Indigenous vs Exotic Cattle Breeds: What Works Best in South Africa?
Choosing the right cattle breed is critical for success in South African farming. Farmers face a choice between indigenous breeds, adapted to local conditions, and exotic breeds, valued for high…
Maximizing 1 Acre: High-Value Crops and Livestock for Small Plots
Small-scale farmers in South Africa face the challenge of making limited land highly productive. With just one acre, careful planning and selection of high-value crops and livestock can generate significant…
Understanding Foot-and-Mouth Disease: What South African Farmers Need to Know
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains one of the most significant threats to livestock farming in South Africa. Highly contagious, the disease affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. An…
Profile Agro-Processor Addressing Equality Through Mushroom Capacity Production and Processing
Profile Agro-Processor is driving inclusive economic growth by using mushroom production and processing as a tool to address inequality and strengthen rural livelihoods. At the center of this initiative is…
The Rise of Craft Gins Using Indigenous Botanicals in South Africa: Opportunities for Farmers
South Africa’s growing craft gin industry is creating new opportunities for farmers who grow indigenous botanicals. Distilleries increasingly use local plants such as fynbos, buchu, rooibos, and honeybush to create…
Free State Department of Agriculture Confirms 18 New Foot-and-Mouth Disease Cases and Urges Farmers to Strengthen Biosecurity
The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed eighteen new cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) across several localities, bringing the province’s total confirmed cases to 256. The…
Mpumalanga DARDLEA Hands Over State-of-the-Art Combine Harvester to Boost Grain Production in Dr J.S Moroka
Mpumalanga’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) has officially handed over a state-of-the-art Combine Harvester to grain producers in Dr J.S Moroka Local Municipality, Nkangala District.…
LDARD Strengthens Small Stock Production Skills Among Kalkspruit Farmers
The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), in partnership with the Agricultural Research Council and the South African Police Service, recently conducted a Small Stock Farmers training in…
Safe and Effective Pesticide Spraying Practices to Prevent Drift
Pesticide spraying is an essential practice in modern agriculture, helping farmers control pests, protect crops, and improve yields. However, improper application can lead to pesticide drift, which occurs when chemicals…
Mental Health for Farmers: Managing Stress, Drought and Isolation
Farming is a demanding profession that combines long hours, physical labour, and constant exposure to unpredictable conditions. Many farmers face financial pressure, extreme weather, and market uncertainty, which can take…
Free State MEC Engages Farmers on Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Sector Challenges in Botshabelo
Free State MEC for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, Elzabe Rockman, held a Farmer’s Engagement session at Lenyora la Thuto Secondary School in Botshabelo. The session…
Vuyolwethu Mrwata Builds Scalable Farming Systems Through Licebo Harvest
Vuyolwethu Mrwata, a Mail and Guardian Power of Women awardee and first runner-up at the 2025 Gauteng Young Entrepreneur Awards, is the founder of Licebo Harvest, a Pretoria-based horticulture farm…
