The 53 people who own 1 089 pigs, lost a collective 353 pigs in the last two to three months. In a report, the chief state veterinarian for animal health regulatory services in the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Duma Mpofu, says there is neither treatment nor vaccines for the outbreak. Mpofu further elaborated that pig owners are advised to confine their pigs and avoid bringing in new stock. The department is working closely with the Emfuleni Local Municipality's Department of Health to monitor the outbreak.

The recent rain did not only have a negative effect on farm infrastructure and roads but also crops such as tomatoes. According to Clive Garrett, marketing manager of ZZ2, consumers can expect shortages for the next week or two. Garrett shares that the lack of tomatoes and other vegetables have resulted in price increases. He says that the price of tomatoes is mainly determined by the national fresh produce markets and prices are made based on supply and demand and because we're experiencing tomato shortages, prices have increased. Garrett further explains that excess rain in January and February in areas producing tomatoes and other leafy vegetables, damaged plants and also contributed to an infestation of insects as well, and resulted in people not being able to enter their fields to pick and plant tomatoes. Other reports of vegetables that is experiencing a shortage include cabbage, broccoli and carrots.

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Farmers around the quiet tropical town of Tzaneen are battling a scourge of avocado theft driven by booming global demand for the nutrient-rich fruit. AFP reports thousands of tonnes of avocados have been stolen over the past five years, according to the South African Subtropical Growers' Association. The average annual losses in South Africa, one of the continent's top avocado producers, is around R24 million. One local says this is not because somebody is hungry, this is a syndicate operating, adding "Avo is green gold". March marks the start of South Africa's avocado harvest season, and the run-up is a prime time for theft. Farmer Edrean Ernst forecasts a R250,000 loss in stolen avocados this year, despite spending millions of rand on security and fencing.

OFM News/Paila Chauke/AFP