South African News
South Africa's Agricultural Success Contrasts with Rising Household Hunger
Despite South Africa's thriving agricultural sector, which employed 924,000 individuals in 2024 and achieved a record $13.7 billion in exports, food insecurity at the household level is escalating. The Food Security Report indicates that the proportion of households experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity rose from 15.8% in 2019 to 19.7% in 2023. This paradox underscores systemic issues such as income poverty, unemployment, and economic inequality, which hinder access to nutritious food. Experts argue that improving food security requires a holistic approach, focusing on economic growth, employment, and targeted social support.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date Published:
May 28, 2025
South Africa Faces Poultry Supply Concerns Amid Brazilian Import Ban
South Africa is facing a major food security threat following a nationwide ban on Brazilian poultry imports due to an avian influenza outbreak. The ban, in place since 15 May 2023, has halted imports of poultry products, particularly mechanically deboned meat (MDM) and offal, vital for affordable processed foods like polony and sausages. Industry leaders warn of a looming shortage equating to 400 million lost meals per month, risking hunger for millions. With just 2.5 weeks of reserves in key categories, calls are growing for the government to limit the ban to Brazil's affected region, as neighbouring countries have done.
Read full story: IOL
Date Published: May 29, 2025
African News
Tanzania Seeks Indonesian Support to Boost Palm Oil Production
Tanzania is collaborating with Indonesia to enhance its palm oil industry and reduce dependence on imports, which currently supply over half of its edible oil needs. The Tanzanian ambassador to Indonesia, Macocha Tembele, met with the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) on May 26, 2025, to discuss a partnership offering technical assistance and training. Under this agreement, five experts from the Tanzanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TARI) will receive master's-level training in Indonesia. This initiative follows a 2024 memorandum of understanding between TARI and GAPKI, aiming to bolster Tanzania's palm oil sector through knowledge transfer and capacity building.
Read full story: Ecofin Agency
Date Published: May 28, 2025
Global News
Indonesia Masterclasses Boost Southeast Asia's Rural Transformation
In May 2025, 29 postgraduate students, academics, and policymakers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, and Vietnam convened in Bali for a Rural Transformation Masterclass. Organised by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in collaboration with the Crawford Fund, APPERTANI, and ICASEPS, the event aimed to explore sustainable rural development strategies. Participants engaged with Balinese farmers and local officials in Candi Kuning and Jatiluwih, gaining insights into organic farming and community-based tourism. The masterclass emphasised the importance of collaboration among governments, businesses, and communities to achieve inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction in the agri-food sector.
Read full story: Mirage News
Date Published: May 29, 2025
China Leads Global Strawberry Production with Advanced Technology
As of 2025, China has solidified its position as the world's leading strawberry producer, cultivating over 202,000 hectares and yielding approximately 3.39 million tons annually. This achievement is attributed to strategic state investment in infrastructure and the integration of advanced technologies. Artificial intelligence, drones, and sensors are employed to monitor plant growth, optimize conditions, and enhance pest control. Additionally, algorithms combining traditional and hybrid varieties have improved yield and quality. China's dominance is further underscored by its hosting of the International Strawberry Congress, traditionally led by the Netherlands and the United States, now focusing on China's innovations in breeding, automation, and pest control.
Read full story: HortiDaily
Date Published: May 28, 2025
New Zealand Proposes Major Resource Management Act Reforms for Freshwater, Infrastructure, and Farming
The New Zealand Government has unveiled significant amendments to the Resource Management Act (RMA), aiming to streamline regulations affecting freshwater management, infrastructure development, and agriculture. Key proposals include suspending the requirement for councils to identify new Significant Natural Areas for three years, repealing intensive winter grazing regulations, and removing the low-slope map from stock exclusion regulations. Additionally, the hierarchy of obligations in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) would be excluded from resource consenting processes during its review. These changes are part of a broader effort to reduce regulatory burdens and promote economic growth while balancing environmental protections.
Read full story: NZ Herald
Date Published: May 29, 2025
Researchers Seek Better Ways to Kill Palm Weevil
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, are exploring innovative methods to combat the South American palm weevil, a destructive pest threatening California's palm trees. Traditional control measures, such as spraying insecticides on tall palms, are ineffective and environmentally harmful. The researchers have developed a new approach involving a pheromone specific to the weevil, which attracts the insect to a trap containing a small amount of insecticide. This method aims to reduce weevil populations more effectively and with fewer environmental risks. The study is part of a broader effort to protect California's palm trees from this invasive species.
Source: Farm Progress https://www.farmprogress.com/insects/researchers-seek-better-ways-to-kill-palm-weevil
Date Published: May 29, 2025
