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In the latest edition of Farmer’s Weekly, Ryan shares that the South African Sugar Association (SASA) has paid out more than R225 million to small scale growers at the end of last month. Andrew Russell, the chairperson of Canegrowers SA, says that this shows that the industry is committed to transformation in the sugar industry. This, as 6% of the funds was contributed by SASA members. Ryan explains that this funding has been allocated to two cane grower support programmes.

Another news story takes a look at an arrest that involves two men and one woman who face charges of fraud and corruption. Their arrest follows after it was found that they allegedly diverted poultry goods to avoid paying customs duties and VAT. By doing this, Ryan says the trio sidestepped paying import tariffs that had been implemented to protect the South African poultry industry.

Additionally, the magazine looks at what is happening in Botswana with regards to farmers and livestock animals being increasingly attacked by wildlife. These attacks are largely due to the government there being unable to maintain the movement of dangerous animals in the wildlife management areas. Animals that are of concern are elephants, leopards, buffalo, and lions.

The continuous problems with shipping are also covered in this edition, with Ryan stating that some of these problems include the attack on Transnet last year, the overbooking of containers, a global shortage of containers as well as delays at South African ports. She adds that it is expected that South Africa would export 158 million cartons of citrus in 2022. This amounts to about 100 000 containers.

Lastly, research done by Macadamia South Africa shows that pesticide application in pheromones is proven to be less effective as macadamia nuts orchids mature, which results in a higher prevalence of low-quality nuts. This in turn will have a negative effect on a farmers’ profit.

Ryan explains that pests adapt to the pesticides being applied. Thus, farmers are being urged not to over-rely on chemical applications.

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