Archive for May 2020
How young vineyards can survive climate change
By choosing the right cultivars and adapting their irrigation regimes in young vineyards, winegrowers may mitigate the expected effect of climate change in coming years. This is according to Dr Hanlé Theron, who recently obtained her doctorate in viticulture from Stellenbosch University. She studied under the supervision of Dr Kobus Hunter at the Agricultural Research…
Read MoreMicrobes: Our tiny, crucial allies
Most of us considered microbes little more than nasty germs before science recently began turning our view of the microbial world on its head. A “microbe” is a bacterium and any other organism too small to see with the naked eye. After decades of trying to sanitize them out of our lives, the human microbiome…
Read MoreVerwagte klimaatstoestande vir koringproduksie
Koring word hoofsaak in drie gebiede in Suid-Afrika aangeplant met sporadiese kleiner besproeiingsoppervlaktes verspreid oor verskeie provinsies. Die Wes-Kaap is by verre die grootste droëlandproduserende koringgebied gevolg deur die Vrystaat, veral die Oos-Vrystaat. Die Noordkaap produseer uitsluitlik koring onder besproeiing en is die ander belangrike gebied van belang. Koring word ook op kleiner skaal in…
Read MoreThe Fourth Industrial Revolution and Applications in Agriculture
Agriculture plays a crucial role in the African economy and the daily lives of most Africans. The continent has 65 percent of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land, an abundance of fresh water and about 300 days of sunshine each year. More than 60 percent of Africa’s working population is engaged in agriculture accounting for a third…
Read MoreHealthy soil is the real key to feeding the world
One of the biggest modern myths about agriculture is that organic farming is inherently sustainable. It can be, but it is not necessarily. After all, soil erosion from chemical-free tilled fields undermined the Roman Empire and other ancient societies around the world. Other agricultural myths hinder recognizing the potential to restore degraded soils to feed…
Read MoreFarmer of the Month: John Ford
Our Farmer of the Month for the May 2020 edition is John Ford of Elmhurst and Charlgrove in the Port Alfred district. Elmhurst is situated 10 km West of Port Alfred on the Southwell gravel road, midway between Port Elizabeth and East London in the Eastern Cape. Charlgrove is a further 10km West, situated inland…
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