The South African agricultural industry must change its approach to potential crop and livestock diseases completely. This according to Prof. Darell Abernethy, dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Pretoria, during a congress by Croplife and the South African Animal Health Forum in Johannesburg. Abernethy was…
The two most important departments for the development and support of farmers, are without leaders. This is a crisis, says Afasa. The African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (Afasa) expressed its displeasure over the suspension of Mike Mlengana, director- general of Agriculture, Forrestry and Fisheries. The suspension of Mlengana -…
Mike Mlengana thinks a disagreement with Minister Senzeni Zokwana led to his suspension as director-general by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). Mike Mlengana’s refusal to sign documents for projects that had not been correctly tendered, and ongoing disagreement about issues in the fisheries department, could be reason…
South Africa’s department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has suspended its director general, Mike Mlengana while an internal investigation is pending According to a press release issued by the department, the suspension serves as a temporary measure and should not be seen as a ruling against Mlengana. Mooketsa Ramasodi, deputy…
The occurrence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8 virus) has been confirmed at two farms in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, bringing the number of infected farms in South Africa to four. According to a press release from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the state veterinarian has already placed …
Agri SA’s Christo van der Rheede says money for land reform is far too little to properly assist new farmers. “You won’t go very far with R2 000,” said Van der Rheede, deputy director of the organisation. He was speaking at the annual AVI Africa Poultry Conference. Van der Rheede,…
Jannie de Villiers, chief executive officer of Grain SA, said the maize price in South Africa will most likely worsen before it shows improvement. “It would require something dramatic like bad weather forecasts, a stronger rand or limitations on the finances of farmers to give it a boost.” He said – according…
Experts say a new strategy to decrease antimicrobial resistance in South Africa should not be seen as a witch hunt, but rather a way to ensure future generations also have access to antimicrobial substances. The strategic document against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)…
Senzeni Zokwana, South African Minster of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries recently told the news agency Reuters that government is considering using a strategic grain reserve as a possible cushion against shortages. He said it is a possibility the inter-ministerial committee should consider. CEO of Grain SA Jannie de Villiers, however,…
