Farmer's Weekly

Farmer’s Weekly is an agricultural magazine based in South Africa, targeting the whole of Southern Africa. The magazine is committed to advancing the interests of the region’s farmers and its agricultural industry by serving as a mouthpiece for the industry and by keeping its readers informed of the latest developments in the agricultural sector.

Global issues and local pressure

Farmer's Weekly

Fixing South Africa's food waste problem starts with the cold chain • Despite producing enough food to feed its entire population, South Africa loses more than 10 million tons of food every year, with extreme summer temperatures and gaps in cold storage driving massive losses across the supply chain. Expanding temperature-controlled infrastructure is critical to preserving fresh produce, protecting food security, and keeping prices affordable for millions of people.

All things sustainability • 30 September to 1 October, Sandton Convention Centre

New fungicide is boosting grape yields

BRICS countries must push for an ambitious agricultural trade deal

Surplus grain is cheap food's lifeline, but farmers must profit • South Africa's grain surpluses helped to keep food prices low, but farmers must remain profitable enough to sustain production. Efficient exports were therefore crucial to maintaining this balance. Lindi Botha reports.

Outdated NBT rules are risking leaving SA's grain farmers behind • South Africa risks losing ground to global competitors as outdated regulations restrict access to New Breeding Techniques. Updating the rules and modernising laws could unlock higher crop yields and lower food prices. Lindi Botha reports.

SA can become a fruit superpower by 2050 if key constraints are removed • Baseline 2026 report states that South Africa can become a global fruit superpower by 2050. However, achieving this requires prioritising export quality and resolving critical port, energy, and logistical bottlenecks. Clayton Swart reports.

Developing a farm business plan: Part 1 • In this first part of a two-part series by Cobus du Plessis, discover how to build a bankable farm business plan. Learn to evaluate feasibility, structure operational strategies, assess risks, and secure financing to transform your agricultural vision into a viable reality.

Fresh produce supply eases July prices • Increased winter harvest volumes across fresh produce markets led to widespread price drops in July, particularly for tomatoes and carrots, stabilising overall supply despite firm cabbage prices, says Hendus Janse van Rensburg.

Gardeners, prepare for a possible El Niño this summer • A dry summer does not have to mean a failed garden; it simply requires you to cover the soil, to water slowly and deeply, and to not waste a drop, writes Shane Brody.

Language could harden barriers faced by black farmers • South Africa, united in its diversity, must promote multilingualism, but it must be subjected to a balance of needs and preferences of the population as a whole, writes Dr Sifiso Ntombela.

Namibia's agricultural future lies beyond beef • Dr Salomo Mbai, director of the Agricultural Trade Policy Institute at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, spoke to Clayton Swart about the opportunities he believes could shape Namibia's next agricultural frontier.

Livestock and lifestyle meet at Nampo Alfa • Nampo Alfa has established itself as an important platform for the livestock industry, bringing together a wide range of breeds, breeders, and other role players in the livestock value chain. What started primarily as a livestock-focused expo has grown into a broader agricultural, hunting, and outdoor lifestyle event. Nampo managing director Dr Dirk Strydom spoke to Annelie Coleman.

Royal Show marks 175 years with a...