South African News
Youth Flock to Agriculture as a Career of Choice
South Africa is experiencing a surge in young people entering agriculture, driven by increased visibility, bursary opportunities and industry demand. Youth-in-Agriculture org leader Ipeleng Kwadi Seboni reports a notable rise in registrations and attendance at events. While census data from 2022 shows only about 313,000 farmers aged 15–34, initiatives such as bursaries and expos like Nampo are inspiring more school leavers to pursue agricultural studies. AgriRecruit now receives hundreds of intern applications within niche sectors, selecting around 500 truly committed candidates. Young entrants are praised for their innovative, technology-driven approach and capacity to bridge industry, research and government efforts.
Read full story: Farmers Weekly
Date Published: June 16, 2025
South Africa’s Orchid Industry Blossoms with Premium Cut-Flower Production
Duckitt Nurseries, South Africa’s largest orchid grower near Darling in the Western Cape, has transformed from a small family hobby into a large-scale premium flower business. Specialising in Cymbidium, Cattleya, Oncidium and African orchid species, they supply high-end cut-flowers and pot plants locally and overseas. With five greenhouses spanning 5.6 ha and strict quality control—including culling weak seedlings and using eco‑friendly pest control—they meet both South African and international market preferences. Their sustainable practices avoid pesticide use, desalinate borehole water, manage energy and logistics carefully, and minimise carbon footprint while maintaining high-quality output.
Read full story: Farmers Weekly
Date Published: June 17, 2025
African News
Morocco Sets New Record for Raspberry Exports to Middle East
Morocco has achieved record-breaking fresh raspberry exports to the Middle East in the first nine months of marketing year 2024/25, surpassing 700 metric tons. This marks a significant rise from previous years, with peak exports in October 2024 exceeding the total of marketing years 2019/20 and 2020/21 combined. Strong demand in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar is driving growth, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia now accounting for 75% of shipments. Market share has notably increased across the region, with remarkable gains in Bahrain and Jordan. Morocco also continues to expand exports to the UK.
Read full story: Fresh Plaza
Date Published: June 16, 2025
Global News
Peru’s New Agrarian Reform Law Provokes Split Opinion
Peru’s replacement of the 2000 Agrarian Promotion Law in early 2021 has elicited mixed responses. Exporters’ body AGAP argues the new law increases labour costs—via higher taxes, social contributions and profit-sharing—thereby dampening investment and formal job creation. They claim this has stalled plantation expansion, though some attribute the slowdown to broader economic and market factors. Conversely, the law has eased social tensions, and experts note continued agro-export growth at around 10% annually, thanks to momentum from prior expansions and commodity prices. Calls are growing for a new promotional framework that balances competitiveness with workers’ welfare.
Read full story: Eurofruit
Date Published: June 16, 2025
Deere Forecasts Brazil Will Overtake Europe in Machinery Sales Within a Decade
Deere & Co projects that Brazil will surpass Europe in farm machinery sales within five to ten years, becoming the company’s second-largest market. Driven by a forecasted 27% rise in grain acreage and doubling of corn ethanol production, Brazil’s expanding soybean and corn sectors are fuelling demand for tractors, sprayers, and harvesters. With its capacity to produce two crops annually and convert more land into farmland, Brazil offers a strategic edge. Deere is also investing in connectivity and precision agriculture technologies, partnering with Starlink to improve rural access. The company recently hosted global investors in São Paulo to outline its growth plans.
Read full story: Irish Independent
Date Published: June 17, 2025
Australia’s ‘Most Important Parcel’ Puts Farmers and Endangered Lizards in a Bind
Farmers west of Melbourne face uncertainty over a privately owned parcel of land crucial to the survival of the critically endangered Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon. Known as “Australia’s most important parcel”, this tiny tract across three paddocks harbours the last confirmed wild populations of the species. Scientists and the Biodiversity Council are frustrated at the Victorian government’s inaction to acquire and protect the land, despite a decade-old commitment under the Melbourne Strategic Assessment to secure 15,000 ha of key grasslands. Degradation through cropping, weed invasion, and dumping threatens to reverse recovery efforts unless urgent conservation measures are taken.
Read full story: Realestate
Date Published: June 17, 2025
India’s Electric Tractor Revolution Signals the End of Diesel Era
India is witnessing a pivotal shift from diesel-powered to electric tractors as part of a broader push toward sustainable agriculture. With rising diesel costs, high maintenance, and environmental concerns, farmers are turning to electric alternatives for their efficiency, lower emissions, and quieter operation. EV tractors also offer reduced running costs and ease of maintenance, with smart features such as app integration and performance tracking enhancing productivity. Challenges remain, including limited charging infrastructure and hesitancy from farmers accustomed to diesel. However, innovations like solar-powered stations and portable battery packs are helping bridge the gap, signalling a greener future for Indian farming.
Read full story: TimesTech
Date Published: June 17, 2025
