Motshidisi Modise’s journey into farming wasn’t planned; it was built through determination. After setbacks, she brought dormant family land in Mpumalanga back to life and launched Unlimited Agri. Now she produces maize, vegetables, and livestock for her community.

While over 1 700 hemp permits have been issued in South Africa, actual production lags due to a fractured value chain. Experts warn that without reliable data, local seed varieties, and clear commercial governance, the sector’s potential for food, fibre, and fuel will remain untapped for farmers.

Keep your finger on the pulse of upcoming agricultural events. There's an in-depth training course for serious pig producers in George, and save the date for the Agri-Expo Western Cape Youth Show. Don't forget to book your spot at the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba!

As the world marks International Women’s Day and the International Year of the Woman Farmer, South African women are no longer silent engines of production. From the Northern Cape to Limpopo, women in farming are demanding better policy enforcement, fair opportunities, and representation.

Can a 15-second video double a farmer's income? In Senegal, the answer is yes. Farmers are turning TikTok into a powerhouse marketplace, showing the world that farming is modern, mechanised, and, most importantly, profitable.

South Africa wastes more than 10.3 million tonnes of food annually. Ahead of Food Waste Action Week from 9-15 March, the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa is urging businesses, government and citizens to work together to reduce food loss and build more sustainable food systems.

When Lakhe Mangena left his electrical engineering studies behind, he didn’t lose direction; he found his true calling in agriculture. Now, through Imbewu Yethu Agri-Solutions, he grows high-quality vegetables for his neighbours.

SPONSORED CONTENT: Agritec Africa at the Gallagher Convention Centre is more than an agricultural expo; it’s a catalyst for transformation. With global exhibitors, live demos, and strategic matchmaking, it’s where farmers access technologies, finance, and insights to drive sustainable growth.

Biological crop protection, artificial intelligence and data-driven farming are reshaping agriculture. But will these innovations reach SA farmers in time? Experts say faster approvals, improved infrastructure and better collaboration could unlock major growth for the country’s grain industry.

Emerging farmers in the Eastern Cape are paying the price for mismanaged state-backed agricultural projects. A parliamentary committee report reveals how secrecy in packhouses, stalled title deeds, vandalised infrastructure and delayed funding have destroyed black-owned farming enterprises.

The department of agriculture has dismissed rumours about vaccine costs during the country’s FMD response. Minister John Steenhuisen emphasised that farmers will not pay for vaccines, and that government procurement covers the full logistics chain needed to safely deliver doses to farms nationwide.

By blending the traditional wisdom of her herbalist mother with advanced horticultural research, Babalwa Ntwana-Mpambani is unlocking the potential of the Eastern Cape’s flora. Now, as an agronomist, she focuses on the cultivation of medicinal plants.

Escalating conflict in the Middle East has sent ripples through South Africa’s agricultural sector. Industry leaders warn of logistical nightmares and surging fuel prices as key export routes face disruption.

Earning consecutive AA gradings and fewer than five deviations over five years, Ceres Fruit Growers (CFG) has secured top honours at the BRCGS awards in London. This prestigious award recognises CFG’s unwavering commitment to food safety and quality management.

SPONSORED CONTENT: Precision irrigation has been redefining sugarcane farming across Africa. Netafim’s subsurface drip systems and automation tools are helping farmers double yields, reduce costs, and future-proof their operations. 

Collaboration, not competition, will shape South Africa’s grain future. At this week’s Grain SA Research Meeting, leaders from across the industry called for stronger public–private partnerships, smarter innovation, and a sharper focus on biosecurity.

A new generation of agri-professionals is stepping forward. Potchefstroom College of Agriculture has graduated 68 students who blend academic insight with real-world skills. MEC Madoda Sambatha applauded their hard work and the farmers who opened their gates for hands-on learning.

As global demand for organic castor oil rises, experts say South Africa has the ideal conditions to grow this resilient crop. Learn about planting guidelines, regulatory permits, and how small-scale producers can tap into this low-maintenance, high-yield market.

From battling heat stress to fighting TB, farm health workers are changing lives in the Cape Winelands. With on-site clinics and community trust, Dutoit Agri’s partnership with the Western Cape health department is a shining model for accessible rural healthcare.

South Africa is racing to contain foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) by importing emergency vaccines from Argentina. Blessing Zitha from the ARC explains that while it may seem to clash with self-sufficiency goals, it’s a vital move to protect farmers, exports, and rural livelihoods.

In Mpumalanga’s Thaba Chweu Municipality, the woman-led Noko Development Trust is proving how targeted supplier development can transform smallholder farming. With access to training, mentorship and quality inputs, the trust has evolved into a sustainable enterprise and created jobs.

Phumeza Dolo started ISthebe Kitchenette in her Gqeberha backyard with just an R350 Sassa grant and a patch of wild chamomile. Today, she’s a multi-award-winning producer, making herbal tea and tonics, creating jobs and healing her community.

Planning is one thing; implementation is another. Stakeholders say that while the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) has improved dialogue between government and the sector over the last three years, red tape and a lack of access to funding are holding farmers back.

It's a new month, and agricultural events to look for include Agritec Africa in Joburg, North-West University is hosting a farmers' day, an aquaponics course by Agri Skills Transfer, and a Dormer auction in Kroonstad.

Farming that ignores the environment is farming without a future. South Africa’s food security depends on healthy soils, clean water, and balanced ecosystems. Dr Ndeke Musee explains how putting the environment at the heart of agriculture ensures lasting success.

Once introduced with good intentions, mesquite has become a serious threat in the Northern Cape. Research shows this invasive tree drains water and nutrients from the soil, squeezing out native plants and grasslands. Experts call for the eradication and restoration of rangelands.

“Sinovuyo” means joy, and that is exactly what you’ll find in this Khayelitsha garden. Established in 2015, this club is a lifeline for elders who were tired of being left out. Today, they’re growing everything from avocados to curly kale, sharing meals, and walking together.

Land reform is often viewed as a political risk, but leaving restored land unproductive is an economic crisis. Peter Setou, CEO of the Vumelana Advisory Fund, says by funding governance and legal facilitation through CSI, businesses can unlock millions in private investment.

North West and Western Cape premiers announced renewed action against stock theft, the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and climate resilience plans in their respective State of the Province Addresses.

When dreams of becoming a chef didn’t pan out, Nompilo Ntimbane stirred up a new recipe for success. With just R7 000 and a passion for flavour, she launched Zempilo General Trading, a growing sauce business that proves determination and creativity can turn any setback into a delicious comeback.

The South African agricultural sector is calling for swift diplomatic action. As trade tensions with the Trump administration persist, industry leaders emphasise that a vacant ambassador post in Washington leaves SA's exporters vulnerable.

With Tongaat Hulett’s provisional liquidation hearing looming, SA Canegrowers has appealed for a multi-ministerial rescue plan to preserve the sugar industry’s operational stability. They warn that a collapse could deepen import dependence, trigger job losses, and derail rural economic recovery.

South Africa’s 2026 budget brings mixed fortunes for agriculture. While water projects and food safety initiatives receive long-awaited funding, the wine and tobacco industries face higher excise duties.

Goat milk isn’t just for your breakfast anymore; it’s powering a new wave of agripreneurship. With dual-purpose goats and smart grazing systems, Limpopo farmer Tshwarelo Mtimkulu turns goat milk into high-value products like cheese and soap.

Consumers may be smiling at lower potato prices, but for producers, the story is grim. Farmers say current returns barely cover costs, threatening the survival of many small operations. Market data confirms a worrying trend — prices continue to slide while input costs rise.

Gauteng and Free State premiers shared their plans in the battle against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). With vaccination drives, livestock movement controls, and local vaccine rollout underway, leaders are prioritising food security and rural livelihoods.

Agro-processing helps farmers capture more value from their crops and secure long-term growth. Martin Boima shares expert advice on food safety, testing, labelling, and scaling your processing business.

How Culdevco supports SA fruit growers with resilient cultivars Culdevco, the commercialisation and marketing agent for the ARC, is empowering South African fruit growers. It transforms innovative genetics into resilient, profitable, climate-smart cultivars.

Feed manufacturers face unpredictable costs due to global soymeal price swings. The Animal Feed Manufacturers Association argues that listing soymeal futures on the JSE will improve cost certainty for livestock producers and reduce exposure to currency fluctuations.

Stakeholders warn that South Africa’s dairy industry faces an "unsustainable" crisis as state-applied FMD measures disrupt the value chain. Clover and Milk SA maintain that processed dairy remains 100% safe for human consumption, yet current export permits remain inconsistent.

As finance minister Enoch Godongwana prepares the 2026 National Budget, farmers and industry leaders warn that crumbling rural infrastructure, inadequate support, and above-inflation excise duties are stifling investment, fueling illicit markets, and threatening jobs nationwide.

In the lush hills of Empangeni, Gugulethu Precious Masuku is transforming her family’s sugarcane legacy into a thriving craft distillery. Through her brand, Pegasus Gold, she merges heritage, innovation, and marketing savvy, proving that a “happy mistake” can lead to a groundbreaking business.

Frans Dolamo of RMIS warns that a single FMD outbreak can undo years of hard work. From 28-day quarantine periods to strict visitor logs, simple daily habits are your farm's best defence.

This week, we highlight a few agricultural events. There is a groundnuts production workshop in North West, a Bonsmara auction in the Northern Cape, and an organic farming conference in Gauteng. Don't forget to book for the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba!

South Africa consumes 5 000 tons of honey annually, yet remains heavily reliant on imports. Innovations manager Sibongiseni Peacock says that to protect SA's food systems, the country needs a coherent policy vision that supports small-scale beekeepers with land access and extension services.

At the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), one machine is reshaping livestock science and farmer security. The SeqStudio Flex Genetic Analyzer is cracking stock theft cases, improving breeding accuracy, and training tomorrow’s scientists.

With apple and pear exports to China up 35% year-on-year, Tru-Cape says the new CAEPA agreement marks a turning point for the fruit industry. The deal will phase out China’s 10% import tariff on local apples and pears, levelling the playing field for South African producers.

Career paths aren't always a straight line. After studying maritime studies, Nonjabulo Mzobe pivoted to agribusiness when she couldn't find a job. Through Nonrican Agri-Farm, she’s planting maize, butternuts, and hope in her community.

South Africa’s unemployment rate may be easing slightly, but for many in agriculture, job creation remains a long-term goal. While the Western Cape leads with strong employment gains and agricultural growth, emerging farmers continue to face barriers that limit their ability to hire more workers.

Despite rainfall fluctuations and heat stress affecting yields, the rooibos industry continues to support rural livelihoods and maintain global confidence. Chairperson Dawie de Villiers says the industry’s outlook for 2026 centres on climate resilience, regulatory readiness and sustainable growth.