According to new research, information regarding soil health is often too generalised. Locally sourced data will help farmers use the best practices for their land.

The challenges agriculture poses are well known.

The most crucial time for South Africa’s summer crop and some horticulture products, and by extension the livestock sector, is between October and February of each year.

The agriculture industry influences many sectors of the economy locally as well as internationally.

For decades, scientists have been warning about potential future effects of global climate change, including more frequent wildfires, longer periods of drought, and sharp increases in the number, duration, and intensity of tropical storms.

Glyphosate – the weedkiller better known by its most-famous brand name Roundup – does not have the best of public profiles.

 Our first note for the year was sent out on 13 January 2020 and highlighted two threats that were imminent at the time in the sector, namely, drought and biosecurity (specifically foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever).

This year has presented humanity with one of its biggest health challenges in decades, with the spread of the coronavirus causing the loss of life and big disruptions to activity across different sectors of the economy.

There are many movies where satellites offer scary surveillance capabilities.

Digitization, Internet of Things and sustainability – these three megatrends are guiding many industries since more than a couple of years, and we would maybe not link them to fruit growing right away.

For years, conventional wisdom has held that roots don't grow as deep in hard soil because it's just too difficult for them to physically push through it. But our new research has unearthed another reason: their growth is controlled by a biological signal which can be "switched off", enabling them to punch through compacted earth. It's a discovery that could help crops to grow in even the most damaged of soils.

France is traditionally an important player on the world’s grains market, supplying a range of markets, particularly in the nearby countries of North Africa, with which it has a close trading relationship.

From the Reconstruction and Development Programme of President Mandela to the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of President Mbeki, the National Development Plan of President Zuma and recently the Reconstruction and Economic Recovery Plan of President Ramaphosa, agriculture has always been tipped as a key generator of jobs and economic activity in rural South Africa.

SOUTH African agriculture should face climate change head-on using science and innovation

Produced by the UK think-tank Chatham House and backed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Compassion in World Farming, the study says that agriculture is threatening 86% of the 28,000+ plant and animal species known to be at risk of extinction.

Technological advancements have changed the face of every sector; agriculture is no stranger to such developments. Here are some ways in which technology can be a harbinger of hope for farmers across the Indian subcontinent:

African governments should have a fresh look at agriculture. 

We are likely in another week of positive news for South Africa's agricultural sector.

Sustainable farming or, in a broader term, Sustainable agriculture is using farming practices considering the ecological cycles.

The troubles which haunt the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development are many and predate its executive head, Thoko Didiza. Admittedly, though, there is no escaping the present reality that Didiza remains responsible for effecting a credible turnaround.