by Wandile Sihlobo | Jul 30, 2019 | Agricultural Labour Market
I have been punting that agriculture could help boost employment in South Africa, but the latest jobs data are a reminder that fundamental change is essential. Today, July 30, we learned that South Africa’s primary agricultural employment fell by 0.2% in the second...
by Wandile Sihlobo | Jul 27, 2019 | Agricultural Production
In her budget vote speech last week, Ms Thoko Didiza, the new minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development, noted that, among other things, she intends to expand SA’s agricultural footprint in export markets. This is a fitting message as the growth of...
by Wandile Sihlobo | Jul 26, 2019 | Agricultural Production
South Africa’s Crop Estimates Committee released its monthly update this week. One of the key crops I have been monitoring is maize. This week’s data is particularly important, as it is the second to last update of the season. Moreover, the harvest process has...
by Wandile Sihlobo | Jul 22, 2019 | Agricultural Production
We have been hearing a lot about the change in consumer preference, with some people preferring what is perceived as healthier diets. But sorghum, which is nutritious, has not taken off, at least in the African continent. Its consumption per capita has been falling...
by Wandile Sihlobo | Jul 21, 2019 | Agricultural Trade
The Business Times newspaper ran a piece today warning that the growing strikes in South African ports could weigh on agricultural exports, particularly the Citrus industry. But this is not where the story ends. There are also infrastructure challenges in the South...