The 13th South African Agricultural Outlook Conference kicks off at 7h45 on Monday, 30 September.
Find the final programme here.
See you there!
Friday 27 September 2013
Tomorrow and 55 000 people
Tomorrow, Saturday 28 September, is World Rabies Day. It is part of an international drive to educate the public on rabies and its prevention.
After being bitten by a rabid animal a human has a short window period in which to receive vaccination. There is no cure after this window period. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States of America, more than 55 000 people die from rabies every year, mostly in Africa and Asia.
Read what the CDC says about preventing rabies.
Rabies is covered in the Biosecurity chapter of The Agri Handbook. Also of relevance is the chapter on Animal Health.
After being bitten by a rabid animal a human has a short window period in which to receive vaccination. There is no cure after this window period. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States of America, more than 55 000 people die from rabies every year, mostly in Africa and Asia.
Read what the CDC says about preventing rabies.
Rabies is covered in the Biosecurity chapter of The Agri Handbook. Also of relevance is the chapter on Animal Health.
Agricultural Trade between the USA and South Africa
Ever wondered what happens in agricultural trade between the USA and South Africa?
Last week [16 - 19 September] saw a visit to South Africa by delegates from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). South Africa's Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) reports on the Agribusiness Trade Mission (ATM) and gives stats of US-SA trade.
- The US imports fruit, wine and beer, raw cane sugar, tree nuts, fruit juice and planting seed from South Africa.
- It exports the following: dairy products, poultry meat and products, planting seed, tree nuts, wheat, vegetable fats and oils, live animals, sugars, processed fruit and vegetables.
Last week [16 - 19 September] saw a visit to South Africa by delegates from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). South Africa's Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) reports on the Agribusiness Trade Mission (ATM) and gives stats of US-SA trade.
Wednesday 25 September 2013
Decisions and long-term views
Everybody makes a wrong decision, sooner or later. Be it in a personal capacity, in a marriage or in government, this is true. The thing is: can you recognise when this has happened? Can you make a U-turn, recover and improve?
This is more likely to happen where there is openness, where an "opposing narrative" is looked at and accommodated -- even if it is not accepted. If the other point-of-view is not even allowed to surface, then it is unlikely that any introspection will happen, certainly not any honest introspection.
In his book The Long View: Getting beyond the drama of SA's headlines, JP Landman looks at eight issues that have a bearing on whether this country has what it takes to be successful. That South Africa is an open society is one of the things going for it.
Two of the issues mentioned work against the country.
Find the interview with JP Landman on www.polity.org.za or click here.
This is more likely to happen where there is openness, where an "opposing narrative" is looked at and accommodated -- even if it is not accepted. If the other point-of-view is not even allowed to surface, then it is unlikely that any introspection will happen, certainly not any honest introspection.
In his book The Long View: Getting beyond the drama of SA's headlines, JP Landman looks at eight issues that have a bearing on whether this country has what it takes to be successful. That South Africa is an open society is one of the things going for it.
Two of the issues mentioned work against the country.
Find the interview with JP Landman on www.polity.org.za or click here.
Monday 16 September 2013
South African fresh produce markets and an AGM
In 1945 South Africa had 130 markets, with some 600 market agencies operating in those markets across the country. Some form of representation was required for these agents and so the Institute Market Agents of South Africa (IMASA) came into being.
Over the past few years IMASA has experienced a renewal with a "younger breed of market agents who with a series of Presidents, began to reshape the organisation and give it new direction". Project Rebirth, voted into motion in 2011, has made a significant impact on the fresh produce markets scene and has contributed towards real improvements which are currently taking place on some markets. The IMASA press release continues: "... it’s created an awareness of the gravity of many of our markets amongst significant role-players and has helped to bring these role-players together in a united forum to address the many issues facing markets. IMASA has handed over Project Rebirth to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) but continues to make its contribution on the Steering Committee which is now driving Project Rebirth".
The 68th IMASA AGM will be held on the 19th and 20th of this month. Market Agents from across the country are invited to attend the conference and also to partake in industry matters as well as current affairs.
For more information kindly visit the IMASA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/IMASA/386536428138721 and follow them on Twitter @IMASouthAfrica.
Find The Agri Handbook overview of South Africa's fresh produce markets here.
Over the past few years IMASA has experienced a renewal with a "younger breed of market agents who with a series of Presidents, began to reshape the organisation and give it new direction". Project Rebirth, voted into motion in 2011, has made a significant impact on the fresh produce markets scene and has contributed towards real improvements which are currently taking place on some markets. The IMASA press release continues: "... it’s created an awareness of the gravity of many of our markets amongst significant role-players and has helped to bring these role-players together in a united forum to address the many issues facing markets. IMASA has handed over Project Rebirth to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) but continues to make its contribution on the Steering Committee which is now driving Project Rebirth".
The 68th IMASA AGM will be held on the 19th and 20th of this month. Market Agents from across the country are invited to attend the conference and also to partake in industry matters as well as current affairs.
For more information kindly visit the IMASA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/IMASA/386536428138721 and follow them on Twitter @IMASouthAfrica.
Find The Agri Handbook overview of South Africa's fresh produce markets here.
Agriculture business update: September 2013
The AgriBusiness Price Update provides insights in agricultural input prices (irrigation tariffs, fertilisers, fuel prices, electricity tariffs and minimum wages) and output prices (for selected grains, livestock and vegetable commodities). It concludes with the overall agricultural industry performance (terms of trade and gross income discussions).
Click here to view the document.
Courtesy: Standard Bank Agribusiness
Click here to view the document.
Courtesy: Standard Bank Agribusiness
Monday 9 September 2013
A solution to the devastation in the USA, EU bee population to be found in Africa?
Bees are the most important pollinators of crops and, according to Agricultural Research Council (ARC) staff, responsible for one out of three mouthfuls of food you will eat today.
The reader will appreciate the high consternation in Northern Hemisphere countries where high losses to commercial honeybee colonies continue. Pesticides and herbicides and changing weather are among reasons given, but a chief cause is the varroa mite and viruses associated with it.
There might be some good news though, from the annual conference for beekeepers in South Africa (2013 BeeCon). Peter Neumann, professor of bee health at Bern University in Switzerland, told the audience that African honeybees appear to be resistant to the mite, and more research might prevent further losses in the north.
Beekeeping is one of the nearly 180 chapters in The Agri Handbook. Find contact details of role players and overviews here.
The reader will appreciate the high consternation in Northern Hemisphere countries where high losses to commercial honeybee colonies continue. Pesticides and herbicides and changing weather are among reasons given, but a chief cause is the varroa mite and viruses associated with it.
There might be some good news though, from the annual conference for beekeepers in South Africa (2013 BeeCon). Peter Neumann, professor of bee health at Bern University in Switzerland, told the audience that African honeybees appear to be resistant to the mite, and more research might prevent further losses in the north.
Beekeeping is one of the nearly 180 chapters in The Agri Handbook. Find contact details of role players and overviews here.
Friday 6 September 2013
How can South Africa do better with its agricultural exports?
If South Africa is to reach her goal of 5% economic growth and more, it is vital that she has an agricultural sector which is in good shape, and that she proceeds from there. Agriculture is primary. On its own it might not draw many wolf-whistles for contribution to the country's GDP, but the case becomes pretty convincing when you take a look at how much depends on agriculture. The obvious lead-on's are food manufacturing, food retailing and the labour absorption in rural areas. And the context is much wider when you consider all the input industries (fertiliser, irrigation, animal feeds etc), financial industries and so on.
South Africa's Agricultural Trade Competitiveness Desktop Diagnostics continues: "The South Africa’s agricultural sector has found lucrative markets for their products in many parts of the world. Its contribution to South Africa’s total exports is approximately 13 percent. However, the globalisation coupled with trade liberalisation of the last decades did not spur export-led growth or significant diversification of the country’s agricultural export basket. Consequently, technological advances and market access are not sufficient to unlock the gains from trade that highlights the importance of indigenous supply-side constraints in trade development".
Find this study, done by the North-West University for the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), here.
South Africa's Agricultural Trade Competitiveness Desktop Diagnostics continues: "The South Africa’s agricultural sector has found lucrative markets for their products in many parts of the world. Its contribution to South Africa’s total exports is approximately 13 percent. However, the globalisation coupled with trade liberalisation of the last decades did not spur export-led growth or significant diversification of the country’s agricultural export basket. Consequently, technological advances and market access are not sufficient to unlock the gains from trade that highlights the importance of indigenous supply-side constraints in trade development".
Find this study, done by the North-West University for the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), here.
Monday 2 September 2013
Wish you could foretell the future?
Ever wished you knew what was in store? The mistakes you would have avoided! Imagine the opportunities you could have grabbed with two hands!
It should be no surprise that the most popular blog on this website has been Predictions for agriculture 2013, even though it was written way back in January.
The AMT Agri Outlook event happens at the end of this month (September). Apart from being a time to network with other role players, it is an attempt to take stock of where we are at and what the future holds.
The day begins with a presentation by the president of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, entitled "Talent: The Common and Essential Denominator Across the Value Chain of Nutrition". Several other experts give their predictions before brunch at 11h30. Panels and discussions taking us into the afternoon deal with minimum wages, land reform, climate and the global outlook on grains, oilseeds and livestock.
The day closes with a traditional South African spit braai (barbeque).
Find the complete programme and the booking form here.
It should be no surprise that the most popular blog on this website has been Predictions for agriculture 2013, even though it was written way back in January.
The AMT Agri Outlook event happens at the end of this month (September). Apart from being a time to network with other role players, it is an attempt to take stock of where we are at and what the future holds.
The day begins with a presentation by the president of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, entitled "Talent: The Common and Essential Denominator Across the Value Chain of Nutrition". Several other experts give their predictions before brunch at 11h30. Panels and discussions taking us into the afternoon deal with minimum wages, land reform, climate and the global outlook on grains, oilseeds and livestock.
The day closes with a traditional South African spit braai (barbeque).
Find the complete programme and the booking form here.
Do we have the people that will command the economy 15 years from now?
Being equipped and ready for your day includes having people on board who know what they are doing. This is true, whether one is talking of one's family, community or business, or the country at large.
Agriculture is where South Africa must see its investment in the future. Advancing economies like Russia, China, India, Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico are built on a healthy agricultural sector. Do we have the people with the skills to command the South African economy in 15 years' time? This is the question asked by Prof Mohammed Karaan, dean of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University, two weeks ago. Find the report of his speech here.
NOSA Agri, who have just exhibited at the Harare Agricultural Show in Zimbabwe, say that training for farmers in Africa is crucial. To make their case, they point to facts like:
The Agri Handbook lists agricultural education providers in South Africa as well as potential careers in this (and related) sectors. A useful reference is also the Skills Handbook website.
Agriculture is where South Africa must see its investment in the future. Advancing economies like Russia, China, India, Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico are built on a healthy agricultural sector. Do we have the people with the skills to command the South African economy in 15 years' time? This is the question asked by Prof Mohammed Karaan, dean of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University, two weeks ago. Find the report of his speech here.
NOSA Agri, who have just exhibited at the Harare Agricultural Show in Zimbabwe, say that training for farmers in Africa is crucial. To make their case, they point to facts like:
- The United Nations estimates that the global population will reach 9.2 billion by 2050.
- Food security is expected to become an increasing global issue.
- Agriculture is by far the world's largest business; the livelihoods of approximately 2.6 billion people, 40% of the world’s population, depend on it.
- 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land is lying unused in Africa.
- There is a substantial need for African farmers to produce more food for Africa and for the world.
The Agri Handbook lists agricultural education providers in South Africa as well as potential careers in this (and related) sectors. A useful reference is also the Skills Handbook website.
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