNERS 

South African agriculture is fundamentally built on the backs of real people—family farmers, smallholder producers, farm workers, and rural communities—who work the land every day to put food on our tables. These are not abstract entities; they are families with deep roots in the soil, passing knowledge from generation to generation..Food security for our nation depends on a strong, diverse farming sector where these family farmers remain central. When family farms thrive, rural economies stay alive, jobs are sustained, and South Africa produces enough affordable, nutritious food for its people while still exporting proudly to the world.At the same time, independence is crucial. Family farmers must retain control over their land, their production decisions, and their futures. Too much concentration of power—whether in government programmes that favour large-scale operations or in agricultural companies that dominate input supply chains, processing, and retail—can squeeze out the independent family farmer. Seed choices, fertiliser prices, market access, and credit terms should not be dictated in ways that make it impossible for smaller, independent operations to compete fairly.The challenge is to work together: farmers organising into cooperatives or associations to gain bargaining power, sharing knowledge and resources, supporting one another during tough seasons like droughts or market slumps, and speaking with a united voice on policy issues. Collaboration strengthens everyone without sacrificing independence.Government and big agribusiness have roles to play—providing infrastructure, research, fair regulation, and market facilitation—but those roles must serve the broader farming community, not undermine it. Policies that genuinely support family farmers (affordable inputs, secure land rights, access to markets, and risk management tools) will deliver both food security and sustained independence.In short, South Africa’s food future is safest when family farmers remain numerous, resilient, and in control of their own destinies—working together where it makes sense, but never allowing themselves to be divided or displaced by excessive centralised control. Unity among farmers themselves is the best protection against that.

Summary of the Weeks Headline news- ( Our mediums is overloaded with Farming and Agriculture news and we have great interest from International medium.)

   WATCH OUT- NEW program on the way - exclusive to CRA MEDIA and the FARMERS of South Africa - 2026  

DISCLAIMER

The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by CRA and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.Just for your information. - We need to share this as this is part of Farming and Agriculture.

AGRI NEWS NET stands as South Africa’s leading source for farming and agriculture news, delivering trusted, up-to-date content 7 days a week, 365 days a year. With over 50 “good news stories you can trust,” the platform is driven by 30 years of practical farming and media experience, ensuring a deep understanding of the needs and realities of farmers and the agricultural sector. AGRI NEWS NET prides itself on being committed, independent, focused, and always on time. As part of the CRA Group, the platform leverages its extensive expertise to provide reliable, farmer-centric news. Its content is compiled using advanced AI technology, ensuring accuracy and relevance while staying connected to the broader global farming and agriculture community. For the third consecutive year, AGRI NEWS NET’s Daily Audiocast has been ranked among the top 15 agricultural podcasts on Feedspot, a testament to its quality and impact. The audiocast delivers concise, engaging updates, making it a go-to resource for farmers, industry professionals, and agriculture enthusiasts seeking timely insights. With a focus on “good news stories,” AGRI NEWS NET highlights positive developments, innovations, and successes in South African agriculture. Rooted in real-world farming knowledge and media expertise, AGRI NEWS NET bridges the gap between farmers, policymakers, and the public. Its AI-driven platform ensures comprehensive coverage, from local issues . By focusing on practical, trustworthy content, AGRI NEWS NET empowers the agricultural community to stay informed and inspired. 

Twitter