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2018 Agbiz Congress - Spotlight on SA's trade relations
Europe remains a major market for South African agricultural exports and has growth potential, but a partnership approach is needed to address the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT) measures affecting exports such as citrus, said Sifiso Ntombela Agbiz head of International Trade and Investment at the congress.
Published: 16/07/2018
MoreHas expropriation without compensation debate started negatively affecting investment in SA agricultural sector?
We typically use the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index to gauge the health of the South African agricultural sector, as well as the potential investment path. Of late, a number of commentaries have surfaced arguing that the discussions about the proposed expropriation without compensation have not negatively affected investment in the agricultural sectors, suggesting that investment has actually increased over time. This argument leans on investment in JSE food listed companies, which we believe would not be an ideal measure of observing investment in farming. - Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz Head: Agribusiness Research and Dr John Purchase, Agbiz CEO
Published: 13/07/2018
MoreBlack farmers of Eastern Cape reap harvest of success
South Africans are a very inquisitive nation. Each time I tweet about South Africa's agricultural fortunes, someone asks about proportions of that particular product in racial terms. This past week, I posted a chart about liquor consumption – 76% of it is accounted for by beer. Almost immediately, the question popped up – what proportion of the barley and sorghum used to make the beer was grown by black farmers? – Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist *Written for and first published in the Business Times on 08 July 2018.
Published: 12/07/2018
MoreFarming 101 teaches the importance of land ownership to leverage returns
Since the passing of the parliamentary motion to review section 25 of the Constitution there has been an explosion of views on land reform, land tenure regimes and state ownership of land. From these debates it has become clear that there are diverse views on the value of land and its role as an instrument of financial security and leverage. – Wandile Sihlobo and Prof Johann Kirsten *Written for and first published on Business Day on 9 July 2018
Published: 11/07/2018
More2018 Agbiz Congress - Water: urgent call to action
Without intervention the national water deficit will be around 17% by 2030. Water availability could also deteriorate as supply contracts and demand escalate due to growth, urbanisation, inefficient use, degradation of wetlands, water losses and the negative impact of climate change. This was the opinion of Trevor Balzer, deputy director general: Strategic and Emergency Projects of the Department of Water and Sanitation, at the 2018 Agbiz Congress.
Published: 11/07/2018
More2018 Agbiz Congress - Technology opens new landscapes
Farmers face an ever-changing landscape, while constantly striving for higher yield, resilience and desirability. They need seeds and crop protection products that address their challenges – not just by country or region, but that are laser-focused down to the acre. This was the message at the 2018 Agbiz Congress of Dr Neal Gutterson, chief technical officer R&D and product development of Corteva Agriscience.
Published: 11/07/2018
More2018 Agbiz Congress - Restoration of dignity is key to land reform
"Agbiz input with regard to land reform so far was primarily viewed from a commercial perspective, thus the creation of successful and viable new entrants. This is only one part of the story. The restoration of dignity is also key to the debate, but how does one do this practically?" Theo Boshoff, Agbiz head of Legal Intelligence discussed the current policy environment for land reform and the relevant legislation at the 2018 Agbiz Congress and said that Agbiz is closely involved in many land reform forums.
Published: 11/07/2018
More2018 Agbiz Congress - Model will help to identify export opportunities
Trade facilitation and cost reduction strategies can help to unlock South Africa’s economic potential through increased exports and more scientific fact-based market intelligence. This should be at the centre of strategic decision-making and trade facilitation initiatives, increasing trade in goods and services between South Africa and the rest of the world. The same applies to agro-industry related stakeholders. This was the message to the 2018 Agbiz Congress of Prof Wilma Viviers, director of the TRADE research entity and World Trade Organization chair holder at the North-West University, and Martin Cameron, managing director of the TRADE Research Advisory.
Published: 11/07/2018
More2018 Agbiz Congress - President Ramaphosa has done well so far, but an uphill battle lies ahead
President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a number of important steps so far this year in stage one of the Ramaphosa reform era. These include recalibrating key areas of economic and institutional importance. He also overhauled the security cluster, said Goolam Ballim, chief economist of Standard Bank, at the 2018 Agbiz Congress.
Published: 11/07/2018
More2018 Agbiz Congress - Partnerships are important, but must ‘be meaningful’
Mike Mlengana, director general of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries delivered the keynote address at the 2018 Agbiz Congress and placed public–private partnerships in the spotlight. “These partnerships are important for the South African economy, but they must be meaningful and they must have a meaningful impact on people’s lives. We must have a strategy and a clear vision about these partnerships,” he said.
Published: 11/07/2018
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