Farmer's Weekly

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation is investing R2,8 million in seven lobster-farming co-ops under the Tsweleni Rock Lobster Project in Port St Johns. The funds are aimed at enhancing product quality, scaling up production, and improving export competitiveness. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/sout…

With the conflict-affected Middle Eastern trading environment becoming increasingly complex and uncertain, #FarmersWeeklySA spoke to a South African fruit exporter and a Saudi Arabia-based importer about challenges on the ground. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/sout…

#FarmersWeeklySA is at the Industrial Hemp Fibre Processing for Commercialisation Conference 2026, at the Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel in Durban. Key topics to be discussed include: • The role of policy and regulation in unlocking hemp’s commercial potential • Advances in fibre processing and textile innovation • Market development opportunities for South African producers • The integration of hemp into sustainable value chains Photos: Octavia Avesca Spandiel

Following her resignation from her job in 2024, Amoré Mannsberger decided to take on a new challenge. Her husband, Ulf, purchased 60 Pekin ducks in December 2024 for her to begin breeding a small flock. Once the pullets started to lay their first eggs, she decided to invest in an incubator and hatcher, deciding to fully commit to duck farming as her next venture. She and Ulf established Netmooiniks duck farm in early 2025, located near Lindequesdrif in North West. Mannsberger says she quickly fell in love with the idea of starting her own operation after seeing her first ducks thrive. “I believe farming was something I was always going to return to. My husband farmed citrus and watermelon in the past, so I have always been surrounded by the lifestyle,” she says. Since then, Mannsberger’s operation has grown rapidly and she now maintains a fully fledged production cycle. Netmooiniks is a 7ha plot of land that is divided into seven breeding pens with housing to provide pasture for each group at various growing phases. Click the link to learn more: bit.ly/4cSSJhJ

The historic showgrounds in Bathurst, Eastern Cape will once again come alive with the sights and sounds of rural life when the annual show hosted by the Bathurst Agricultural Society takes place from 26 to 29 March 2026. brnw.ch/21x0PUU

Four friends from Pretoria are jet skiing along South Africa’s coastline to shine a spotlight on the pressures farmers face and the toll on their mental health, through the Coast 2 Coast 4 Farmers initiative. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/sout…

Tackling FMD & the new risks to producers stemming from the Middle East conflict were among the major concerns discussed during the passing of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s latest budget vote. An increase of R128,5 million to R1,14 billion for 2026/2027 was approved. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/sout…

Argentina is one of the world’s top sunflower producers 🌻 Nearly 90% of its sunflower crop is processed into oil, thanks to a powerful processing industry and continuous investment in advanced seed genetics and milling technology. It’s no surprise that Argentina has been on the travel wish list of many South African crop farmers eager to learn from their production practices. This week, Syngenta Seeds turned that dream into reality, taking a group of South African sunflower farmers and industry experts to Argentina. In this interview, Hendrik van Staden, Syngenta Seeds Business Unit Head for South Africa and Field Crops Head for Africa & the Middle East, shares insights from the experience. #farmersweeklysa Video: Magda du Toit

The ongoing war in the Middle East, which has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, has far-reaching consequences for South African fruit exports. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/sout…

Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture Nonceba Kontsiwe visited Qhimirha Village in Sterkspruit recently to hand over infrastructure and machinery worth more than R1,6 million to help subsistence farmers improve wool and mohair quality and move towards commercial production. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/sout…

South Africa has once again demonstrated its world-class shearing expertise after delivering an outstanding performance at the Golden Shears World Championships in Masterton, New Zealand. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/sout…

Kenyan farmers have received a temporary reprieve in their seed-saving battle after the government failed to overturn a High Court ruling protecting farmers’ right to save, share, and exchange indigenous seeds. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/afri…

The ongoing implementation of Rainbow Chicken Limited’s growth strategy, combined with strong demand for chicken, lower input costs, and a strengthening rand against the US dollar, boosted the company’s financial performance for the second half of 2025. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/sout…

Addressing more than 250 grain farmers at the 2026 Grain SA Congress in Bothaville on 11 to 12 March, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said it was a privilege to engage with those producing the staple crops that sustain South Africa. He also discussed the pressing issues facing grain farmers, touching on input costs, bureaucratic policies, failing municipal infrastructure, the profitability of wheat production, and the FMD crisis in his speech. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/sout…

Private companies and industry organisations are helping to accelerate the delivery of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines across South Africa, enabling faster rollout in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal as authorities work to contain outbreaks. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/sout…

The #FarmersWeeklySA team is exhibiting at Agritec Africa at stand 115 from 12 to 13 March at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand The event brings together farmers, agribusiness leaders, innovators, and technology providers. Don’t miss this chance to connect, collaborate, and explore the latest innovations at Agritec Africa.

South Africa needs greater awareness and understanding of nature, especially soils. Crop producers must turn the vicious cycle of soil degradation into a virtuous cycle through restoration and regeneration. - Dr Hendrik Smith addressing attendees at the NWU Farmers Day.

Hendrik Smith, soil scientist and conservation agriculture researcher at ASSET Research, who was keynote speaker at the NWU Farmers' Day, made a strong case for no-tillage and conservation agriculture in his presentation. According to him, about 40% of South Africa’s soil organic carbon has already been lost, resulting in degraded soils and reduced production capacity. “Robust soil has structure, vibrancy and functionality. Incidentally, one teaspoon of healthy soil holds about 200 metres of fungal hyphae,” Smith said.

Prof Gerhard van der Westhuisen welcomed delegates at the University of the North West's (NWU) farmers' day being held in Potchefstroom. The theme for the day is: Sustainable Agriculture: Crossing Borders. Dr Hendrik Smith (seated), soil scientist and conservation agriculture researcher at ASSET Research is the main speaker at the event.