South African News
Western Cape Urged to Maintain Vigilance Amid Foot-and-Mouth Disease Threat
The Western Cape remains free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), but authorities warn that the situation could change if biosecurity measures are not strictly followed. Recent outbreaks in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng have raised concerns about the disease spreading through livestock auctions. Farmers are advised to quarantine newly acquired animals for at least 28 days and ensure they come with a veterinary health certificate. The Department of Agriculture also recommends avoiding auctions, disinfecting transport vehicles, and sourcing feed from reputable suppliers to prevent potential outbreaks.
Read full story: IOL News
Date Published: June 9, 2025
UFS Team Nominated for Groundbreaking Crop Research
The University of the Free State’s Maize Biofortification and Climate Resilience Breeding Team has been nominated for the 2024/2025 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Awards. Led by Professor Maryke Labuschagne, the team collaborates with the Agricultural Research Council, CIMMYT in Zimbabwe, and ZamSeed in Zambia. Their research focuses on biofortifying maize to enhance nutritional content under climate stress and is expanding to include sorghum and legumes. This initiative supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 2 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aiming to improve food security and nutrition across Southern Africa.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date Published: June 10, 2025
African News
Moroccan Farmers Face Labour Shortage Amid High Unemployment
Despite Morocco's high unemployment rate, farmers are struggling to find sufficient seasonal labour for their crops. Agricultural work is often seen as undesirable due to long hours and low wages, leading to a reliance on migrant workers from sub-Saharan Africa. However, recent restrictions on immigration have limited this source of labour. Farmers are now turning to mechanisation and offering higher wages to attract local workers, but these measures have not fully addressed the labour shortage. The situation threatens to impact the country's agricultural productivity and food security.
Read full story: Morocco World News
Date Published: June 9, 2025
Global News
USDA Launches Agribusiness Trade Mission to Peru
On June 9, 2025, the administrator of the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, arrived in Lima to lead a trade mission aimed at expanding market access and boosting U.S. agricultural exports to Peru. The delegation includes over 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups, as well as five state departments of agriculture. Despite a 263% increase in bilateral agricultural trade since 2009, the U.S. faces a $3.66 billion trade deficit with Peru. The mission seeks to bridge this gap by promoting exports in sectors such as beef, pork, poultry, dairy, tree nuts, ethanol, wine, and pet food.
Read full story: American Ag Network
Date Published: June 9, 2025
Bolivia and Brazil Achieve Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free Status Without Vaccination
Bolivia and Brazil have been officially recognised as free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without the use of vaccination, a significant milestone announced during the 92nd General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of the World Organisation for Animal Health in Paris. This achievement aligns with the Pan American Health Organization’s Disease Elimination Initiative and marks a major step in eliminating FMD from the Americas. As a result, over 80% of cattle in the region now fall under the FMD-free without vaccination category, with more than 65% in South America alone.
Read full story: National Hog Farmer
Date Published: June 9, 2025
China Develops Stress-Resistant Rice Capable of Growing on 14 Billion Acres of Unusable Land
Chinese scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have developed a genetically modified rice strain capable of thriving in harsh conditions such as soil salinity, alkalinity, and high temperatures. By manipulating the plant hormone gibberellin and enhancing the ATT2 gene, researchers achieved up to a 101% increase in yield under alkaline conditions. This breakthrough could transform approximately 1.4 billion hectares of currently unusable land into productive farmland, offering a potential solution to global food security challenges exacerbated by climate change.
Read full story: Glass Almanac
Date Published: June 9, 2025
India’s Kisan Credit Card Scheme Misused for Dowries, Leading to Debt Trap
India’s Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, designed to provide low-interest loans to farmers for agricultural expenses, has been misused for non-agricultural purposes, particularly dowries. Mohammad Mohsin, a farmer from Meerut, borrowed approximately $1,440 under the KCC scheme to fulfil dowry demands for his sister’s marriage. After the marriage proposal collapsed, he was left with a car loan and no funds for farming. The KCC operates like a revolving credit line, but misuse has led to increased debt and financial instability for farmers.
Read full story: Al Jazeera
Date Published: June 10, 2025
