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Agriculture News

Presidential panel member rejects final report on South African land reform

By: Reuters 23rd April 2019 President Cyril Ramaphosa's push to reduce rural poverty and quell growing anger over unequal access to property faces further delays after a member of an advisory panel on the issue on Friday rejected key aspects of the plan. Land ownership is a controversial and emotive issue in South Africa... →

Agri SA applauds Santam donation to drought relief fund

By: African News Agency 18th April 2019 Agricultural industry association Agri SA on Thursday applauded a donation from financial services group Santam to help drought-stricken farmers in the Northern Cape province. It said the drought in Sutherland had caused a devastating decline in the sheep breeding population and placed the town’s... →

Access to finance, training key to building SA’s black farming community – Afgri

By: African News Agency 15th April 2019 Access to finance, training and entrepreneurship are critical to building South Africa's black farming community, agricultural services company Afgri's subsidiary Lemang Agricultural Services has said. Lemang was specifically created to train, develop and mentor new era farmers and focuses on... →

Assembly-line extension ensures efficient automotive production

By: Cameron Mackay 12th April 2019 An assembly-line extension at a major automotive producer in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape, which included replacing the existing MOVITRANS contactless energy transfer system with the latest version, has allowed for more efficient assembly of vehicles on the production line, says... →

NEW HEIGHTS A height table needs to be built into the system, providing flexibility in changing the height of the stations as the requirement changes

Rooibos breaks into global chocolate market

By: African News Agency 10th April 2019 Rooibos has caught the notice of the chocolate industry as chocolatiers experiment with superfoods among new flavours ahead of Easter sales, the South African Rooibos Council has said. South African Rooibos Council spokesperson Adele du Toit said health-conscious consumers were looking for... →

Zimbabwe to start paying white farmers compensation after April

By: Reuters 8th April 2019 Zimbabwe is to start paying compensation this year to thousands of white farmers who lost land under former President Robert Mugabe's land reform nearly two decades ago, the government said, as it seeks to bring closure to a highly divisive issue. Two decades ago Mugabe's government carried out... →

Afgri creates strategic grains storage platform

By: Simone Liedtke 8th April 2019 Afgri Group Holdings (AGH) on Monday announced the creation of a strategic grains storage platform, in collaboration with a consortium of South African institutional investors, to enable growth of grain storage capacity in South Africa, and on the continent, to strengthen food security in the... →

In2Foods launches new agroprocessing facility at OR Tambo SEZ

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 5th April 2019 In2Food Group on Friday officially launched its new R400-million, 22 708 m2 factory, located on 3.5 ha of land on the northern precinct of the OR Tambo International Airport Special Economic Zone. In2Foods CEO Richard Cooper said this was one of the most diverse agroprocessing factories in the... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Dylan Slater
Gauteng Premier David Makhura

SME politics hindering civil projects, says consulting firm

By: Cameron Mackay 5th April 2019 Government efforts to motivate for the employment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for civil engineering and construction projects are causing difficulties for local infrastructure projects, says engineering and construction company Hyson Cells CEO and founder Sally Hall. “The... →

SME OPPORTUNITIES The most successful projects in which Hyson Cells has been involved are where women-owned teams have been employed

Uptick in demand for water-sector consulting

By: Cameron Mackay 5th April 2019 Despite subdued demand for consulting engineering services in South Africa, engineering consulting firm SRK Consulting South Africa has noted an increase in demand for the group’s water-sector consulting services. “As the country faces a backlog in water infrastructure maintenance, it must also... →

THE MATZIKAMMA MUNICIPALITY The Matzikamma municipality coastline was deemed suitable for land-based aquaculture farming

Digital initiatives can unlock value for South Africa – Accenture

By: Schalk Burger 4th April 2019 South Africa can unlock financial value and create meaningful outcomes for citizens in their daily lives by implementing key digital initiatives across government services and key industry sectors, professional services multinational Accenture said in a statement on Thursday. Research indicated... →

Durban set to become garden of eating through urban farming projects

By: African News Agency 4th April 2019 KwaZulu-Natal’s agricultural MEC on Thursday launched a programme to encourage urban agriculture – growing food gardens in small, open spaces, including city rooftops and townships. Urban farming is not new and is practised successfully in cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg - and... →

A tiny beetle is killing an urban forest and there's no solution

By: , Bloomberg 3rd April 2019 A black beetle the size of a sesame seed is killing South Africa’s trees, and no one knows how to stop it. After arriving from Southeast Asia about four years ago, the polyphagous shot-hole borer has spread a thousand miles across South Africa, from the eastern city of Pietermaritzburg, where it... →

South African poultry industry backs Namibia against dumping of chicken from Brazil

By: African News Agency 2nd April 2019 The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) said on Tuesday that it had noted with alarm that the insidious dumping of chicken from Brazil that plagues the local industry has also taken root in Namibia. Izaak Breitenbach, GM of SAPA's broiler division, said that it was increasingly clear that... →

Company leads in advancing sugar technology

29th March 2019 Offering a comprehensive service globally, with over 55 years of experience in the sugar sector, multidisciplinary engineering company Bosch Projects has recently developed the Lamella Clarifier, which uses a series of inclined plates for fast, effective particle separation and settling. “Our... →

NEW DEVELOPMENTS Bosch projects has developed the Lamella Clarifier, that uses a series of inclined plates for fast, effective particle separation and settling

Trade and Industry committee attends to industry challenges

29th March 2019 Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry is well aware that the South African sugar industry is experiencing various challenges as it has been engaging the industry for over a year to alleviate the plight of local sugarcane farmers. Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry... →

Photo by Creamer Media
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS The committee acknowledges that factors such as bio-fuels and cogeneration may require legislative changes

Industry asks government to intervene in crisis

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 29th March 2019 The sugar industry has called on government to act immediately to prevent the industry’s collapse, as the industry has lost R1.3-billion in only one season since the implementation of the sugar tax in April last year. South African Canegrowers’ Association chairperson Graeme Stainbank says... →

GRAEME STAINBANK The South African Canegrowers’ Association believes that government should acknowledge the damage that a sugar tax has had on the economy and the sugar industry

Commitment to transform rural communities

29th March 2019 Sugar producer llovo Sugar South Africa (Illovo SA) is firmly committed to transformation and building sustainable enterprises, especially in rural communities where it operates, says Illovo Sugar SA MD Mamongae Mahlare. “In the 2017 financial year, Illovo SA’s total economic impact on the local... →

Photo by Creamer Media
SHARING THE SWEETNESS Illovo Sugar South Africa makes an economic impact working with small retailers who sell its products within South Africa

New tech helps mills improve factory control

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 29th March 2019 During this year’s sugar season, centralised scientific organisation Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI) says South African sugar mills will use its Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) analytical system to improve their sugar production and profits. Through the SMRI-NIRS system installed at... →

Photo by Creamer Media
NEW TECHNOLOGY Sugar mills can use the SMRI-NIRS system to obtain information that can help to better understand and control factory processes

Vibrating equipment ensures effective sugar processing

29th March 2019 Owing to its large footprint in KwaZulu-Natal, vibration-equipment manufacturer Vipro Vibrating Products caters to the front-end, back-end and packing processes in the sugar processing plant. The front-end comprises the receiving and processing of raw material, the back-end the extraction of... →

PIETER UYS The vibrating equipment is made out of stainless steel, which decreases the chances of the sugar being contaminated

Egypt seeking to increase trade and investment ties with South Africa

By: Rebecca Campbell 29th March 2019 Egyptian Ambassador to South Africa Sherif Eissa has called for more bilateral trade and investment between his country, as well as closer political cooperation. He was addressing the recent South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) and Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) Trade... →

Sugar industry job loss claims are premature – Treasury

By: African News Agency 28th March 2019 The South African Canegrowers Association recently claimed that the sugar tax has cost the industry R925-million in the 2018/19 season, while the DA has claimed that over 1000 jobs had already been lost due to the tax. But National Treasury’s Mpho Legote said that any current estimates are... →

South Africa's 2019 maize crop seen down 16% on drought conditions

By: Reuters 25th March 2019 South Africa is likely to harvest 16% less maize in 2019 compared with the previous season after drought delayed plantings, a Reuters poll showed on Monday. The government's Crop Estimates Committee (CEC), which will provide its second production forecast for the 2019 crop on Tuesday, is seen... →

Company positive in flat construction market

By: Mamaili Mamaila 22nd March 2019 Despite there being no capital expenditure on projects in the construction sector, construction equipment supplier SANY GM Barry Owen says the company sees good opportunity to grow the SANY brand in a rather stagnant market. →

BARRY OWEN Over-capacitated construction sector under extreme pressure owing to oversupply

Growth strategy prompts innovation

By: Mamaili Mamaila 22nd March 2019 Technologies design, production and marketing company Tesmec Group is constantly improving, adapting and evolving its machine concepts. Owing to its pursuit of a “glocal” growth strategy, this means that Tesmec is global, but at the same time they have a local presence in strategic areas of the... →

GOING GLOCAL Tesmec seeks to expand local presence in the most strategic areas of the world

Bobcat positive ahead of elections

By: Mamaili Mamaila 22nd March 2019 While the fragmentation occurring in the mining and construction industries – where major contracts are being awarded to smaller empowered startups without major track records or even assets – is cause for concern, meaningful change is likely to emerge after the national election in May. →

EARTHFORCE Bobcat aims to meet the requirement for quality, lower-cost machines

Construction industry expected to grow over next three years

By: Mamaili Mamaila 22nd March 2019 Despite there being a slowdown in projects for the past few years in the construction industry, power generation equipment developer Himoinsa Southern Africa business development director Matthew Bell says the company expects positive growth over the next 12 to 36 months. →

BESPOKE DESIGNS Himoinsa is investing significantly in its generator and lighting tower designs for specific local requirements

Public-Private Growth Initiative identifies 18 ‘priority projects’ to unlock growth

By: Terence Creamer 18th March 2019 The Public-Private Growth Initiative (PPGI), an evolving sector-based collaboration between government and business, has earmarked 18 projects across various sectors of the South African economy for priority implementation in the coming months. Minister in the Presidency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma... →

Minister in The Presidency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma speaks, while Dr Johan van Zyl, Mpumi Mpofu and Roelf Meyer listen

The BioCycle aims to turn human waste into lubricants, biodiesel

By: Irma Venter 18th March 2019 The BioCycle plans to have completed the design of its first South African commercial scale facility by the end of 2020, to be followed by a global rollout of the technology, says MultiCycle director Marc Lewis. The BioCycle aims to develop commercially viable and scalable processes for the... →

Zimbabwe currency crisis robs Bell of record year

By: Irma Venter 18th March 2019 A new currency regime in Zimbabwe robbed Bell Equipment of a record financial year, giving the company a R87.4-million “ankle-tap that went straight to the bottom line”, said CEO Leon Goosen on Monday. “It happened right at the end of the year. It’s incredibly sad.” →

Agribusiness confidence index rises to 46 in the first quarter

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th March 2019 The Agbiz/Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Agribusiness Confidence Index has improved by four points to 46 in the first quarter of this year. This follows a decline in the last quarter of 2018 to 42, which was the index’s lowest level since 2009. →

Convicted fraudster seeks to stop parliamentary processes aimed at removing him as Icasa chair

By: News24Wire 18th March 2019 Fraud and money-laundering convict Rubben Mohlaloga will not only be fighting to stay out of prison but to also remain chairperson of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa). Sentenced to 20 years imprisonment last month but currently on bail pending an appeal of his... →

China a potential market for South African avos as other markets mull import bans

By: Simone Liedtke 15th March 2019 The South African avocado market faces the threat of a possible ban in future, particularly in the UK, which is reportedly getting rid of avocados on ethical grounds, says economist Gilberto Biacuana. The UK is the second most important market for South Africa’s avocado exports, which means that... →

Egyptian business giving great importance to South Africa

By: Rebecca Campbell 15th March 2019 The Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) was in full support of the policy of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to strengthen the country’s relations with the rest of Africa. “As a business community, we will endorse our Government’s role in Africa,” affirmed FEI African Cooperation... →

Photo by Egyptian Petrochemical Company
An Egyptian petrochemical plant

Equipment supplier to spread its wings outside South Africa

By: Mamaili Mamaila 15th March 2019 Industrial equipment supplier Vermeer will attend The Solar Show Africa 2019 which is combined with the 2019 Power and Electricity World Africa (PEWA) conference at the Sandton Convention Centre on March 26 and 27, 2019. →

SITES ON AFRICA Vermeer aims to penetrate the renewable-energy market in Africa

Grain conveyor solution system offered

15th March 2019 Heavy lift forklift supplier BLT World offers dependable solutions for specific problems at the transfer points of conveyor systems in bulk materials handling, such as grain in the food and beverage industry. “ScrapeTec Trading’s German-engineered products have been specially developed for the... →

Movement calls for Brazilian chicken import ban

By: Thabi Madiba 15th March 2019 Following the recall by a Brazilian producer of more than 450 t of chicken because of potential salmonella contamination last month, nonprofit trade advocacy movement FairPlay founder Francois Baird says the South African government has to ban Brazilian chicken imports until all producers can... →

Photo by Bloomberg
CHICKEN FOOT CHICKEN BASE Brazil now accounts for more than 60% of South Africa’s chicken imports, while local producers claim imports are not necessary at all

Topics In These Articles

Africa Waste Business Efficiency Financial Flow Projects Building Export Logistics Safety SECURITY Service System Technology LE South Africa Lubrication Engineers DIESEL ENGINES Engineering engineering news Engines Lifting Power rail Sensors Systems Testing transport Valves Bearings International ... more

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