Latest news with #GrainSA
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Foot and mouth disease successfully contained in two provinces
Three municipalities had their restrictions lifted but 76 farms in the Eastern Cape are still under quarantine. Foot and mouth disease has successful been contained in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen made the announcement on Friday, lifting Disaster Management Area (DMA) restrictions that had been in place in some areas for almost three years. Two municipalities in the Eastern Cape and one in Limpopo had their quarantines lifted, while restrictions in many other areas remained in place. DMA restrictions had been in place in the Kouga and Kou-Kamma municipalities since July 2024. Over 144 000 vaccinations were administered and the last cases were reported in September 2024. 'Extensive serological surveillance was done in the DMA to confirm that there are no undetected pockets of the disease,' stated Steenhuisen. The Vhembe municipality in Limpopo also had its restrictions lifted after having first been quarantined in September 2022. 'Cattle at 34 diptanks were vaccinated in two rounds of vaccination, with a total of 23, 024 vaccinations done,' explained Steenhuisen. Farms still quarantined At least 76 farms in the Eastern Cape which reported foot and mouth outbreaks remain under quarantine. 'Movement restrictions will remain in place on these farms until testing has confirmed the absence of viral circulation,' the minister stated. 'Testing will commence 12 months after the farms have been vaccinated,' However, milk from quarantined farms is allowed to be taken off the farms for sale after a single pasteurisation. Earlier restrictions mandated that double pasteurisation was required when the disease was still active. KZN still struggling KwaZulu-Natal is still under DMA restrictions as the department states foot and mouth disease is still active in the province. 'An abattoir in the Vryheid area in the DMA was designated to slaughter animals from premises under FMD restrictions. 'A system has been put in place to assess the level of biosecurity on individual farms, with the intention of aligning the control measures to the biosecurity risks,' said the department. Grain SA stated that basic biosecurity sanitation measures include washing hands regularly when dealing with animals, sanitising boots before and after entering enclosures and keeping feed rodent-free. NOW READ: Farmers 'on the edge' over crippling foot and mouth disease
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Slice of relief: Bread prices saved from rising in South Africa
The removal of external grain inspectors will prevent higher prices for bread and grain products, sparing South African consumers. South Africans will breathe a sigh of relief following an intervention by the Department of Agriculture to stop the price of bread from going up. This is after the department last week revoked the designation of Leaf Services, which, since 2016, has been responsible for carrying out inspections of grain, grain products, and bread sold in the country. Inspections Since 2016, Grain SA has actively opposed the implementation of Leaf Services' custodianship over the grain grading system, citing excessive costs to producers, estimated at tens of millions of rands annually, without sufficient consultation or methodological justification. Formal objections were submitted, legal advice was pursued, and a direct appeal was made to the ministry in 2024 to revoke the appointment of Leaf Services. 'Had the proposed R4-per-ton fee by Leaf Services been implemented in 2016 as intended, it would have cost our members more than R600 million to date. Seen differently, this revocation represents a R600 million saving for grain producers,' Grain SA said. 'Grain SA believes that going forward, stronger, principled partnerships between government, industry, and the private sector are essential to building a regulatory framework that protects public interest while fostering productivity, sustainability, and prosperity – both in rural and urban communities'. ALSO READ: Modest decline in essential food prices but savings not always passed on Cost of grain In revoking its designation, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, cited many of the same reasons echoed by the industry. The department said that the fees charged by Leaf would have added tens of millions of rands to the cost of grain and oilseeds. 'Considering the importance of the need to ensure that products, which amongst others form stable diet of South Africans, are compliant with mandatory regulations, the Department of Agriculture's Inspection Unit will take over the mandate of inspection of grain and grain products whilst a potent Private-Public Partnership inspection model as provided for in the Act is explored' Bread The DA said it has noted that national retailers have confirmed that Steenhuisen's actions will stop a price hike on loaves of bread. 'The contract that the DA leader has terminated would have allowed a service provider to charge retailers for an unnecessary testing service. And retailers would have had to pass this extra charge on to South Africans buying their bread'. The DA said it is engaged in fighting against the rising cost of living, 'in every way that we can, to lower prices for all people in South Africa'. NOW READ: Home affairs ID verification cost to increase by up to 6 500%
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
At South Africa's top farm fair, Afrikaners are divided over Trump
The 57th NAMPO Harvest Day, proudly presented by Grain SA and held from 13 - 16 May 2025 at NAMPO Park, concluded on a high note last week, reaffirming its position as the Southern Africa's largest and most influential grain-focused agricultural trade exhibition. Image: NAMPO/Facebook South Africa's premier agricultural fair recently showcased livestock, massive tractors and rows of pick-up trucks, a paradise for Afrikaner farmers but many are divided over President Donald Trump's claims of persecution. In trademark khaki shorts and caps, hundreds of farmers gathered at the annual Nampo show in Bothaville, some 220 kilometres south of Johannesburg, days after a first group of Afrikaners were welcomed into the United States as "refugees". "There is no doubt there is a genocide in South Africa," said maize farmer John Potgieter, echoing false claims made by Trump in attacks on the South African government and its policies. Pointing to a nearby monument listing the names of farmers killed in attacks since the 1960s, the 31-year-old insisted that the white Afrikaner minority was a target in the black-majority country. "Obviously, genocide is a broad word. It is not a mass genocide like the Holocaust," Potgieter conceded. A murder rate that averages 75 a day is among South Africa's grim statistics. Most of those who are killed are young black men in urban areas, even if attacks on farms are a harsh reality. Experts say about 50 farmers from all racial groups are killed annually. "It is much safer in a farm than in a town," said sheep and goat farmer Eduard van der Westhuizen. "There are problems, murders sometimes, but it is not targeted," he said, holding a shepherd's crook. "I won't go anywhere else, this is my country, I love it," he added. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ South Africa protested after 49 white Afrikaners flew out of Johannesburg earlier this month, accepting Trump's offer of refuge. "They can't provide any proof of any persecution because there is not any form of persecution to white South Africans or to Afrikaners South Africans," Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told reporters. President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed the claims of genocide as politically motivated, with the countries at odds over a range of policy issues. "There is no genocide here. We are beautiful, happy people, black and white working and living together," Ramaphosa said recently. The first group of Afrikaners from South Africa to arrive for resettlement listen to remarks from US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and US Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar Image: SAUL LOEB / AFP Resettlement 'a farce' Held in the heart of South Africa's maize, sunflower and sorghum farming district, this year's Nampo boasted over 900 exhibitors, including dealers in handguns and AR-15 automatic rifles. Gun sales had increased in areas that had seen farm attacks, said Willem Jordaan, head of marketing at Dave Sheer Guns. "It's important to have a means of self-defence," he told AFP. But Trump's invitation to white Afrikaners to settle was a "farce", said a farm equipment dealer with a silver moustache. For Danny Snyman, 18, Trump had raised awareness about the issues in South Africa, admitting though he had never heard of any murders, only "lots of stealing". The rookie farmer said he was attracted by opportunities in the United States. "I would definitely go overseas, maybe to tour and see what it is like and maybe go work there for a month or two, but yeah, I'd probably come back," he said. The US president's claims that white Afrikaners face "unjust racial discrimination" come with ties between Pretoria and Washington at a low over policy issues, including the war in Ukraine. Land ownership remains one of South Africa's most sensitive post-apartheid issues, with the white community, around eight percent of the population, owning more than three-quarters of farms. Afrikaner-led governments imposed the brutal race-based apartheid system that denied the black majority political and economic rights until it was voted out in 1994. AFP
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Attending Nampo as a farmer: Walking in President Cyril Ramaphosa's shoes
President Cyril Ramaphosa was spotted on the first day of the Nampo in Bothaville, not in an official capacity, but 'to do a bit of shopping' for his game farm in Limpopo. Taking on Nampo in 20-year-old shoes He said he didn't give much thought to his footwear before heading to the Nampo this year. 'I've had these shoes for 20 years,' he told Farmer's Weekly. Nampo Park spans 40ha, and visitors often walk 4km to 5km a day to see everything on offer. 'By day two, people usually complain about blisters, calluses and hot spots,' said sister Pircelle Smit from Lenmed, which provides free medical services at the event. 'We treat them with ointments and plasters.' According to Smit, Ramaphosa made a smart footwear choice. 'Worn-in shoes are best. Don't come to Nampo in brand-new shoes.' Farmer to farmer talks with Ramaphosa Dirk Strydom, Grain SA managing director, confirmed that Ramaphosa had informed them a few days before Nampo that he and his farm manager would be attending as farmers. 'We are going to talk farming matters with him, farmer to farmer,' said Strydom. He added that the sustainability of farming and how to create an environment where farmers can flourish would be among the topics discussed with Ramaphosa. 'Other officials, who are in contact with the president, will be visiting Nampo later this week when we will discuss policies,' he said. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Nampo Harvest Day kicks off, spotlighting the future of South African agriculture
Nampo Harvest Day, hosted by Grain SA, earmarked as the biggest agricultural show in the Southern hemisphere, kicked off in Bothaville in the Free State on Wednesda Nampo Harvest Day, hailed as the largest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere, officially commenced on Wednesday, welcoming industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. Hosted by Grain SA, the annual event anticipates a robust showcase of innovations, technologies, and collaborations designed to fortify the future of South African agriculture. Grain SA acknowledged the pressing global challenges that modern agriculture faces, ranging from climate change to the intricacies of interconnected food systems. The forthcoming Nampo Harvest Day, running from 13 to 16 May, will emphasise the importance of utilising global knowledge and innovations to empower local producers. The Nampo Harvest Day continues to uphold its reputation as a platform where local farmers can engage with international advancements while respecting South Africa's unique agricultural landscape. Grain SA said the event remained the one-stop platform for producers, agribusinesses, and service providers to connect, collaborate, and trade. 'Global Agriculture Locally' is not just a theme: it's a timely lens for South Africa's grain producers to view their role in a fast-changing agricultural economy," it said. "The exchange of ideas, technology, and practices across borders presents unprecedented opportunities for local farmers to increase their resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability. From climate-smart practices to precision agriculture, South African producers are part of a global network of knowledge - but with deep roots in local soil.' Grain SA said that food security, input costs, and production efficiency continue to dominate agricultural conversations. Nampo 2025 provides producers with the tools, technologies, and relationships they need to navigate this complex landscape. 'Whether it's cutting-edge machinery, climate-adaptive seed varieties, agri-finance services, or digital solutions, Nampo remains the platform where local meets global in real time.' Dr Dirk Strydom, managing director of Nampo, said that South African producers understand that they were not farming in isolation. 'What happens globally, whether it's innovation, trade flows, or climate patterns, affects what happens locally," Streydom said. "Nampo gives producers access to global agriculture in one location, with solutions they can use today. It remains the ultimate one-stop event for any serious player in the agricultural industry.' Francois Rossouw, CEO of Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), said that Nampo remained the single most important event on the South African agricultural calendar. 'It is not just a showcase of the latest technology and innovation; it is a place where relationships are built, businesses are formed, and the future of farming is discussed," he said. Rossouw added that for family farmers, Nampo was a vital platform to access the tools and networks they needed to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving sector. 'From mechanisation to digital solutions, and from policy dialogue to youth involvement, Nampo creates the space for farmers of all scales to find their place in the future of agriculture,' Rossouw said. He added that its significance to the sector lied in its ability to bring the entire value chain together: government, private sector, organised agriculture, and farmers, all in one place, sharing ideas and driving the industry forward. Theo Boshoff, CEO for the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA (Agbiz), said that Nampo was an opportunity both for the sector to showcase the latest innovations, trends, and technology but also to celebrate the role of the industry in the broader economy. 'It is therefore as much an opportunity for companies to market their products as it is to celebrate the sector at the time when the summer crop is being harvested,' he said. 'It brings together agricultural leaders, experts, and policymakers to discuss the burning issues facing the sector.' Visit
