One of South Africa’s largest citrus farms are celebrating their second solar-versary. Their 265.98 kWp roof-mounted solar plant, that is made up of 806 x 330Wp Canadian Solar Photovoltaic panels, was commissioned in June 2019 and has been harnessing the sun’s energy and converting it to electricity to power the farm ever since. Joubert en Seuns is a well-established farming … [Read more...]
Methane emissions urgently need to be reduced
A Global Methane Assessment released today by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) shows that human-caused methane emissions can be reduced by up to 45 per cent this decade. Such reductions would avoid nearly 0.3°C of global warming by 2045 and would be consistent with keeping the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal to limit … [Read more...]
Methane gas a threat to SA’s climate commitments
In the wake of government’s indication that it intends to adopt gas as a transition fuel to get to renewable energy sources, the Green Connection has released a damning, and eye-opening research report on the effects of methane gas (CH4) emissions – the second largest cause of global warming – on the environment. The report reveals that the use of gas poses a real threat to … [Read more...]
Pollinating organic skill among SA smallholder farmers
The South African Organic Sector Organisation (SAOSO) in collaboration with Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) South Africa (SA) has launched South Africa’s first Ecological Organic Agriculture Pollinator programme. The programme aims to support smallholder farmers to gain recognition for their organic practices and enables them to “pollinate” organic knowledge to support … [Read more...]
Growing pride in African indigenous crops
Nandi Mkwanazi’s agricultural journey started in her grandmother’s garden where she learnt how to grow spinach, tomatoes and chives and rear a coop of Nguni chickens. In 2018 she re-established a 10x12 meter garden in her grandmother’s back yard to feed her family. Seeing the success of her work she quickly expanded and founded Nanloy Organic Farm on two hectares, farming … [Read more...]
Mozambican litchi programme brings the sweet taste of success
In a victory for more than 200 smallholder growers, Westfalia Fruit is celebrating a bountiful 2020 litchi season in Mozambique. The returns from the 2020 bumper crop are uplifting a community of small-scale farmers in Manica Province, who, with the help of Westfalia over the past five years, have secured market access to Europe, GlobalGAP status, and a World Bank grant to … [Read more...]
SA researchers shortlisted in international forestry research award
Three South African researchers have made it to the global shortlist of the Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Awards. They were selected from 14 candidates in the South African round. The awards, launched in 2016 by the International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA), aim to recognise, celebrate and promote innovations being developed in the global … [Read more...]
Industrialised food systems will not feed Africa
The Southern African Faith Communities’ Institute (SAFCEI) and faith community representatives from Africa recently made public its open letter to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They are appealing to the Gates Foundation to reconsider its approach to “food security and food production” and to stop their push for “input-intensive crop” monoculture agriculture and … [Read more...]
Kenya emerges as leader in fighting plastic pollution
Kenya is emerging as a leader in the fight against plastic pollution and is among the first countries in East Africa to limit single-use plastics and sign the Clean Seas initiative to rid waterways of plastic waste. Juliette Biao, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Director for Africa lauded the country for banning plastic bottles, cups and cutlery in … [Read more...]
The search for sustainable cotton
"We are at a unique stage in our history. Never before have we had such an awareness of what we are doing to the planet, and never before have we had the power to do something about that… The future of humanity and indeed, all life on earth, now depends on us." - David Attenborough. From David Attenborough to world leaders, we are hearing that the next decade will determine … [Read more...]
SA launches first organic pollinator programme
The South African Organic Sector Organisation (SAOSO) in collaboration with Participatory Guarantee System South Africa (PGSSA) has launched SA’s first Ecological Organic Agriculture Pollinator programme. The programme is training 20 people to set up PGSs throughout South Africa that will help build more connected local food systems, provide organic assurance for consumers … [Read more...]
Pesticide spray drift in South Africa
The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture is a serious source of pollution in our country. Not only are farm workers and nearby rural communities suffering severe health issues, due to direct exposure through spray drift, but these agrochemicals contaminate our soil, waterways and underground water. While the Pest Management Act has provisions relating to the impact of … [Read more...]
The future of water in SA’s agriculture sector
As early as 2012 the World Economic Forum (WEF) warned that water security was one of the most significant risks to the planet and its people. Water concerns in one form or another have ranked among the top five risks of the WEF Global Risks Report ever since. In South Africa, the national government's Water and Sanitation Master Plan has informed much-needed amendments … [Read more...]
