South African News
July Frost in Limpopo Slashes Avocado Harvest and Threatens Future Yields
A late-July frost in the high-altitude avocado-growing regions of Haenertsburg and Magoebaskloof, Limpopo, has caused severe damage to this year’s harvest and next year’s crop. Temperatures plunged to -5°C on 29 and 30 July, with some farmers losing up to half of their current yield. Experts warn that the cold snap has also harmed flowering trees, meaning reduced production will likely continue into 2026. While the area offers lucrative off-season supply opportunities, farmers accept the high frost risk as part of the trade-off for potentially higher market prices.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: August 12, 2025
Suspected African Swine Fever Outbreak in Bredasdorp Highlights Stray Pig Risk
A probable African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Bredasdorp, Western Cape, has intensified concerns over stray livestock from informal farmers spreading animal diseases. Since 30 July, 164 pigs have died in the Zwelitsha settlement, with the remaining herd of 547 at risk of being wiped out by early September. Authorities are culling affected animals and disposing of carcasses at the municipal landfill under emergency authorisation. ASF, which poses no human risk but devastates pig populations, has spread to all nine provinces since 2016, fuelled by free-roaming pigs and poor biosecurity compliance.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: August 11, 2025
African News
Ethiopia Earns USD 1.64 Million from Incense Exports in 2024/25
The Ethiopian Agricultural Corporation reported earning over USD 1.64 million from exporting 2,505 quintals of incense during the 2024/25 fiscal year, with shipments sent to China, Dubai, Greece, Tunisia, and Turkey. Domestically, sales of 260 quintals generated more than Birr 7.71 million. Over 90% of Ethiopia’s incense production is destined for export, and the year’s performance surpassed that of 2023/24. However, illegal trade and other challenges continue to limit the sector’s full potential. For 2025/26, the corporation aims to export 2,510 quintals to further increase foreign currency earnings.
Read full story: 2Merkato
Date Published: August 11, 2025
Global News
1,316-Year-Old Olive Tree in Mersin Still Producing Fruit
An olive tree in Mersin’s Mut district, estimated to be 1,316 years old, continues to yield olives each October, embodying the region’s rich agricultural heritage. Recognised as a “monumental tree” in 2009, it stands 5.5 metres tall with a 7.5-metre canopy and a trunk diameter of 178 centimetres. Locals care for the tree, which is among four ancient olive trees in the area, aged between 450 and 800 years. With 269,000 decares dedicated to olive farming in the district, the tree is celebrated as a living symbol of continuity and cultural memory.
Read full story: Hürriyet Daily News
Date Published: August 12, 2025
Dyson’s Rotating Vertical System Boosts British Strawberry Yields by 250%
James Dyson’s Lincolnshire-based farming operation has trialled a novel hybrid vertical growing system that increased strawberry production by 250% compared with conventional horizontal methods. Developed by Dyson engineers, the 24m-long, 5.5m-high aluminium rigs rotate plants to maximise sunlight exposure, with artificial lighting as backup. Powered by renewable biogas from on-site anaerobic digesters, the glasshouse is also equipped with advanced robotics for harvesting, pest control, and disease prevention. If fully implemented, Dyson Farming could expand from 1,250 to around 4,400 tonnes of British strawberries annually - without enlarging its 10.5ha glasshouse - ensuring year-round supply, even at Christmas.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: August 11, 2025
Turning Human Waste into Biochar Could Tackle Fertiliser Shortages and Cut Emissions
Biochar made from human waste could supply a significant share of the world’s fertiliser needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new study in PNAS. Converting solid excrement into biochar could provide up to 7% of global phosphorus use, rising to 15% with added urine nutrients, alongside 17% of nitrogen and 25% of potassium demand. The process, which reduces waste volume by up to 90%, avoids the contaminants found in sewage sludge and can be tailored to crop needs, cutting pollution and eutrophication. Researchers say widespread adoption could improve food security, reduce dependency on finite resources, and support climate goals.
Read full story: The Guardian
Date Published: August 11, 2025
Prof. Adenle Urges Strong Indian Policies and R&D Investment to Counter Tariff and Food Security Challenges
Nigerian agricultural scientist Prof. Ademola Adenle, winner of the first M.S. Swaminathan Annual Award for Food and Peace, has called on governments to adopt comprehensive policies to mitigate the impact of tariff wars on developing countries. Speaking to The Hindu, he stressed the need for Indian investment in research, bio-fortified crops, and modern technologies such as AI, genome editing, and GMOs to meet rising food demands. Adenle highlighted the F3 framework - fibre, feed, and food - as a cautious approach to GMO adoption, addressing biosafety and public trust. He urged aligning international policy advice with national development goals to strengthen agricultural resilience.
Read full story: The Hindu
Date Published: August 11, 2025
