South African News
US Scraps Tariffs on South African Oranges, Boosting Citrus Export Prospects
South Africa’s citrus industry has welcomed the United States’ decision to lift tariffs on imported oranges, a move expected to significantly strengthen the country’s export position ahead of the 2026 season. The Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) said the exemption restores competitiveness and opens opportunities for increased shipments and job creation. Although the 30% tariffs introduced in August 2025 had limited impact due to early fast-tracking of exports, growers feared long-term consequences. Industry leaders now hope the exemption will be extended to include mandarins, warning that continued tariffs on soft citrus could trigger price spikes and supply disruptions for US consumers.
Read full story: Fruitnet
Date Published: November 17, 2025
Heatwaves and Heavy Rains Raise Alarm Over Rising Livestock Disease Threats
South Africa is facing heightened biosecurity risks as extreme heat and heavier rains fuel outbreaks of livestock diseases including African Swine Fever, lumpy skin disease, bluetongue, and foot-and-mouth disease. Experts warn that summer rainfall regions such as KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Limpopo are particularly vulnerable due to increased vector activity. With African Swine Fever cases already high in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, authorities are relying on quarantine and movement controls, as no effective vaccine exists. Farmers are urged to prioritise vaccination, vector control and early detection, while strict biosecurity measures remain essential to contain FMD in affected regions.
Read full story: Food for Mzansi
Date Published: November 17, 2025
African News
Knowledge-Based Climate-Smart Farming Transforms Peri-Urban Agriculture in Gulu City
Climate-smart farming is gaining momentum in Gulu City, Northern Uganda, as young and traditional farmers adopt innovative, knowledge-driven practices to counter climate change and revitalise agriculture. With extreme weather increasingly damaging crops and driving youth away from farming, pioneers like Solomon Rackara and Lakot Flavia are demonstrating profitable, zero-waste systems, renewable-energy innovations, and climate-resilient crop choices. Their success highlights the power of education, community training, and indigenous knowledge to boost food security and reduce unemployment. However, major gaps remain in agricultural support services, cooperatives, and policy implementation, leaving many farmers—especially older ones—without access to vital skills and climate adaptation strategies.
Read full story: Rwenzori Daily
Date Published: November 17, 2025
Global News
Brazil’s Amazon Protection Under Threat as Push Grows to End Soya Moratorium
Brazil’s Amazon rainforest faces renewed deforestation risks as powerful agribusiness groups lobby to overturn the Amazon Soy Moratorium, a long-standing agreement that bans the sale of soya grown on land cleared after 2008. The moratorium has been widely credited with sharply reducing deforestation, yet some Brazilian politicians and farming leaders argue it is anti-competitive and restricts economic growth. Environmental organisations warn that lifting it could trigger large-scale land grabbing and accelerate the Amazon’s slide toward a climate “tipping point.” Scientists report that ongoing forest loss is weakening rainfall cycles, raising the risk of irreversible ecosystem collapse with global climate consequences.
Read full story: BBC
Date Published: November 17, 2025
USDA Opens New Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in Tampico to Bolster Screwworm Control Efforts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has opened a sterile fly dispersal facility in Tampico, Mexico, strengthening efforts to contain the New World screwworm. The site enables large-scale aerial release of sterile flies across northeastern Mexico, improving responsiveness to outbreaks and reducing reliance on ground release chambers. USDA currently disperses 100 million sterile flies weekly, produced at the COPEG facility in Panama, and is supporting expanded production in Mexico. Although most new screwworm cases remain in southern Mexico, recent detections in Nuevo León highlight the importance of rapid response capability. Additional U.S. facilities in Texas are under construction to further boost capacity.
Read full story: Global Agriculture
Date Published: November 17, 2025
Indonesia Unveils First Drought-Tolerant Palm Oil Seed
Golden Agri-Resources’ seed division, Dami Mas, has introduced DxP Dami Mas MTK, the first Indonesian-approved oil palm seed variety proven to maintain superior yields under drought. Developed by the SMART Research Institute over more than a decade, the MTK seeds deliver at least 12% higher yields in dry conditions and over 25% during severe drought events such as the 2015 El Niño. The innovation addresses mounting climate-driven water deficits that cost Indonesia’s palm oil sector an estimated US$4.5 billion annually. Validated through extensive field trials and Ministry of Agriculture review, MTK seeds will be available from early 2026. GAR sees strong potential for adoption in other drought-affected palm-growing regions worldwide.
Read full story: The Strait Times
Date Published: November 17, 2025
Penang Boosts Aid After Invasive Weed Devastates Paddy Fields
The Penang government is intensifying support for paddy farmers after severe losses in the first 2025 planting season caused by an outbreak of the invasive aquatic weed keladi agas (Monochoria vaginalis). The weed spread rapidly and, in some areas, destroyed entire harvests by competing with rice crops for nutrients, sunlight, and water. Additional challenges—including poor irrigation, uncertified seeds, labour shortages, and inconsistent agronomic practices—worsened the impact. Since 2023, Penang has created a task force, allocated RM900,000 for paddy development, and spent RM400,000 on MARDI-recommended weed control. The state is considering one-off aid and aims to raise yields to seven tonnes per hectare by 2030 through better seeds, modern methods, and revitalised farmland.
Read full story: Malay Mail
Date Published: November 17, 2025
