by Wandile Sihlobo | Aug 11, 2019 | Agricultural Production
It is almost certain that SA’s agricultural economy will contract in 2019, mainly as a result of the poor summer crop harvest coming after a drought. The Western Cape, which typically provides a cushion when there is a drought in summer-rainfall areas, was not in good...
by Wandile Sihlobo | Aug 7, 2019 | Agricultural Production
We can have different views about the agricultural policies that the South African government adopted since the dawn of democracy, but the one thing we can all agree on, I hope, is that the sector has grown tremendously – as illustrated in Figure 1. Importantly, this...
by Wandile Sihlobo | Aug 2, 2019 | Agricultural Production
Essay by Professor Mzukisi Qobo[1] and Wandile Sihlobo[2] A spectre of cannabis is hovering above Africa. The boom is on the horizon and for some countries, it will be a slow burn. A number of countries in Africa have in the recent past reformed their cannabis...
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...
