South African News
Foreign Sugar Surge Threatens South Africa’s Sugar Industry and Jobs
South Africa’s sugar industry is facing a severe blow as sugar imports, particularly from Brazil, have surged by over 400% in 2025 compared to last year. The influx has displaced more than 100,000 tons of locally produced sugar, costing the sector over R760 million and threatening thousands of jobs in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. The South African Canegrowers Association has urged government intervention, stronger trade protection, and consumer support for locally produced sugar. Provincial leaders warn that continued import pressures could endanger livelihoods and key economic activities linked to the sugar value chain.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date Published: November 10, 2025
Nkadimeng Agri: From Family Care to Community Empowerment in Mpumalanga
What began as Mokgapi Nkadimeng’s personal mission to provide healthier food for his grandmother has grown into Nkadimeng Agri, a thriving organic poultry business transforming lives in Mpumalanga. Founded on principles of sustainability and social impact, the company partners with local farmers to produce organic feed, reduce costs, and strengthen rural economies. Nkadimeng Agri promotes food security, mentors young farmers, and recycles waste into organic fertiliser for community gardens. By focusing on antibiotic-free poultry, fair partnerships, and empowerment, the enterprise is proving that farming can drive both economic growth and social renewal.
Read full story: IOL
Date Published: November 9, 2025
African News
Gates Foundation Pledges $1.4 Billion to Boost Climate Resilience for Smallholder Farmers
The Gates Foundation has committed $1.4 billion over four years to help smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia adapt to climate change. Announced at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the funding will support innovations that address the impacts of droughts, floods, and heat. The initiative aims to strengthen food security by promoting climate-resilient crops, digital farming tools, and soil health improvements. With partnerships spanning governments, research institutions, and private sectors, the foundation seeks to empower farmers through locally led, evidence-based solutions that enhance long-term resilience and economic growth.
Read full story: Pulse 2.0
Date Published: November 10, 2025
Global News
Timely Rice Shipment Brings Hope to Louisiana Farmers Amid Tough Market
South Louisiana rice farmers have found a rare success as an 11,000-metric-ton shipment of high-quality long-grain rice was sent from Lake Charles to Honduras, earning premium prices despite global market pressures. The sale, driven by the U.S. Rice Producers Association and its former CEO Dwight Roberts, showcased exceptional milling yields and strong buyer relationships. Amid falling prices and growing competition from South America, the deal offers relief to a struggling sector. The shipment marks the first from the new Turning Basin facility, part of a multimillion-dollar port expansion set for completion in 2026.
Read full story: Farm Progress
Date Published: November 10, 2025
Pakistan Sends 224 Agriculture Graduates to China for Advanced Training
Pakistan has launched a major capacity-building initiative to modernise its agriculture sector by sending 224 agriculture graduates to China for advanced training. Announced by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, the programme—part of Pakistan–China cooperation under CPEC—will equip participants with expertise in crop breeding, veterinary science, intelligent farming, and seed production. Training will take place at Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University and Huazhong Agricultural University. The minister said investing in skilled youth is vital for sustainable growth, adding that the initiative will strengthen innovation, climate resilience, and agricultural exports.
Read full story: CPEC
Date Published: November 10, 2025
2026 Greening Reforms Put Cover Crops at the Heart of Scottish Farming
From 2026, new Scottish greening rules will require non-organic farms with more than 15 hectares of arable land to dedicate 5% to Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs), with cover crops set to play a central role. The long-standing grassland exemption will be scrapped, extending EFA obligations to many more holdings. The updated framework introduces new options such as low-input grassland and agroforestry while relaxing grazing restrictions, allowing livestock access as soon as crops are fit. Experts say the shift offers practical benefits for soil health, biodiversity, and nutrient management - encouraging farmers to see cover crops as valuable tools, not just compliance measures.
Source: The Scottish Farmer
Date Published: November 9, 2025
Farmers Applaud New Zealand’s Lower Methane Targets as ‘Science-Based and Practical’
New Zealand’s government has revised its biogenic methane reduction target for 2050 from 24–47% below 2017 levels to a more achievable 14–24%, following recommendations from the independent Methane Science Review. The move, welcomed by Federated Farmers and Beef + Lamb New Zealand, is seen as balancing climate goals with economic realities. Industry leaders praised the decision to rule out a methane tax and said the new targets reflect the true warming impact of short-lived gases. Critics, however, including climate scientists, argue the shift weakens New Zealand’s climate ambition and could harm its international reputation.
Read full story: Evening Report
Date Published: November 10, 2025
