In Africa, the Moringa tree is dubbed the “Miracle tree”, and for good reason. It and can be utilised from its roots to leaves for various purposes. The plant has its origins in the Middle East and India, but has since been spread globally and is produced for commercial purposes.…
Plants, just like animals, need food to grow, and they obtain this food or nutrients from the soil. As a farmer, you should continuously feed the soil to keep your plants healthy, to help them to fight pests and disease and to ensure good yields. Most farmers provide their “plant food”…
When looking at a hand full of soil, it might not look very active, but your soil is a container for a dynamic system of biotic (living) and abiotic (physical) processes. This means the composition of your soil is constantly changing and to ensure good yields, farmers must adjust to…
The pH level of your soil influences the availability of nutrients to plants in the soil. If the pH levels move beyond the optimal range of about 6 (slightly acidic) and 7.5 (slightly alkaline), your plants will have difficulty to absorb certain nutrients and deficiencies will occur, ultimately affecting the…
The green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is a tropical summer crop that comes in 2 forms - bush beans and runner beans. This legume is easy to grow and doesn’t need a lot of space. Their high nutritional value is the reason to promote them for the market or to keep…
Here’s some expert advice on weed and pest control for your bell peppers. APHIDS Aphids (mainly Myzus persicae or green peach aphids) are small, soft bodied insects that can be green, black, yellow or pink. They are found on the terminal growth ends or underneath the leaf of the plant.…
If you cultivate vegetables of any kind, you will know how important the pH of your soil is. The pH value of your soil will indicate which crops or vegetables will grow best in your soil. The pH of soil is a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of the…
Here’s some expert advice on the cultivation of bell, or sweet, peppers and how to prepare your soil to produce healthy yields. CULTIVATION Bell pepper seed can be sown directly into the field, but commercial farmers prefer to transplant seedlings bought from vegetable seedling growers or prepared by themselves. Sowing…
The bell pepper is a healthy vegetable and can be utilised in its raw or cooked state. Its subtle taste adds flavour to many dishes. It is the only Capsicum that does not produce capsaicin, the chemical that gives other chillies their hot, fiery taste. The bell pepper is an…
Ethiopia obtained a loan worth US$170 million from the World Bank to increase farmer productivity and income. According to a World Bank media release the Livestock and Fisheries Sector Development project will aid 1.2 million farm households that depend on livestock and fisheries to earn more income. The credit facility…
Need some advice and information on pork production? Look no further. We compiled some articles on pig farming. GENERAL How do I get started in pig farming? Keeping farm records for your piggery Useful guidelines for pig farming HEALTH Learn more about African swine fever Dealing with flies in your…
When industrial design student Ivan Brown from the University of Johannesburg had to choose a topic for his Master’s Degree, he was looking for ways improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The outcome, the Beegin project, provides a tool for smallholder and urban farmers to increase their income, as well…
The South African agricultural company Crookes Brothers announced in its interim results for 2017 that its profit after tax declined by 70% to R26.4 million from R89.4 million in 2016. According to the company the decrease was “driven mainly by a decrease in sugar revenue and a write down in…
According to a report from the OIE, 3 outbreaks of the deadly viral poultry disease Newcastle disease have been reported in Botswana. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) yesterday released an immediate notification report of 3 outbreaks of the disease in the Kgatleng, Central and South-East provinces. A total…
Limited knowledge about agriculture, as well as a lack of commitment and consistency are some of the reasons for African governments struggles to put the right policies in place to ensure agricultural transformation on the continent. “This (African) region needs enlightened policy guidance to allow the private sector to come…
Zambian farmers should think about planting soya beans for the coming season, says Jacob Mwale of the Zambian Commodity Exchange (ZAMACE). “There is an already existing market in South Africa. South Africa has to import from offshore countries like Argentina and Brazil. It’s the question of whether Zambia is competitive,”…
Biocontrol company Koppert Biological Systems is expanding their reach on the African continent by opening of a new subsidiary for West Africa in Cote d’Ivoire. The Dutch based company already has a foothold in North Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa. “Having successfully registered a range of Koppert’s biocontrol products…
Phatisa, an African investment company and fund manager, received US$10 million in equity investment from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) to invest in African agriculture. The Phatisa Food Fund 2 (PFF2) aims to boost agriculture and nutrition across the continent. “Following the AfDB approval, existing approval from Overseas Private Investment…
Farmers globally find it difficult to get access to investments, but for smallholder farmers on the African continent it is even more so. During the recent African Agri Investment Indaba, many speakers cited that factors adding to investors shying away from agriculture on the African continent include; policy and political…
A new investment plan from the European Union (EU) would see the greatest influx of investments into Africa in the face of the continent’s expected population boom. The EU recently got the green light for its External Investment Plan, through which they want to gather about US$ 52.1 billion in trade…
A companion planting system for maize originally developed to keep stem borers and striga at bay, has also proved to be successful against the fall armyworm. Scientists from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe) in Kenya have found that existing push-pull companion planting technology could help smallholder…
The summer season is upon us and brings along heat, humidity and insects - not a good combination for stored grain. The Purdue Improved Storage (PICS) bag, is an airtight storage bag that provides a solution for smallholder farmers to extend the storage time for their seeds and crops. The…
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned livestock farmers and food producers globally to stop using antibiotics on healthy animals. “The WHO strongly recommends an overall reduction in the use of all classes of medically important antibiotics in food producing animals, including complete restriction of these antibiotics for growth promotion…
The 13th African Dairy Conference and Exhibition, known as AfDa, will be held in South Africa this year. ESADA, the Dairy Association of Eastern and Southern Africa, will host the event from 15-17 November at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg. The theme is Sustainable Dairying:…
