New Agri Handbook on the horizon

Of interest to agricultural stakeholders is that the next edition of The Agri Handbook for South Africa is in the pipeline.
 
As visitors to this website and role players familiar with the previous editions know, the publication gives you an orientation to every part of the agricultural value chain. This is helpful whether you have inherited some land and want to see what the options are, or if you have been farming for years and are thinking of diversifying your operations. What does processing milk entail, for example, and who can help me? What should I consider before farming with fish?

The next edition will be released electronically, in modules, while we wait for the print arrangements to come together. As opposed to an in-house production, much here depends on arrangements and co-operation outside of the (small) company. Patience is involved - thank you so much - and the result is always worth it (find the comments and feedback under the The Book option on the website).

The first module will be an introduction along with a supplier guide. Chapters will include agriculture in the provinces, organised agriculture, labour and agriculture, agribusiness and an introduction to SADC (the Southern African Development Community).

These will be followed by:

• MODULE TWO: Agricultural training & careers
• MODULE THREE: Infrastructure
• MODULE FOUR: Mechanisation
• MODULE FIVE: Inputs
• MODULE SIX: Marketing & finance
• MODULE SEVEN: Services & technologies
• MODULE EIGHT: Agronomy
• MODULE NINE: Horticulture
• MODULE TEN: Forestry & industrial crops
• MODULE ELEVEN: Livestock
• MODULE TWELVE: Natural resource management
• MODULE THIRTEEN: Value add & processing
• MODULE FOURTEEN: National & international issues 

 This will begin happening in stages next month and into the early part of the new year. Watch this space!

Comments open for draft AgriBEE Sector Code

Members of the public and other interested parties have until 19 January 2016 to comment on the draft AgriBEE Sector Code.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), together with the AgriBEE Charter Council, on Monday announced the approval of the Draft Amended AgriBEE Sector Code, in terms of section 9 (5) of the BBBEE Amendment Act 46 of 2013.

The AgriBEE Sector Code was published on 20 November 2015 in the Government Gazette as Gazette Number 3 9429 (Notice 1 160 of 2015).

The Draft Amended AgriBEE Sector Code has been aligned with the Amended BBBEE Codes of Good Practice.

“Comments are invited from stakeholders and the general public on the Draft Amended AgriBEE Sector Code during the 60 days public comments period, which ends on Tuesday, 19 January 2016.  All comments must be submitted in writing. The contact details are provided in the Government Gazette Notice,” DAFF said on Monday.

The AgriBEE Charter Council and DAFF, together with the Provincial Departments of Agriculture, plan to engage relevant stakeholders during the 60 days public comments period.

Further details will be communicated to sector stakeholders through the provincial Departments of Agriculture.

The Amended AgriBEE Sector Code will be finalised in terms of Section 9 (1) of the BBBEE Amendment Act 46 of 2013 after incorporation of Public Comments.

It will become effective and applicable to all enterprises and business entities operating in the agricultural sector for purposes of measuring their BBBEE compliance annually.

The scope of application of the Draft AgriBEE Sector Code includes the primary production of agricultural products; the provision of inputs and services to enterprises engaged in the production of agricultural products; the beneficiation of agricultural products - whether of a primary or semi-beneficiated form; and the storage, distribution, trading and allied activities related to non-beneficiated agricultural products.

Find the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment pages on the Department of Trade and Industry's web pages here.

Source: SANews 2015-11-24

Matatiele farmer reaps reward of a dream come true

In David Mongoato’s office is a picture of himself as a small child, standing in a field of tall, ripe maize plants. He knew than that he wanted to be a farmer.

But the path to your destiny is seldom a straight one. David and his wife Selloane worked as teachers for many years before he was able to return to the rich Eastern Cape soil that he loves.

The Mongoatos now run a thriving 947-hectare maize farm near Matatiele, with the Drakensberg and the Lesotho border nearby. The farm was acquired by the State as part of its land reform process. But simply having access to land doesn’t make you a successful commercial farmer.

A loan from the Masisizane Fund allowed the purchase of crucial equipment such as farm implements, as well as providing start-up capital for them and 14 other emerging farmers in the area.

The fund is a non-profit company established from unclaimed shares by the Old Mutual Group in 2007, in consultation with National Treasury. It lends development finance, with a key focus on improving the sustainability of small businesses.

The Mongoatos’ farm is at the core of a partnership of 15 farms, which share some resources, such as silos where maize can be stored until prices improve. It’s a cluster of small operators whose enterprises are independently owned but they work together to get contracts. They can build a support structure of services to keep income in their community rather than having to contract and so lose revenue, explains David.

Caption: Daniel Chabana, field officer for the Masisizane Fund, with farmer David Mongoato.

Picture credit: Benna Carroll

So far it’s working well: “I’m running out of arable land so I may need to lease land to plant more maize,” he says. He adds that the farm now has a piggery and plans are afoot to reopen the dairy, which Mogoato says could initially provide much-needed nutrition to local schools. It could then become a commercial undertaking and the Mogoatos would have a fully-fledged mixed-farming operation.

But the farmer with a lifelong love of the land has a longer view than that: another tractor would help meet the farms’ year-round needs, from preparing soil, to planting, spraying, fire-prevention, maintenance of farm roads and so on. There’s clear evidence of the need for the latter, with many farm roads in the area virtually impassable in the wet summer months. Better roads mean better access to markets, with benefits to the entire community and the rural and national economy.

David adds: “Most of my profit goes to hiring a combine harvester and they’re in such demand that there’s a waiting-list. Getting finance for one would make sense. We’d hire it out and it would pay for itself pretty quickly, plus the farmers in the area would get their crops in quicker.”

He says growing the farm is a challenge, but one he loves: “This doesn’t feel like hard work when you’re doing what you love. It’s demanding, but there’s the thrill of planting and making what you planted grow, and seeing it turn into something you can sell. It provides for you and your family and creates jobs and dignity in your community.”

Does he miss teaching? In a way, he hasn’t left it: he mentors other emerging farmers in the area and he has a succession plan in place for the family, with the couple’s four children working on the farm during holidays, donning gumboots and learning to farm.

David can treasure other pictures now: one of him surrounded by nearly 800ha of maize, all of it taller than him; others, of the harvested maize pouring into a silo like amber rain, of workers weighing and sealing bags of it, ready to be trucked away.

Daniel Chabana, field officer for the Masisizane Fund, says: “The 15 farms working together gives them some economic muscle and voice in local affairs. It’s completely in line with the fund’s mandates of employment creation, poverty eradication and reduction of inequality and contribution to economic growth.”

The Masisizane Fund has a strong focus is on women, youth and the disabled, particularly in economically depressed parts of the country: rural and peri-urban areas and townships. It was established as a Section 21 company following the closure of the Old Mutual Unclaimed Shares Trust in August 2006 and aims to contribute towards the economic transformation of South Africa.

Source: Meropa Communications

Water licenses and Obama's ultimatum

On Friday, the Afrikaans agricultural magazine, Landbouweekblad, carried the article "Hoe moet boere vir droogte aanpas, minister?" [How should farmers adapt to drought, minister?] The piece was written in response to the national government's lack of interest to assist the country's commercial farmers in the face of the worst drought in over three decades. 

Various permissions are required to use the water on one's own farm, be it to irrigate or to build a dam, an accepted intervention to hold back water for a time of need. At the time of the National Water Act of 1998, it was envisaged that managing agencies in nine catchment areas would be set up to process applications for licenses. In 2015, only two are in place. And it takes years after making an application to receive a water license! One appreciates the indignation caused by the casual ministerial comment and how keenly farmers feel the effrontery of it all.

Apart from the standard risks any person faces when what is important is in the hands of bureaucracy --  intransigence and incompetence -- the commercial farming community faces an additional hurdle, the ambivalence with which it is viewed by government. On the one hand, it is an ideal job creator, earner of foreign exchange and the reason for the country's food secure status. On the other hand, the continued skewed land ownership ratio is a blot on the government's performance sheet. Reasons vary and we won't go into them here; suffice it to say that none of this helps the country much.

Also in the news on Friday (carried by news sources beyond these shores, like the Guardian and BBC), an ultimatum issued by President Obama to the South African government: resolve outstanding issues blocking agricultural imports from the USA or have your duty-free farm trade status with the USA suspended. This is part of AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), a measure first implemented under the Clinton administration to encourage economic growth in Africa.

The Department of Trade & Industry duly calmed the waters, giving assurances that it is on track to meet all eligibility criteria to remain a beneficiary of AGOA for the next 10 years. South Africa has been given six weeks. While it is true that there have been biosecurity reservations to muddy the process (bird flu in two major US poultry-producing states), and while there is indeed a major balancing act to ensure that the country's home industry is not unfairly disadvantaged, we hope that the matter is in better hands than the ones dispensing with water licenses. 

Denmark to provide critical skills transfer and assistance to address SA’s water shortage challenges

Press release

As part of Denmark’s continued and strengthening partnership with South Africa, next week’s (2-4 November) Danish Royal Visit to South Africa will coincide with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the country and South Africa’s Ministry of Water and Sanitation which outlines a long term partnership on policy and technology development and knowledge exchange.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Danish Minister for Environment and Food, Mrs Eva Kjer Hansen together with South Africa’s Minister for Water and Sanitation, Mrs Nomvula Mokonyane will sign the MoU at the official Grand Opening of the Danish Business Expo to South Africa on Monday, 2 November 2015 at Turbine Hall in Newtown, Johannesburg.

The MoU will be formalised around major current and future challenges in the South Africa’s water supply and the subsequent areas where Denmark can provide strong partnership particularly around policy incentives for water conservation, management practises and water efficient solutions.

According to the Embassy of Denmark in South Africa, the MoU will play an instrumental role in establishing cooperation on all key stakeholders levels in the water sector from Ministerial, Catchment Management Authorities to Water Boards and Municipal.

Comments Ambassador Trine Rask Thygesen of the Embassy of Denmark in South Africa: “The objective of this MoU is to establish a framework for cooperation between South Africa and Denmark in the water sector. This public partnership will also pave the way for private sector companies in both our countries to partner on smart solutions for water resource management.”

“Danish companies are global market leaders when it comes to water efficiency and waste water management. As such, these Danish companies have solutions that match South African needs. Therefore, I believe there is great potential for South African-Danish partnerships in the water sector, which will help alleviate the current challenges and ultimately uplift communities and create jobs and growth in both our countries.”

The MoU between Denmark and South Africa will include:

• Integrated water resources management;
• Water treatment technologies and management;
• Water and resource efficiency;
• Groundwater protection and management;
• Water governance and science;
• Capacity Building and institutional strengthening

This will serve as a platform for long term cooperative relationship on the basis of equity and mutual benefit.

The Royal Visit of Crown Prince Frederik will also coincide with a business promotion consisting of 47 Danish companies spanning three key industry sectors: Energy, Water & Environment and Agriculture & Food.

HRH the Crown Prince, Minister Hansen and Minister for Business and Growth, Mr Troels Lund Poulsen together with the business delegation will visit both Johannesburg and Cape Town; a considerable time will be spent strengthening commercial relations between Denmark and South Africa.

Denmark and South Africa have a longstanding relationship,  and there are several  completed and ongoing activities where Denmark are working together. Several Danish companies working in the water sector has been operating in SA for many years creating solutions and employment, also in terms of export to the region.

The agenda for both Johannesburg and Cape Town offers numerous workshops and networking opportunities for both Danish and South African businesses spanning the three sectors.  Furthermore, the agenda will include:

• Grand Opening addressed by the Crown Prince in Newtown Johannesburg and Grand Dinner in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape
• Whole day water seminar where  water experts from the SA water sector and water experts from the Danish companies will discuss challenges and solutions
• Visit to Soccer City Stadium where Danish company Grundfos has delivered advanced pumping solutions for water distribution and drainage
• Visit to Drankenstein Water Treatment Plant where Danish Water Utility VCS has worked with capacity building on operations optimization; and
• Social Innovation event in Cape Town where young talent will showcase their innovative ideas and entrepreneurship.

For regular updates on the impending Royal Visit go to the Facebook page Embassy of Denmark in Pretoria or follow the Twitter feed #RoyalVisitSA.

Throwing the book at them thar stock thieves

Additional criminal charges are to be laid in terms of the Animals Protection Act against four men arrested on 15 September 2015 who have already been charged with stock theft.

"I was horrified at the photographs in the docket, which clearly show that the animals had been brutally attacked with an axe. Their tendons had been slashed,” said Senior Inspector Andries Venter. "Two knives and an axe were found in the possession of the accused. Over and above the actual theft is the sheer violence, horrific cruelty and the vicious savagery which took place. The suffering of these animals is beyond description.”  

"The term 'stock theft' is misleading. It is horrific animal abuse. It is a violent crime and the public needs to be made aware of exactly what is involved. The suffering of the animals being hacked alive is unimaginable. Their deaths are slow. There is wanton cruelty involved and we are relieved that the authorities are finally recognising this,” stated Venter who confirmed that evidence will be provided to the Prosecutor in support of the State’s application to oppose bail.  

The NSPCA is a member of the National Stock Theft Forum as well as the LivestockWelfare Coordinating Committee (LWCC) and has a direct interest in strengthening the case against the accused by including animal cruelty charges -- and to pursue the same legal route against anyone involved in stock theft. In the past, our judicial system has focused only on the theft angle in the majority of such cases. 

From an NSPCA press release

Stock theft

Stock theft goes further than hamper the profitability of the stock farmer. It also interferes with the Government's land reforming process and the empowering of the emerging farmers. For each stock-theft incident at a commercial farm, three similar incidents take place amongst emerging farmers. What makes it worse is that many emerging farmers suffer a total loss of stock – kraals are literally emptied. These farmers have to resort to other means to care for their families and to make a living.

Throw the book at them thar thieves! 

Find statistics for stock theft on www.redmeatsa.co.za.

The serious business of eating in the city

You are probably aware of how dependent people in the city are on supermarkets (and other shops) and the supply chains for their food. And as we head towards a scenario of 75% of the earth's population being city dwellers, urban agriculture certainly assumes high priority. 

Urban agriculture is the answer to urban poverty and food insecurity. It strengthens the resilience of the urban food system, says the RUAF Foundation, and enhances access to nutritious food for the urban poor as well as providing income. It also reduces a city's ecological footprint.

We have followed the work of South African organisations like ABALIMI BEZEKHAYA, which works with between 50 and 200 community projects and up to 3 000 micro-farmers and gardeners every year. We have followed stories of vertical farming. And this evening, we come across a very innovative venture: the growing of food underground in former bomb shelters!

Growing 33 metres below the streets of London is a host of greens and salad leaves -- watercress, radish, chives and so on. A hydroponics system means less water is used than usual; the food-miles are minimal; there is no agricultural run-off; crops can be grown all year round in a pesticide-free environment ... the advantages go on. Find more information about GROWING UNDERGROUND here. 

Urban agriculture is discussed in The Agri Handbook in one of the opening chapters. Find it here.     

Denmark’s crown prince and business delegation to visit SA to promote business relations

Press release for the Embassy for Denmark

The Embassy of Denmark in South Africa is proud to announce that His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark together with Denmark’s Minister for Environment and Food, Mrs Eva Kjer Hansen and the Minister for Business and Growth, Mr Troels Lund Poulsen will be visiting South Africa from 2-4 November 2015.

 The Royal Visit will coincide with a business promotion consisting of an estimated 45 Danish companies spanning three key industry sectors: Energy, Water & Environment and Agriculture & Food.

From 2 to 4 November 2015, HRH the Crown Prince, Ministers Hansen and Poulsen and the business delegation will visit both Johannesburg and Cape Town; a considerable time will be spent strengthening commercial relations between Denmark and South Africa.

Denmark and South Africa have a longstanding relationship, which span numerous sectors including energy. In fact, the two governments are party to the South African – Danish energy programme, which seeks to promote the use of renewable energy in South Africa. As a result, a substantial number of wind farms in South Africa currently feature Danish wind energy technology.

The strategic cooperation between South Africa and Denmark will be further expanded during the visit with officials signing an agreement (MOU), formally launching a partnership to exchange knowledge and solutions related to the water sector.

The royal visit and business promotion

Comments Ambassador Trine Rask Thygesen of the Embassy of Denmark in South Africa: “The Danish Royal Visit and underlying business promotion presents an excellent opportunity to further promote Danish and South African partnerships, and create new business and trade.  We look forward to an exciting and fruitful royal visit and business promotion.”

The agenda for both Johannesburg and Cape Town offers numerous workshops and networking opportunities for both Danish and South African businesses spanning the three sectors.  Furthermore, the agenda will include:

• Grand Opening addressed by the Crown Prince in Newtown Johannesburg and Grand Dinner in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape;
• Visit to Tsitsikamma in the Eastern Cape Province which will become home to a wind farm with 31 Vestas wind turbines, each with a height of 94m and a capacity of 3 MW;
• Visit to Chalala Piggery in Darling in the Western Cape, introducing one of South Africa's most successful pork producing groups;
• Visit to the Cape Town biomass steam plant, operated by "Sustainable Heating" which is fuelled by waste from sawmills, pallet manufacturers and other industries attached to the facility;
• Social Innovation event in Cape Town where young talent will showcase their innovative ideas and entrepreneurship. Companies will also have the opportunity to showcase their inspiring CSR activities; and
• Danish companies specialising in wind energy will also attend the annual WINDABA conference.

For regular updates on the impending Royal Visit go to the Facebook page Embassy of Denmark in Pretoria or follow the Twitter feed #RoyalVisitSA.

SA and US agree on protocol to address agricultural issues

Press release: Department of Trade and Industry (South Africa)

South Africa and the United States veterinary experts met on Monday, the 14th of September 2015, in Pretoria, to take stock and advance the technical discussions on the Animal Health issues related to the imports of poultry, pork and beef meat from the United States.

On the poultry protocol and poultry certificate the Vets from the two sides agreed as follows: “The parties agree to finalize a protocol for export of poultry meat and day old chicks based on surveillance compliant with the OIE chapter on Avian influenza in a specified area, biosecurity measures in specified premises and traceability of products to slaughter establishments. South Africa and the United States will finalize terms and conditions and the USDA FSIS poultry certificate for export by 15th October 2015 to enable contracting and shipments of US poultry exports to entire RSA prior to the end of 2015.”

The poultry protocol will provide the technical basis to allow for the continued import of poultry from the non-affected areas in the US in the event of renewed outbreaks of avian influenza.

In addition the meeting agreed that: "South Africa shall implement the TRQ of 65 000 metric tons as agreed in the Paris meeting in June 2015 as soon as possible with a view to completing the administrative justice process that needs to be followed by the end of 2015".

On beef, South Africa had already removed the ban on the imports of US beef and had communicated this officially to the US. The vets from the two sides agreed on the technical issues required to expedite the issuing of the necessary animal health certificate to allow for the import of beef meat from the US.

On pork, while the South African market for pork is open to the US, the US two sides shared information on the technical requirements for the importation of cuts that were of interest to the US.

South Africa also discussed some issues where it had an ongoing interest in exporting its own animal products to the US, including beef and ostrich meat. The US provided South Africa with information on the technical requirements for access to the US market and agreed to expedite and facilitate the process towards obtaining the necessary health certificates for these products.

South Africa remains fully committed to the full implementation of the letter and spirit of the agreements reached in Paris between the US and SA in June on the issues related to AGOA. The process is irreversible.

Find the poultry, beef, ostriches and pork chapters in The Agri Handbook for overviews of those sectors. Also of interest are biosecurity and export.

Pulling wool over eyes?

In an intriguing piece of news in the UK's Guardian this evening: a merino sheep spotted wandering near Canberra caused an emergency call to go out! In answer to the Australian Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) came the country's champion shearer, Ian Elkins, and five staff.

Above: The merino sheep. Photograph: RSPCA/AFP/Getty Images

There are other incidents of sheep evading the shearers for years. In neighbouring New Zealand, one such individual escaped detection for six years. Its fleece came in at 27 kgs and won it an audience with that country's prime minister.


For information on farming sheep for wool in South Africa, find the Sheep - wool chapter in The Agri Handbook or go to the Cape Wools or National Wool Growers' Association (NWGA) websites.

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/02/champion-shearer-overgrown-sheep-rspca-canberra-australia

MEDIA RELEASE 2015 AMT Annual Agricultural Outlook Conference: Bigger and Better

Are you ready for a thought provoking experience? The annual AMT Agri-Outlook Conference is not to be missed and remains one of the highlights on the South African agricultural calendar.

The 15th AMT Agri-Outlook Conference will be held on 29 September 2015 at the CSIR Convention Centre in Pretoria. The theme of this year’s conference is: A technological, political, resource and market perspective on Agriculture in South Africa Post 2020. Producers, producer organizations, banks, universities, government officials, agribusinesses and the media will attend. This is an excellent annual networking opportunity for all role-players in Agriculture.

Some of the renowned speakers will be Dr Roelof Botha (GOPA Group), who will give an economic outlook for 2016, and Prof Hannes Rautenbach (Head of the Department Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology and Associate Professor at Pretoria University), who will discuss the climate outlook for 2015 and 2016. Prof Rautenbach will give his opinion regarding rain expectations for the coming summer. Another excellent speaker, JP Landman will present his political outlook for 2016 and Dr Antony Turton will give an overview of the implications of water policy reforms on agricultural productivity in South Africa.

During the panel discussion the opportunity will arise for interaction between the audience and experts in their field. This year the panel of experts will focus on investment decisions and agriculture. Issues that will be discussed include what farmers invest in, reasons for agricultural investment in foreign countries and how investment can be attracted to the South African agricultural sector.

Opportunities for South African agriculture arising from an increasing global food demand will be the topic of Mr. Japie Snyman (Seaboard Overseas Trading and Shipping). The Global and SA Outlook for the supply and demand of grains, oilseeds and livestock 2016 will be addressed by Dr Herman van Schalkwyk (CEO: AMT).

The day’s programme will be concluded with a ”spitbraai” with guest artists and a prize draw. To be able to listen, experience and interact with this experts register now for this conference. If you are interested in attending this conference, or want to sponsor, exhibit or advertise in the conference programme, contact Lorinda Rust at +27 (0)79 506 5268 or email finance@amtrends.co.za.

”Our endeavour is to provide you with a thought provoking experience that will help you to shape your business or organisation for future challenges.” – Dr Herman van Schalkwyk, CEO: AMT. 

REGISTRATION ENQUIRIES: Lorinda Rust at 079 506 5268 or e-mail finance@amtrends.co.za

Until the cows come home

We have been following the plight of British dairy farmers as they try to draw attention of consumers to what is happening in their country. Today there is a video clip of farmers walking Holstein dairy cattle down the aisles in a supermarket to make their point: if milk continues being sold at the present price in supermarkets, in six months there won't be any dairy farmers in the UK. Their protests appear to be drawing some response, as witnessed by the article (and video) Milk price row: ALDI and Morrisons vow to raise the price paid to farmers.

Five editions of our The Agri Handbook (previously the National Agricultural Directory) have been published, spanning just over a decade. The introduction to the dairy chapter includes the number of dairy farmers in South Africa. It has been a cause of great concern to watch this number plummet over the years. It appears especially iniquitous when the price the public pays for raw milk is 66% more than what is paid to the farmer!

Farmers are caught between a rock and a hard place, as the expression goes. They are price takers, both in terms of inputs and in terms of what they get from their produce. How much can they be squeezed? How much pressure can they absorb?

What to do when, for various reasons, your product can be sourced from elsewhere at a lower price than what it costs you to produce it? Apart from produce-something-else/give-up, options usually offered include better technology, greater efficiency across the value chain, and going bigger (economies of scale).

The major challenge in this country is that at a time when veterans are packing up, we are trying to establish new black farmers on the soil. Not only this; we have also made dairy products one of the country's action programmes in our 2015 Industrial Action Policy Plans (IPAPs). Watch this space ...

Find the two dairy chapters in the livestock and processing sections. Another chapter of immediate relevance is Goat & sheep dairy.

A technological, political, resource and market perspective on agriculture in South Africa post 2020

The theme of this year’s AMT Annual Agricultural Outlook Conference is: A technological, political, resource and market perspective on agriculture in South Africa post 2020.

 This is the 15th conference and will be held on 29 September 2015 at the CSIR Convention Centre in Pretoria. Photos appearing here are taken from their website, where you can also find maps, directions and other useful information.

 Producers, producer organizations, banks, universities, government decision makers, agri businesses and the media will attend. This is an excellent annual networking opportunity for all role-players in Agriculture.

Three of the renowned speakers will be Dr Roelof Botha, who will give an economic outlook for 2016, and Prof Hannes Rautenbach, acclaimed climatologist (who will discuss the climate outlook for 2015 and 2016. Rautenbach’s presentation will be of great value especially to the producers and is considered as a highlight on the conference programme. Prof Rautenbach will give his conclusions regarding rain expectations for the coming summer, in order for producers to plan for the new season plantings. Another excellent speaker, JP Landman will present his political outlook for 2016.

A panel discussion will be held where the opportunity will arise for interaction between audience and experts in their field. Nation in Conversation sponsored by SENWES will be one of the topics of the panel. Other role-players in African Agriculture such as Drs. John Purchase, Theo de Jager, Anthony Turton, Messrs. Daniel Gad from Omega Farms in Ethiopia, Andrew Makenete (AFASA), Pitso Sekhoto, Antois van der Westhuizen (John Deere) and Dirk Hanekom (AgriAllAfrica) will be participating. Agribusiness Globalization - Focus on Opportunities in other countries for producers and agribusinesses, as well as investment opportunities in SA Agriculture will be addressed. The water situation in South Africa will be discussed by Dr Anthony Turton and technology in Agriculture post 2025 will also be one of the topics addressed by the panel members.

 Opportunities for SA Agriculture from increasing global food demand will be the topic of Mr. Japie Snyman (Seaboard Overseas Trading and Shipping) and The Global and SA Outlook for the supply and demand of grains, oilseeds & livestock 2016 will be addressed by Dr Herman van Schalkwyk (CEO: AMT).

The day’s programme will be concluded with a ”spit braai” with guest artists and a price draw. If you are interested in attending this conference, or want to sponsor, exhibit or advertise in the conference programme, contact Ms. Dalene Coetzer at 00276 188 6533 or e-mail liaison [at] amtrends.co.za.

Article by Aginfo

Living with other people's narratives

This past week a certain country disputed the findings of a United Nations report, saying it rejected the UN's "narrative". It is not the name of the country that is important here, but this: if you lived in that country, what would your response have been been?

Considering its frame of reference (or narrative), every country or person's actions make complete sense to them, and they are horrified that others do not agree with them.  It is not unusual for them to add then to the existing narrative: "People are biased" and "They are out to get us". 

There is a scripture in Proverbs which could be in any religion's holy writ. "A person's report is believed until another comes and gives his side". I remember once asking my mother for a toy pistol while we were waiting in the cashier's queue at a supermarket. She shook her head, and so I summoned what appeared  to be a fair argument. The whole family was aware that I no longer possessed one because my brother had thrown mine out of a moving car. My mother turned to me: "Yes, but you then took your brother's gun to the tool shed and demolished it".

Case dismissed.

In most cases, a narrative does not have a sequence of events which can be reviewed by a mother or a judge, followed by an indisputable verdict. It may have a context, but a look at the chronologies of two conflicting narratives will leave you scratching your head. The two parties could well be living in different universes!

Narratives are hard to correct. And some times, when a narrative has been revised, we wonder what really occasioned the change of heart and dig for motivations other than the explanation offered. This is especially true if it was our own narrative that the person abandoned.

One narrative in agriculture looks at what the population will be in such-and-such a year, usually 2030 or 2050, and then adds what is needed to accomplish feeding such a world (genetically modified crops etc). Now enter what someone has called the "competing narrative". Philip Lymberry in his book Farmageddon shows that we already produce enough food for what we'll need in such-and-such a year. Vast quantities, however, are siphoned off to prop up "factory farming" or "intensive meat producing facilities" (what you call it depends on your narrative). One could also point to the food we throw away, an astonishing 11.3 billion tonnes per year according to Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General. Making changes to our food-chains would make a difference to the 900-million people suffering food shortages now, never mind the year such-and-such.

Having differences in opinion is inevitable. "The further one travels [into multiplicity and away from unity], the less one really knows", sang the Beatles in a song based on the Tao te Ching.

In my experience, the only time a narrative is hushed, though, is when there is a moment of understanding of what it is like for the other side. Have we really considered the anxiety caused by having an empty stomach, and not knowing where the next meal will come from? Or being hungry while also being responsible for a family who depend on you for food? If we don't experience this sort of co-feeling, what are our narratives really worth?

Corn and viciss -- wot?

There is a lovely word in the English language -- vicissitude. It is a noun and refers to the way things change. Speak of the vicissitudes of life and your audience will listen intently, aware that your tidings might mean some adaption is required in their world.

We know that much is uncertain in life, and agriculture is no exception. A year ago, this country was expecting one of its greatest maize (corn) harvests yet. It is one of the posts still read at least once a day on this website in 2015. Now, this year, as a result of a drought, we are warned about possible food price rises.

Across the world in the USA, the news this morning is that gains made in corn futures are being capped by crop-friendly weather. The weather means ideal conditions for developing corn and soybean crops, so we expect to pay the farmer less for our food. This weather comes after three months of heavy rains. Today, in the same broadcast, we read about a 50-mile stretch (80 kilometers) along the Illinois River closed to traffic after that state's wettest June on record. The weather is one reason that US wheat is currently more difficult to market in Egypt and other countries, being $50 per tonne more expensive than wheat shipped out of the Black Sea region (Russia and the Ukraine).

How does the person of the soil cope with the Weather in running the business? Risk management and Commodity trading are two of the 180 chapters in The Agri Handbook which cover strategies of adapting to the vicissitudes of farming.

We apologise for the delay in printing the next edition of the publication, and have made the 5th edition a free download (see here). Much patience is required each time the publication comes together -- it is not an in-house project and some of the processes are outside of our control. We are confident that the edition to come will delight you, once again. 

Half a century

The Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) is the umbrella body representing those with an interest in range and pastures. Of course, that covers a wide range of disciplines including ecology, botany, zoology, range and pasture science, animal science, soil science and genetics.

Our very best greetings to them: the organisation turns 50 this month! The annual congress will be held at the Royal Agricultural Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from the 21 - 23 July.

The GSSA is relevant to several chapters in The Agri Handbook, including Rangeland/veld, Forage & pastures and Seeds & seedlings.

Find the review of The Agri Handbook which appeared in the GSSA's African Journal of Range & Forage Science here.

Gauteng farmers sought for Nguni cattle breeding project

The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has called on aspirant famers to apply for participation in the Nguni cattle breeding project. 

In partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation, the Nguni cattle breeding project involves the loaning of 30 pregnant Nguni heifers and one bull to emerging black farmers for breeding. After a period of five years, participating farmers are expected to return the same amount of cattle, offspring or an equivalent rand value. This is the second intake of qualifying black farmers who want to form part of the project in Gauteng.

The main objective of this project is to reintroduce the Nguni breed of cattle into the province in large numbers, focusing specifically on emerging black farmers. The project is aimed at empowering these farmers with livestock farming skills and developing their entrepreneurship abilities. The Nguni cattle have been chosen specifically because they are an indigenous breed and can thrive under difficult conditions. 

• The criteria to participate in the project includes providing proof of being South African citizens and residing in the Gauteng province. 
• The applicants must be “black” as defined in the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003.
• Any applicant already owning cattle, must provide a health certificate issued by the local veterinarian with particular emphasis on the bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis status of the existing herd.
• Applicants must provide proof of having access to land suitable for cattle farming, a minimum of 500 hectares in size, with sufficient grazing as per carrying capacity of the land and the expansion of the herd.
• The aforementioned land must be improved with basic infrastructure - for instance, perimeter and internal fences, suitable handling facilities, adequate water facilities, dipping facilities, feeding equipment for supplements and camps

Applications close on 30 June 2015. Farmers can visit www.gdard.gpg.gov.za for application forms.

Source: SA News

Read overviews of Indigenous breeds, beef cattle and animal improvement & breeders in The Agri Handbook.

Skills Handbook Pre-order Edition Now Available

The need for training was where the Agri Handbook had its origin. The call centre of which I was a part received several calls for hydroponic and other agricultural training. I set off to do some research since agriculture was not featured in the early skills publication ... and that research became the National Agricultural Directory and, after four editions, The Agri Handbook for South Africa!

Find the Agricultural education & training and Careers & employment chapters in The Agri Handbook, two of the 180 chapters in the publication.

Good news for those in charge of Human Resources and training at agri-food (and other) companies is that the new Skills Handbook pre-order edition is now available. Read about it here. Some agricultural trainers like Buhle Farmers Academy, Agri Skills Transfer and Skills for Africa have a presence in that publication, as well as in both the current and forthcoming editions of The Agri Handbook.

Western Cape announces search the top agri professionals

The Western Cape, one of South Africa's nine provinces, this week officially launched the search for the 2015 Farmworker of the Year. The event is co-sponsored by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Shoprite.
 

Winners will be chosen in 11 categories, including best irrigation specialist, agri-processing specialist and technical operator. Over 6000 agriculture employees have entered the competition since 2002. Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, said the competition was aimed at honouring excellence in the sector.

“Like we celebrate the heroes of our sportsfields, we need to celebrate the heroes of our economy. Our agri-professionals play a vital role in ensuring that the produce delivered to our shelves, and to outlets across the world, is of a very high standard. They are helping us to grow this sector , and together, we are building a sustainable economic future.”

Jerome Thompson, the 2014 winner, said he has had a busy schedule since he scooped a top prize last year. Thompson beat out stiff competition from more than 1 000 entrants in 15 regions.
Part of his win included a cash prize and an overseas trip. Thompson, a manager at a farm in Kanonkop, will be travelling to France to meet with agri-businesses in the next few months.

“Since I won the competition, residents in my area recognise me and people turn to me for advice. My goal is to start my own business. I also want to make a real difference in my area and would like to start a centre for development,” said Thompson.

This year regional competitions will be held in the following areas:

• Berg River
• Breede Valley
• Horsemanship
• Durbanville
• Elgin, Grabouw, Vyeboom, Villiersdorp
• Franschhoek
• Hexvallei
• Klein Karoo
• Koup (Central Karoo)
• Langeberg
• Olifants River
• Overberg
• Piket-Bo-Berg
• Stellenbosch
• Swartland
• Witzenberg

The first regional winner will be announced at a ceremony in Witzenberg in July. The provincial competition, where the overall winner will be announced, takes place in November.

Labour and agriculture is one of the opening chapters in The Agri Handbook. Find it here.

Rhodes and skelms in Africa

Note for our international readers: "skelm" is a South African word meaning "scoundrel" or "worthless fellow".  

Were you aware that the month of May is "Africa Month"?

Government has been encouraging South Africans to participate in the celebration, which will culminate in Africa Day on 24 May at the Mamelodi Campus of the University of Pretoria. President Jacob Zuma will lead the celebrations under the theme: “We are Africa – Opening the doors of learning and culture from Cape to Cairo”.

A previous figurehead who used the phrase "Cape to Cairo", of course, was Cecil Rhodes who dreamt of a British empire spanning the length of Africa. Lately one would be hard pressed to find a proponent of the erstwhile colonialist and skelm, whose statue at the University of Cape Town was pooed on and became the subject of national invective before being bundled out of sight.

It is easy, with hindsight, to see what was inappropriate and politically incorrect. At the time, Rhodes was feted and had all sorts of honours bestowed on him. Streets and buildings, universities -- even a country (Rhodesia) were named after him. He was regarded as self-made man, hero and so on (unless you were indigenous, black or boer, and had had your land pinched). It makes one wonder what figures of today, currently praised, will be vilified tomorrow. What figures, put down today, will have their star rise -- perhaps after they have gone?

Empires rise and fall, and have done so for as long we have records, and probably before that too. They bring with them legislative frameworks and economic systems. They build roads and other infrastructure and leave us speaking the same language, sometimes literally. They bring a sense of purpose and unity, including for those who oppose the empire. And then the empire is replaced, sometimes by another one. Sometimes its passing is also the passing of the common denominator that held its opponents together and that those who were united now fall out amongst themselves. It can be that what follows the empire is nothing to really write home about, and those left behind mill around, dimly aware that something significant has passed. But we digress.

“The unity of the continent is driven through the African Union’s programmes to attain its vision as articulated in the Agenda 2063.  The continent guided by its citizens will strive for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa,"says the press release. "The Africa month theme 'We are Africa' is a declaration and celebratory statement of pride, which fosters inclusivity from all role-players and stakeholders".

We need campaigns and programmes like this. We need to know that there is more in common than what separates us. When this is accepted, we can move on to earning a living and putting food on our plates, something we have made a grim enough task for half the people in this country and some 795 million people globally.

Find the chapters on Africa and Food security in The Agri Handbook.

What value do you place on agricultural land?

What do you like about farm life? Most people would mention the sense of space and sky that stand in contrast to the urban living conditions.

The Afrikaans agricultural weekly magazine Landbouweekblad reported last week that the world's largest cattle farm is on the market. Situated in Southern Australia, Anna Creek Station is 23 000 km² (12 427 mi²), the size of South African province KwaZulu-Natal. For anyone who enjoys that feeling of space that farming gives, this one definitely takes the cake!

It made us wonder about the general size and price of agricultural land on the globe, and we found that The Irish Farmers Journal had just done some homework in this regard. Drawing on information from the World Bank, it compared land in countries mostly from the developed world, with two agricultural heavy weights thrown in. The comparisons make for interesting reading.

Look at the names of these countries for a moment: USA, Brazil, Argentina, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Where do you suppose agricultural land would be the most expensive? The cheapest?

Where would you expect more of the country's land to be given over to agriculture?

Land price ranked reads: UK [€10,840 per acre], Ireland [€9,890 per acre], New Zealand [€9,410 per acre], France [€5,790 per acre], Argentina [€4,000 per acre], USA [€2,600 per acre], Australia [€1,020 per acre], Brazil [€778 per acre].

An acre is just over 0.4 of a hectare. You will have an idea of the average price in your own country (if it isn't listed here), and be able to work out where you would fit on the list.

Land given over to agriculture: UK (71%), Ireland (66%), Australia and France (53%), USA (51%), New Zealand (50%), Argentina (49%), Brazil (33%).

There is a correlation between price and the size of the country. The money you pay for land also depends on its fertility ... and profitability. In the USA, the price of agricultural land varies for the following activities: wine region, €14,900/acre; corn, €8,288/acre; dairy, €4,845/acre; wheat belt, €4,526/acre; cotton, €2,969/acre; sugarcane, €2,370/acre; pastureland, €2,245/acre.

Find a sample of South African prices here. The question of agricultural land value in South Africa is a loaded one. Commercial agriculture has pointed out repeatedly that enough land passes through the market every year for government to have met its land reform target long ago. The problem is: if word got out that government was about to buy land on this scale, the price of agricultural land would go through the roof! And so our land reform progresses slowly, chugging along ...

Let's just hope this was not too high a price!  

Future farmers: a coming of age

Last Monday, Judy Stuart dropped by to collect some Agri Handbooks for her Future Farmers Foundation. It is interesting that one of the most successful initiatives in agriculture comes from a person who was denied the opportunity to study agriculture as a career (women weren't accepted at agricultural colleges back then). Judy was accompanied by Noku Mweli, who is being groomed to take over.

The project looks to qualify farm managers capable of running commercial operations (and hopefully own their own farm one day). Some of the candidates have no qualifications at all and are armed solely by a passion to farm.

There is no need to recruit as Future Farmers receives many calls from young people looking for help. Candidates are placed on commercial farms, where work expected of them includes menial tasks like cleaning calf pens and washing dairies. Theory courses (part time study) are sourced, and after two years in which time the candidates have proved themselves, opportunities for overseas internships are sought. All the costs are provisionally paid for, and once they are earning candidates pay back this sum (the money is then used to fund the next batch of candidates).

You can imagine the skills these candidates have at the end of this time, not least the technical know-how and communicative skills! Not surprisingly, almost all find management positions on their return. Many continue to study part-time courses, usually business or financial ones.

For farm owners, at the very least, having a youngster on the farm means an extra pair of hands to help. Indeed, included in some of the Future Farmers stories are incidents where farmers take a much needed holiday because the interns are proving themselves to be so capable! But it goes further. Giving a young person (who has been screened) the opportunity to learn the ropes on your farm is also an investment in the future -- theirs and the country's.

Today is 27 April, a public holiday in South Africa remembering the first day, 21 years ago, that all citizens in this country took part in democratic elections for the first time. Like any coming-of-age, there are numerous possibilities and potentials, but none go anywhere good if we have not attended to something as basic as our food security.

If you are able to offer an internship on your farm and would like to know more, visit the website or drop an email to redcow [at] telkomsa.net.

Agriculture stakeholder engagement meeting to address attacks on foreign nationals

Press release by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (DAFF), 22 April 2015

Business Sector stakeholders and Organised Labour had a constructive meeting with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, General Bheki Cele, to discuss and share ideas to address the recent attacks on foreign nationals in various parts of the country. The meeting also aimed to find ways to prevent the violent attacks from spreading into the farming communities where foreign nationals are also employed.

Present at the meeting were representatives of the following sector stakeholders:

• African Farmers' Association of South Africa (AFASA)
• The Building and Allied Workers Union of South Africa (BAWUSA)
• Agri South Africa (AgriSA)
• National Emergent Red Meat Producers' Organisation (NERPO)
• National African Farmers' Union (NAFU)
• TAU SA
• South African Sugar Association (SASA)
• Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA)
• Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz)

The meeting highlighted the root causes of the attacks some of which are not based on facts such as the perception that Immigrants take jobs and do not contribute to the economy of the country.

Phile van Zyl of the ZZ2 farms disputed the perception that farmers employ foreign nationals for cheap labour. He said that the farm employs a diverse group of workers and promote the attitude of consideration of all groups of people.

General Bheki Cele condemned the attacks on foreign nationals saying, “It’s embarrassing; it’s dehumanising; it’s humiliating; it doesn’t matter how much pain we feel as South Africans but we can’t act this way on the human race. We can’t do what our people did to the foreign nationals in Durban".

The resolutions are as follows:

1. The organisation  of  a  summit which  will  gather  other  government  departments and stakeholders to  further  discuss  issues related  to  labour,  working  condition,  the employment of foreign nationals and other issues in the farming sector. 
2. The leadership of the country need to promote diversity and show the people of South Africa that we cannot tolerate other groups on conditions. 
3. DAFF  must  deliver  on  the Agricultural Policy  Action  Plan (APAP) and  the  National Development Plan (NDP) to fast track job creation and help prevent bad perceptions on foreign nationals. 
4. Rural Development Programmes must be revitalised.

The department will embark on a series of Public Participation or Imbizo following a directive from the Presidency for all government departments to address xenophobic attacks in their sectors.

Poultry in the mountains

We are in the process of finalising all chapters for the next edition of The Agri Handbook, and have been checking details in the poultry chapter this morning. We'd like to share information on a poultry enterprise that impresses us.

Mikon Farms is based in Mpumalanga, an area which lies to the east of the country (thus a name which means "where the sun rises").

• The broiler houses have open sides, which allows the chickens to "breath the cleanest, freshest mountain air". 
• They have constant daylight from the sun (no artificial lighting) which ensures that "they rest well and grow the way nature intended". 
• The drinking water in the broiler houses is pure spring water, "caught at the source".
• The feeds are 100% hormone free.
• The abattoir is on the same property as the broiler houses, and so "transfers between are short, humane and stress-free".
• The abattoir is not fully automated and a lot of the processing is done by hand, so "there is attention to detail which machinery [doesn't] achieve". 
• As a result of the operations, there are jobs for 150 staff.

Amidst all the arguments about why intensive meat operations are necessary, an enterprise like this is as fresh as the Mpumalanga air. It sounds like the sort of operation from which a "conscious" meat eater would source poultry, doesn't it?

Delivering a sustainable approach to wine farming

By: Daneel Rossouw, Divisional Head: Agriculture Nedbank Limited

The opportunity

Wine farming remains a lucrative business in South Africa, with an abundance of grape production catering for both the local and global markets.  Sustainable business practices are increasingly vital to the continued profitability of the modern wine farming practice, faced with a warming climate and pressure on soil quality and water among other challenges.

Combined with the impact of labour unrest and wild fires over recent years impacting the harvesting of grapes, it is concerning that total export volumes for the South African wine industry fell 18% year-on-year in 2014, according to statistics released by VinPro, the service organisation representing 3 600 South African wine producer and cellar members, at the 2015 Nedbank VinPro Information Day.

In contrast, local sales remained buoyant, however, achieving growth of 5%. The importance of the wine industry to the South African economy cannot be underestimated.

According to the published figures available from A profile of the South African wine market value chain 2013, published by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Western Cape wine industry alone provided employment to almost 256 908 people in 2012, and contributed R14, 214 billion to the region’s economy between 2008 and 2012 – equivalent to approximately 7.3% of the total Gross Domestic Product of the province.

Sustainable agriculture

It is therefore essential that wine farmers are advised how to maintain profitability. One area that can have a positive effect is the use of new technologies, to better deploy new scientific farming practices, such as analysis of soil profiles, checking pH levels, map moisture levels and limiting wastage by identifying sub-optimal soils. By adopting a strategic and scientific approach, it may be possible to mitigate against potential problems in the future.

Environmental and social consciousness needs to form a part of every decision that is made. This includes establishing relationships with responsible stakeholders who are committed to socio-economic and environmental  development. Nedbank's specialist agricultural unit has ploughed R8,3 million into WWF-SA’s Sustainable Agriculture Programme since 2012, to help market and pilot sustainable agricultural practices on SA farms.

This has helped the bank to better understand and deliver on the social and environmental risks and opportunities facing the sector, leading to tailored and appropriate funding solutions for primary production (horticulture, livestock and field crop) and secondary enterprises (agribusinesses and agri-processing).

It also inspired the launch of Nedbank@Work, a service tailored for farm employees, which offers secure self-service banking, financial education and staff wellness days, and is linked to Nedbank’s Greenbacks rewards programme. 

Insurance is the final non-negotiable component of truly sustainable farming, particularly given the unpredictable and fast-changing weather patterns that now exist across the country as a result of climate change.

Innovative thinking and investment is crucial to sustain farming in present day conditions in order to consistently grow the best quality crops with the highest possible yields, all in the most sustainable manner.

Wine is one of the 180 chapters of The Agri Handbook.

Eucalypts and other honey bee forage plants – what you can do to help our honey bees

By Mbulelo Mswazi and Carol Poole, South African National Biodiversity Institute 

A recent study undertaken by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) revealed that gum trees, certain crops, indigenous trees and shrubs, flowering plants in suburban gardens and even roadside wildflowers or weeds are all critically important to South Africa’s indigenous honey bees.

Forage availability and accessibility for honey bees are a large constraint to beekeepers in South Africa, who manage colonies to harvest honey and provide a pollination service to growers of pollination-dependant crops.  A lack of good quality and variety of forage can lead to unhealthy honey bee colonies that are more vulnerable to pests and diseases.  This, in turn, can lead to insufficient pollination of our important agricultural crop flowers, leading to decreased yield or quality of the food crop.

You can thank a pollinator for one out of every three bites of food you eat, as insect pollinators are needed for approximately 35% of all food production globally. Honey bees pollinate about 50 crops in South Africa, and this pollination is worth approximately R10,3 billion per annum.

A major factor in the decline of honey bees around the world is a lack of good forage plants that provide the nectar (carbohydrates) and pollen (protein) sources that bees require for their nutritional health. It is therefore critical to plan and conserve agricultural and peri-urban landscapes to support our honey bees.

Eucalypts as an important forage resource

Beekeepers in all South African provinces are dependent on gum trees as a forage resource for their honey bees.  Eucalypts provide a reliable pollen source and nectar flow, and can be used almost year-round as there are several species that flower at different times of the year. 

Some Eucalyptus species can invade land and have a negative impact on biodiversity and water resources, or cause erosion and increase fire risk.  However, because gum trees have value (for timber, for bees, for shade, for aesthetics, for protection from wind and dust, etc.), they should only be cleared where they are invading and have a negative impact.  This is why the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations (promulgated under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (NEMBA) in 2014) are nuanced for eucalypts.  Landowners should know that not all gum trees need to be removed.  Eucalyptus species within streams (riparian areas), protected areas or ecosystems identified for conservation purposes should be removed.  Six species are listed in the Regulations as “Category 1b” invasive species, which means they must be ‘controlled’ even outside riparian areas.  But even these listed gum species can be demarcated by permit as Category 2 Invasive Species under NEMBA as bee-forage areas, wind-rows or woodlots.  Several gum species that are important bee forage (e.g. Eucalyptus sideroxylon and E. gomphocephala) are not listed in the Regulations and therefore could be maintained or planted in non-riparian areas.  

Find more information on the NEMBA regulations and specific eucalyptus species on www.invasives.org.za

Beekeepers are highly dependent on eucalyptus and the unconsidered removal of eucalyptus will cause a serious shortage of honey bee forage.  Landowners who have eucalyptus on their land are encouraged therefore carefully consider any removals and make sure they are adhering to the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations.

What we can do for honey bees

Crops, indigenous plants and weeds are also critical to South Africa’s honey bees.  All landowners play an important role in providing habitat and forage for our managed and our wild honey bees.  In addition to the eucalyptus ideas above, you can help in any of the following ways:

• Allow beekeepers access to utilize the forage resources on your land, and work with the beekeepers to make sure hive sites are secure and inaccessible to vandals.
• Protect your natural vegetation through incorporating pollinator habitat or forage concerns into agricultural best practice, land-clearing authorizations (i.e. do not unnecessarily clear virgin land), Environmental Impact Assessment processes, and landuse planning policies and tools.
• Consider planting indigenous bee-friendly plants when gardening, planting wind-breaks or when rehabilitating after a development (e.g. dam walls, road berms, etc.)  Be sure to plant plants that are appropriate to your specific area. Check with your local nursery for subspecies or varieties that occur locally to avoid invasive problems or hybridisations with veld species in the vicinity.
• Honey bees will visit any flowering crop (especially the very attractive ones like canola, lucerne, sunflowers, citrus) as well as other flowers and weeds. Please take this into account when spraying chemicals – consult the label and adhere to its instructions. Be careful of chemicals when gardening too.
• Encourage public land planting programmes (e.g. under power lines, along road verges, or urban greening programmes) to consider bee-friendly plant species first.
• Consider planting complementary crop plants (such as lavender or basil) or fodder crops (like clovers or vetch), or rotate land with legumes crops, as these are all important honey bee forage. 
• Do not unnecessarily spray or remove weeds that are attractive to bees (e.g. wild radish, cosmos, etc.)

Indigenous plants that stand out as important forage for South African beekeepers include: fynbos plant species (e.g. ericas, proteas and mesembs), several species of aloe (including mountain aloe), shrubs like wild asparagus and buchus, and indigenous trees such as Vachellia karroo (sweet thorn) and Ziziphus mucronata (buffalo thorn). Many regional vegetation types (like Karoo, Bushveld and indigenous forest) are also critical.

Ø    Bee-friendly policies and practices can help increase agricultural production or yield.

Fewer honey bees could mean fewer crops, less food and more poverty for humans. We all have a role to play in looking after this vital insect.   Enjoy planting and protecting forage resources for our honey bees!

Lists of bee-friendly plants are available on www.sanbi.org (search “bee-friendly”)

For more information, please contact Mbulelo Mswazi on m.mswazi@sanbi.org.za

Photo credits:

1.    Landscape showing bee forage (Tlou Masehela).  This image shows eucalypts in the foreground, canola in the middle and fynbos on the mountain in the background – all critical forage resources important to beekeepers in the Western Cape.
2.      Eucalyptus flowers (Mike Allsopp).
3.     Beekeeper in fynbos.  A beekeeper monitoring his colonies located in an indigenous forage area.