South African News
Traceability Crucial for Future of South Africa’s Red Meat Exports
South African red meat producers risk losing global market access without adopting traceability systems, industry leaders warned at the Western Cape Red Meat Producers’ Organisation AGM. Beefmaster Group’s Louw van Reenen stressed that traceability enhances biosecurity and disease control, while enabling early illness detection through digital monitoring. Export markets, already under strain due to foot-and-mouth disease restrictions and the closure of the Qatari market, could collapse without compliance. Experts argued that traceability not only safeguards trade but also improves farm efficiency, consumer trust, and profitability, making it essential for the industry’s survival.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date Published: September 12, 2025
197 North West Farmers Certified in Groundbreaking Training Programme
A total of 197 farmers in North West have completed a pioneering agricultural training initiative, marking a historic first for the province. Hosted at Potchefstroom College of Agriculture, the fully funded programme combined theory with hands-on training across cattle, goats, grain, poultry, and horticulture. The initiative was a collaboration between the provincial agriculture department, NWAFASA, AgriSETA, and BLC Academy, aimed at empowering farmers with the skills and confidence to build sustainable enterprises. Officials praised the programme as a milestone in boosting food security and rural economic development, while graduates hailed its accessibility and practical value.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date Published: September 12, 2025
African News
ECOWAS Launches Second Phase of Livestock and Red Meat Trade Support Programme
ECOWAS has launched Phase 2 of the West Africa Livestock Marketing Support Programme (PACBAO) in Accra, Ghana, with backing from the Swiss Development Cooperation. Running from 2024 to 2028, the initiative seeks to modernise intraregional livestock and red meat trade, strengthen value chain partnerships, and improve regulatory frameworks. Building on the success of Phase 1 (2018–2023), Phase 2 aims to increase livestock trade flows by 30% and red meat by 15%, while reducing reliance on extra-regional imports. The programme, valued at 10 million USD, also targets food security, resilience, and inclusive economic growth across West Africa and the Sahel.
Read full story: ECOWAS
Date Published: September 11, 2025
Global News
EU Researchers Drive Efforts to Expand Organic Farming and Aquaculture by 2030
Europe is pushing to expand organic farming and aquaculture, aiming for 25% of farmland under organic management by 2030. Currently, just 11% has been converted, prompting the EU-funded OrganicTargets4EU project to unite researchers, farmers, and policymakers from 10 EU countries and Switzerland. The initiative tests real-world solutions, strengthens advisory support, and builds cross-border collaboration to tackle high costs, bureaucracy, and market uncertainty. While experts suggest 16–18% organic farmland may be more realistic by 2030, the project is laying the foundation for lasting change through policy guidance, farmer training, and innovation.
Read full story: Horizon Magazine
Date Published: September 11, 2025
Ireland Breaks Ground on €200m Biomethane Plant to Boost Farming and Green Energy
Construction has begun on Ireland’s largest agri-based biomethane plant in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, with operations set to start in 2027. The €200 million project, a partnership between Nephin Renewable Gas, Flogas Ireland and DCC plc, will process up to 90,000 tonnes of farm waste annually, producing more than 85GWh of renewable energy. Backed by Canadian pension fund investment, the plant will also create over 100 jobs and provide long-term income for farmers supplying manure and slurries. Supporters say it marks a flagship step in Ireland’s green energy transition, with further biomethane facilities already in the pipeline.
Read full story: Agriland
Date Published: September 11, 2025
Record Heat Threatens Hokkaido Potato Harvest as Yields Fall
Farmers in Hokkaido, Japan’s main potato-producing region, are reporting significant harvest damage due to unseasonably high summer temperatures. The Tokachi area, which supplies around 30% of the nation’s potatoes, has seen reduced yields and smaller, misshapen crops. Farmer Yoshii Takuya, who cultivates the popular Danshaku variety and potatoes for chips, said his output is down by 10–20% compared to normal years. With three consecutive summers of extreme heat, growers fear such conditions may become the norm and are calling for the development of heat-tolerant potato varieties to secure future harvests.
Read full story: NHK World-Japan
Date Published: September 12, 2025
UK and Brazil Forge Partnership to Drive Sustainable Fertiliser Production
The UK and Brazil have signed a landmark agreement to promote sustainable fertiliser production and use, tackling both environmental challenges and economic opportunities. The memorandum of understanding, signed by UK Special Representative for Nature Ruth Davis and Brazil’s Deputy Agricultural Minister Cleber Oliveira Soares, focuses on boosting research, innovation, and supply chain resilience while sharing best practices. Fertilisers are vital for food security but contribute around 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The partnership, announced ahead of COP30 in Brazil, aims to showcase global leadership in optimising fertiliser efficiency, reducing pollution, and building resilient agricultural systems.
Read full story: HortNews
Date Published: September 11, 2025
