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.

Data-rich vs data-poor farmers

Farmer's Weekly

Smallholders in the Sahel prove the benefits of combining farming innovations • As climate stress intensifies across West Africa's Sahel region, smallholder farmers are searching for ways to protect their livelihoods. Lateef Olalekan Bello, project researcher at the University of Tokyo, explains.

Valentine's spectacular

RMIS provides real-time updates on foot-and-mouth disease

New uses for traditional SA chicken breeds

NEWS WRAP

Royal Agricultural Society of Natal officially opens new home of Royal Show • The Royal Agricultural Society of Natal has opened its new offices at Tweedie Hall in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, marking a significant milestone for the organisation as it prepares to celebrate its 175th anniversary this year. The move also sets the stage for a reimagined Royal Show, scheduled for May 2026. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports.

Digital transformation starts with culture • Digital technology can be a powerful enabler in agriculture, but only when it is applied with clear purpose and aligned to real business needs. Speaking at the Vinpro Nedbank Producer Day in late January, Martin Jansen, head of IT at ZZ2, stressed that technology should support better farming decisions, reduce waste, and improve efficiency, rather than be adopted for its own sake. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Grassland project sets global first for community-led carbon markets • Tasc has issued the first Climate, Community and Biodiversity-labelled carbon credits under Verra's updated VM0042 methodology from its Grassland Restoration and Stewardship in South Africa project. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Warm, dry season points to early wine grape harvest with promising potential • Despite extreme weather, rising irrigation demand and mounting climate-related risks, South Africa's 2025/26 wine grape harvest is expected to be similar to, or slightly below, last season's crop. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Science-led innovation shaping the future of South African grain farming • Science-driven innovation remains central to the resilience and competitiveness of South Africa's grain sector, particularly as farmers face growing climate and cost pressures. At a Grain SA and Agricultural Research Council panel discussion held during Science Forum South Africa, experts stressed that real technological disruption in agriculture comes not from individual tools, but from integrated systems that combine genetics, soil science, data, remote sensing and sound management. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports.

Optimal marketing window serves to boost stone fruit in China • South Africa's newly secured market access for stone fruit in China opens a timely and potentially lucrative opportunity for the industry, with peak Chinese demand aligning closely with this country's production season. Counter-seasonal supply, early market entry ahead of competitors such as Chile, and declining Chinese peach and nectarine production strengthen the country's competitive position. Lindi Botha reports.

Low oil prices signal further woes for maize farmers • Despite expectations that lower oil prices could ease input costs, the outlook for maize producers remains challenging. With rising maize stocks, a strengthening rand and the prospect of another strong local harvest, prices are likely to remain under pressure, squeezing already thin margins. Lindi Botha reports.

Grain and oilseed market dynamics amid global trade • While...