WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- Financial assistance to Farmers- FMD      AGRI NEWS NET- WEEKEND NEWS RUSH Summary of the Week News 22nd February 2026       Net Zero and the hidden cost to food security      Scientists turn plastic waste and CO2 into sustainable fuel      Wildlife decline is draining Africa’s ecosystems of functional energy      The Thermodynamics of Soil, Turning Fossil Fuels into Food vs. Turning Sunlight into Life.      Vertical farming: a local solution for greens, but not feeding the world any time soon      Chinese Wine Is No Longer Imitating Europe — It’s Defining Itself      Coffee crops are dying from a fungus with species-jumping genes – researchers are ‘resurrecting’ their genomes to understand how and why      More than 20% of Earth’s plant species are found only on islands – and time is running out to save them     
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AGRI NEWS NET- WEEKEND NEWS RUSH Summary of the Week News 15th February 2026

AGRI NEWS NET- WEEKEND NEWS RUSH Summary of the Week News 15th February 2026

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The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has granted conditional Article 21 authorisation for the import of the Turkish Dollvet vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). In a statement issued on Friday, 13 February 2026, Sahpra also confirmed that it is considering an additional application for the same vaccine.Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, CEO of Sahpra, stated that Article 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act 101 of 1965) provides a controlled mechanism for the import of unregistered vaccines or medicines under strict regulatory standards. This allows Sahpra to respond quickly to urgent animal health issues while ensuring quality, safety, and efficacy are maintained. All authorisations granted under this provision are temporary and subject to ongoing review.

South Africa's Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) faces intense scrutiny over the devastating Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak that has ravaged the livestock sector since 2025, spreading to eight of nine provinces (only Northern Cape remains largely unaffected) and threatening the R80 billion industry through export bans, quarantines, animal losses, milk dumping, and severe financial strain on farmers. Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), the state-owned vaccine producer, collapsed despite significant funding due to outdated facilities, mismanagement, and biosafety failures, halting local FMD vaccine production for over 20 years and forcing expensive imports from countries like Argentina, Turkey, and Botswana.

South Africa’s family farmers are fighting for survival in the midst of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, but this is not a local problem alone — the same battle is raging globally in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, India, Australia, the USA and Brazil, where powerful mega-agribusinesses and large-scale corporate farming are systematically pushing smaller family farms out of existence. In South Africa, the divide is stark: while the livestock sector collapses under FMD, a well-organised “agricultural deep state” of mega-farmers, big agribusiness companies, politicians and certain media commentators promotes narratives that everything is fine, dismisses legitimate farmer complaints, and backs policies that favour consolidation over family farming.

Vanaf 1 April 2026 sal Suid-Afrikaanse boere sowat 25% meer uit die dieselrabatstelsel kan kry, aangesien die regering die kwalifiserende dieselverbruik nou 100% (voorheen 80%) as deel van die brandstofbelasting op diesel laat terugvorder. Dit beteken dat op 1 000 liter kwalifiserende dieselverbruik ’n boer R3 720 (teen huidige heffings) sal kan terugkry in plaas van R2 976. Die verandering is reeds in verlede jaar se begroting aangekondig en nou deur ’n SAID-brief bevestig. Die syfers kan nog verander met die nasionale begroting op 25 Februarie 2026, aangesien brandstofbelasting jaarliks op die eerste Woensdag van April aangepas word.

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South Africa’s farming sector is in deep crisis. The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak has exploded across all nine provinces, forcing thousands of quarantines, destroying herds, shutting down dairies (2–3 closing per week), blocking exports, and projecting losses of R25 billion over the next decade. This is not just a veterinary problem — it is destroying family farms, rural communities, jobs, food security, and livelihoods. 
Despite repeated SONA promises and minister statements, the reality on the ground shows the government is not truly supporting farmers — especially not the commercial and family farmers who produce most of the food and exports.The corporate agricultural world (big agribusiness, banks, feed companies, processors) talks loudly about exports, BRICS, AGOA, biosecurity, and weather — but stays almost completely silent on farm murders, rural killings, and the government’s FMD failures. They profit billions every year from farmers’ hard work, yet rarely stand publicly with farmers when lives, farms, and businesses are under direct threat.Farmers cannot wait for more empty promises or silent partners. This is your business, your farm, your future. It is time to stand together — real farmers, real producers, people who think the same way.Partner only with those who actually show up for you in a crisis, who speak out when it matters, and who put farmers first — not profits, politics, or government access. The divide between corporate boardrooms and grassroots farmers is widening fast. If farmers don’t unite and protect themselves now, many will not survive. This is no longer just about one disease — it’s about the future of South African agriculture. Stand together, or fall apart.

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Here is a curated selection of 50 major international agriculture headlines and trends dominating global discussions as of February 13, 2026 (drawn from recent USDA, FAO, industry reports, market updates, regional developments, and fast-moving events):

  1. South Africa’s FMD crisis escalates with 17,833 confirmed positive farms in KwaZulu-Natal alone; hardest-hit districts are Amajuba, uThukela, and uMgungundlovu.
  2. Farmers in KZN report generational herds dying, income vanishing, families unable to pay for food or school fees; auction houses disrupted, beef and milk prices rising sharply.
  3. Provincial veterinary surveillance confirms FMD in all nine provinces; communal and small-scale farmers hardest hit by movement bans, lack of clear vaccine info, and illegal stock movements.
  4. Chief state vet Dr Temba Sikhakhane insists three candidate vaccines effective against circulating strains; vaccination within 10 km radius of outbreaks delivering strong immunity.
  5. Dr Mpho Maja, long-serving Director of Animal Health, on leave during worst FMD outbreak ever; Dr Nadia de Beer appointed acting director from 9 February 2026.
  6. Design Biologix refutes Minister Steenhuisen’s claim it withdrew FMD vaccine import application; alleges OBP and department officials deliberately derailed exclusive agency deal with Biogénesis Bagó.
  7. Steenhuisen’s 22 January meeting with Biogénesis Bagó and Argentine ambassador led to termination of Design Biologix contract on 2 February; company preparing 6 million emergency doses.
  8. AfriForum accuses Minister Steenhuisen of “treason” against farmers and consumers for covertly pressuring exclusion of Design Biologix from FMD vaccine supply chain.
  9. Dr Danie Odendaal removed from Ministerial Task Team on Controlled Diseases for refusing to sign confidentiality agreement; critics call it retaliation for exposing vaccine delays.
  10. Odendaal labelled LNR’s local FMD vaccine rollout “national disgrace”; notes vaccine developed 2010, registered 2022, but never scaled—could have contained 2022 outbreaks.
  11. LNR confirms current production in outdated BSL-3 facility; new factory planned for 20 million doses/year within five years, but capacity remains major bottleneck.
  12. SAAI chairman Theo de Jager calls for private sector to handle FMD containment; says state monopoly causing deadly delays while dairies close at 2–3 per week.
  13. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl criticises 30 years of empty SONA promises; demands devolution of FMD management to private sector with proven cold-chain capacity.
  14. Grain SA urges SONA 2026 to protect wheat against subsidised imports, speed Act 36 remedy registrations, accelerate precision breeding approvals, and create investment-friendly R&D environment.
  15. Citrus Growers’ Association calls for finalising trade agreements (US, EU, China, India) to unlock 100,000 potential jobs by 2032; logistics and market access critical.
  16. SA Canegrowers demands Ramaphosa honour 2021 local procurement promise; imported sugar flooding market (163,379 tons Apr–Dec 2025), sugar tax caused 16,000+ job losses.
  17. South Africa Wine urges SONA 2026 for urgent AAMP implementation: predictable excise, wine tourism as national growth engine, market access acceleration, logistics fixes.
  18. Agri Wes-Kaap and RPO intensify biosecurity after FMD confirmed in Kuruman (Northern Cape); first case in province, all nine provinces now affected.
  19. Northern Cape MEC Lebogang Motlhaping meets agricultural bodies to reinforce quarantine and movement controls after Kuruman outbreak confirmation.
  20. Global FAO Food Price Index falls for fifth month in January 2026 (123.9 points, -0.4% MoM), driven by dairy (-5.0%), sugar (-1.0%), meat (-0.4%) declines.
  21. FAO forecasts record 3.023 billion tonnes cereal production in 2025; stocks-to-use ratio hits 31.8%—highest since 2001—with strong wheat, maize, rice harvests.
  22. U.S. net farm income projected to decline 0.7% to $153.4 billion in 2026; Purdue Ag Economy Barometer signals deep pessimism over exports and finances.
  23. Bipartisan U.S. ag leaders warn Congress of “widespread collapse” risk without urgent action; accumulated losses exceed $50 billion in recent crop years.
  24. Brazil soybean harvest momentum boosts private forecasts, reinforcing export dominance and pressuring U.S. market share.
  25. China accelerates agricultural modernisation with 500 demonstration zones targeted by 2030; focus on tech, reforms, and production capacity.
  26. South Africa-China CAEPA zero-tariff deal signed; early harvest expected by March 2026, opening huge potential (China imports ~US$200 billion agriculture annually).
  27. AGOA extended one year for South Africa, averting ~33% tariff jump; largely sentiment-positive as current 30% Liberation Day tariffs close to MFN rates.
  28. South Africa gains table grape market access to South Korea (effective 23 Jan 2026) after 20+ years of negotiations; cold chain compliance key.
  29. Rhino poaching drops 16% in 2025 (352 vs 420 in 2024); Mpumalanga/Kruger hardest hit (178 poached), KZN turnaround strong (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi down to 63).
  30. Tougher prosecutions (20-year sentence for ZM Muiambo/Thomas Chauke) and tech (cameras, sensors, polygraphs) credited for poaching decline.
  31. Namibia mobilises 80+ veterinary staff, N$1.5 billion emergency budget request to fortify southern border against FMD threat from Botswana and Northern Cape.
  32. Noordoewer and Ariamsvlei border posts upgraded with disinfection bays; cloven-hoofed imports suspended from affected zones.
  33. BASF establishes new agriculture-dedicated legal entity; IPO planned 2027 to sharpen focus on seeds, crop protection, BioSolutions, digital farming.
  34. BASF reaffirms long-term commitment to South Africa as growth catalyst for Africa; emphasis on innovation, local teams, farmer support.
  35. Agritourism grows fast in SA: $180.6m in 2024 → $295.5m by 2030 (8.6% CAGR); Western Cape leads, but Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KZN rising.
  36. Nedbank Agriculture backs agritourism diversification amid input cost squeeze; funding for facilities, training, tech, marketing.
  37. Mozambique faces famine risk after Limpopo floods devastate Chókwè breadbasket; 724,000 affected, 55,000 in shelters, 45,750 ha unusable.
  38. Ukraine risks losing half its pig population in 2026 due to ASF resurgence and low farmgate prices; rebuilding costs billions.
  39. Global cereal stocks-to-use ratio at 31.8% (highest since 2001); FAO warns stability not long-term immunity from shocks.
  40. U.S. cattle profits at record highs; analysts eye 2025 peak tests amid benign weather and strong calf crops.
  41. BIOFACH 2026 sees Thailand aggressively target premium organic buyers; strong prior orders fuel expansion push.
  42. World Ag Expo 2026 (Feb 10–12, Tulare) showcases tech amid financial strain and volatility.
  43. U.S. farm bailout talks intensify as losses mount; Senate Ag Committee warns of heavy crop losses.
  44. India farmers fear U.S. trade deal concessions under Trump; tariff reductions could hurt domestic agriculture.
  45. China targets 500 modernisation zones by 2030 to boost efficiency and output.
  46. U.S. 45Z clean fuel credit updates praised by farm and biofuel sectors for sustainability.
  47. Global orange production up 0.9% to 45.9m tonnes in 2025/26; Brazil leads gains.
  48. Agroforestry gains traction as global sustainability tool; Southern Africa fence removal research boosts wildlife and economy.
  49. U.S. grain/soybean futures steady; export sales decline last week amid competition from Brazil.
  50. Global ag leaders call for urgent reforms to avert sector collapse amid tariffs, rising costs, disease outbreaks, and trade realignments.


Agri News Net – always on time, 7 days a week – your trusted, independent source for farming and agriculture news. Visit www.agrinewsnet.co.za for 50+ updated stories every day!

South Africa's Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) faces intense scrutiny over the devastating Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak that has ravaged the livestock sector since 2025.

Die Landbounavorsingsraad is optimisties oor sy plaaslik vervaardigde entstof teen bek-en-klouseer wat hy suksesvol by Onderstepoort ontwikkel en geregistreer het. Die LNR glo dit sal verligting bring in 'n tydperk wat dié siekte 'n negatiewe impak op die land se ekonomie het. Boere gaan gebuk onder een van die ergste uitbrekings van die siekte. Die LNR se hoofnavorsingstegnikus oor eksotiese siektes, dokter Faith Peta.

Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), as currently implemented in South Africa, is effectively coming to an end due to widespread criticism from businesses, civil society, and even elements within government, forcing significant changes to the policy framework.

Die landbouministerie in Namibia het 'n multisektorale vergadering oor bek-en-klouseer-voorbereiding en reaksie gehou in die hoofstad. Verskeie partye van die landbou sektor het deelgeneem aan die gesprekke.

Global onion markets in early February 2026 are largely stable but cautious, supported by ample supply in several key regions, steady retail demand, and ongoing price pressure in select markets.

AgriSA sê Ramaphosa se verklaring van die voortgesette bek-en-klouseer-uitbreking as 'n nasionale ramp moet 'n behoorlik gekoördineerde nasionale reaksie tot gevolg hê. Die organisasie waarsku boere en landelike gemeenskappe is reeds onder ernstige finansiële druk as gevolg van bewegingsbeperkings, vertraagde verkope en verhoogde biosekuriteitskoste.

South Africa is heading toward tougher restrictions on alcohol consumption and sales, as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his 2025 State of the Nation Address. The measures aim to address social problems linked to alcohol abuse, including child stunting (especially from drinking during pregnancy), high road accident deaths, violence, and crime.

Die voorgestelde wysigingswetsontwerp aan die Nasionale Waterwet (ingediend op 21 Januarie 2026) kan ingrypende veranderinge bring aan watergebruik deur landbouprodusente, veral met betrekking tot lisensiëring, regulering en herverdeling van water.

The business rescue practitioners for Tongaat Hulett, the 134-year-old South African sugar producer, have applied to the KwaZulu-Natal High Court to end the rescue proceedings and place the company into provisional liquidation after concluding that no viable options remain to save the business.

Vanaf 1 April 2026 sal Suid-Afrikaanse boere sowat 25% meer uit die dieselrabatstelsel kan kry, aangesien die regering die kwalifiserende dieselverbruik nou 100% (voorheen 80%) as deel van die brandstofbelasting op diesel laat terugvorder. Dit beteken dat op 1 000 liter kwalifiserende dieselverbruik ’n boer R3 720 (teen huidige heffings) sal kan terugkry in plaas van R2 976.

Theo de Jager, executive chair of the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI), has launched a sharp public attack on Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen’s handling of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, accusing him of deliberately sidelining scientific expertise and punishing those who raise valid concerns.

Die Langkloof se 2026-vrugteseisoen staar ’n moeilike jaar in die gesig weens ’n vernietigende storm verlede Donderdag wat van die Bo- tot Onder-Langkloof gewoed het, met sterk winde (60–115 km/u) en hael wat vrugte afgewaai en bome ernstig beskadig het.

Dr Mpho Maja, Director of Animal Health in South Africa’s Department of Agriculture and one of the most senior officials responsible for managing animal diseases like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), is currently on leave during the country’s worst FMD outbreak on record.

Chris Burgess spreek diep skeptisisme en woede oor die hantering van die bek-en-klouseer-krisis en die entstofproses, en stel dat die werklike stryd nie oor wetenskap of dieregesondheid gaan nie, maar oor wie die groot geld gaan inkry.

South Africa’s agriculture, traditionally focused on food production, is evolving with agritourism emerging as a powerful diversification strategy. It combines farming with tourism experiences like farm stays, wine tastings, berry picking, farm-to-table dining, camping, and wellness retreats, allowing farmers to showcase their work, share their lifestyle and stories, and connect authentically with visitors.

FMD disease epidemic has been regarded as a national crisis due to the massive economic damage it is causing, and has therefore been officially declared a national disaster. The government plans to vaccinate the country's entire cattle herd of approximately 14 million animals

South Africa has successfully secured market access for table grape exports to South Korea, effective from the 2026/27 season, following more than 20 years of negotiations to meet the country's strict phytosanitary and cold chain requirements.

Dr. Mpho Maja, direkteur van dieregesondheid in die departement van landbou en een van die mees senior amptenare verantwoordelik vir die nasionale hantering van dieresiektes soos bek-en-klouseer (BKS), is tans met verlof te midde van die ergste BKS-krisis in Suid-Afrika se geskiedenis.

South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis has spread to all nine provinces after the Northern Cape confirmed its first case in the Kuruman district.

South Africa’s Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has outlined a comprehensive strategy to regain FMD-free status by fully integrating the wildlife sector into national biosecurity protocols, recognising buffalo and other wildlife as natural virus reservoirs.

Op streeksvergaderings in die Wes-Kaap se wintergraangebiede het Graan SA en ander koringprodusente dié krisis belig. Dit bedreig produsente se voortbestaan, aanplantingsbesluite en die land se voedselsekerheid.

South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal has reached catastrophic levels, with 17,833 farms confirmed infected and an estimated 70–90% of herds affected across districts like Amajuba (6,187 cases), uThukela (4,015), and uMgungundlovu (2,281).

Despite years of intense pressure from cheap dumped imports, drought, soaring feed costs, energy shortages (loadshedding), and avian influenza outbreaks, South Africa’s broiler poultry industry remains one of the most technically efficient and globally competitive in the world.

 

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Dear Mr Steenhuisen,
My name is Edgar Brotherton. I am a dairy farmer in the Eastern Cape and I write this letter not only on my own behalf, but on behalf of many farmers who have raised the alarm across every available platform with little to no effect.
As I write this, our dairy farm near Kowa (Elliot) is under immediate threat. A neighbouring beef farm reported a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak three weeks ago. A neighbouring dairy farm confirmed an outbreak last week. Yesterday, we were informed that the commonage adjacent to us has now also reported cases. We are completely surrounded and expect infection at any moment. With no vaccine we have no defence.
FMD on a dairy farm is not a minor incident it is a war zone. It has already devastated dairy operations in KwaZulu-Natal, and we are now watching the same disaster unfold here, fully aware of what lies ahead.
At this point, the only meaningful defence available to us was access to vaccine supplies through the state. That responsibility rested squarely with you and your department. On that front, you have failed us.
While farmers fight to save their animals, livelihoods, and decades of work, your department continues to deliberate, delay, and restrict, achieving little more than tying our hands while we are forced to watch our animals suffer. The consequences of this inaction will not be theoretical but will be measured in destroyed herds, collapsed businesses, and rural livelihoods lost.
Diseases are not new to agriculture. Farmers manage risk daily, often without state involvement and usually more effectively because of it. What we cannot manage is a system that blocks solutions, withholds vaccines, and claims authority while offering no protection.
Instead of supporting the very people you are mandated to serve, your department has become an obstacle in a crisis.
If the state cannot respond decisively, then step aside and allow farmers access to the tools they need to protect their animals and their businesses. We do not need inefficiency and indecision added to an already devastating situation.
This crisis was foreseeable. The damage now unfolding was avoidable. The responsibility rests with those who had the power to act and chose not to.
Yours sincerely,
Edgar Brotherton
Dairy Farmer, Eastern Cape

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