South African News
AfDB Approves $310m Funding to Boost Women-Led MSMEs and Agribusinesses in South Africa
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $310 million financing package for FirstRand Bank to expand support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa, with a strong emphasis on women-led businesses and agribusinesses. The package includes a $200 million general MSME credit line, a $100 million facility dedicated to women-owned MSMEs, and a $10 million concessional fund targeting women-led agribusinesses. The initiative supports AfDB’s broader gender and inclusion strategies, including AFAWA, and will be complemented by technical assistance to improve the bankability of women entrepreneurs and enhance agricultural financial services.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: November 19, 2025
Astral Foods Delivers Double-Digit Growth After Difficult First Half
Astral Foods has posted a strong recovery for the year ending 30 September 2025, with revenue rising 10%, profit before interest and tax up 11%, and cash generated from operations increasing 20%. CEO Gary Arnold described the year as a “tale of two halves”, with a challenging first six months followed by a solid rebound. Higher broiler slaughter volumes, tighter cost control, and improved production efficiency supported the turnaround. While the poultry division’s reported profit declined due to last year’s insurance payouts, underlying performance strengthened significantly. The feed division also delivered robust growth. Astral ended the year with over R1 billion in cash and declared a sharply higher dividend.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/south-africa/astral-foods-reports-double-digit-growth-after-challenging-first-half/
Date Published: November 19, 2025
African News
Evolving Ranching Models Emerge on Medium-Scale Land Reform Farms in Matobo
Medium-scale land reform farms in Matobo, Zimbabwe, are developing diverse ranching systems as farmers adapt to limited water access, fragmented land, labour shortages and challenging market conditions. Many A2 farm owners live in towns and rely on hired workers, while investment is largely financed through off-farm income, diaspora support or small businesses. Livestock production dominates, though securing water through boreholes or shared infrastructure remains difficult and costly. Gender and generational transitions add further complexity, with widows often struggling to manage remote farms. Despite varied fortunes, these farms continue to supply significant volumes of meat to local markets through flexible, collaborative grazing and leasing arrangements.
Read full story: Zawya
Date Published: November 19, 2025
Global News
Indonesia Challenges Malaysia’s Bid to Crown Durian as National Fruit
A diplomatic spat has emerged between Indonesia and Malaysia over which country has the strongest claim to the durian, following Malaysia’s proposal to declare it the national fruit and to establish a National Durian Day. Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs argues that Indonesia’s far larger production—1.96 million tonnes in 2024—gives it a stronger claim. Malaysia’s Durian Manufacturers Association insists the proposal is about cultural identity and promoting premium varieties such as Musang King, which hold Geographical Indication protection. Both sides acknowledge the fruit’s shared heritage across South-East Asia, though they differ on who can best claim the “king of fruits”.
Read full story: Asia News Network
Date Published: November 19, 2025
Sri Lankan Rice Farmers Still Reeling Four Years After Failed Organic Farming Policy
Four years after Sri Lanka’s abrupt 2021 ban on chemical fertiliser - a move that devastated harvests and contributed to the nation’s economic collapse - rice farmers are still struggling to recover. Although the ban was reversed within months, fertiliser remains far more expensive, and rising input and labour costs have pushed many farmers into debt or part-time work. The government has reinstated inorganic farming and expanded rice cultivation, but production is still below pre-ban levels. Chemical fertiliser imports have surged, significantly increasing state expenditure, while most organic fertiliser startups have collapsed. Farmers say incomes remain “barely enough to live on”.
Read full story: Reuters
Date Published: November 18, 2025
Canadian Farmers Push for Succession Tax Reform to Protect Family Farms
Farmers across Canada are calling for urgent reforms to succession tax rules that prevent many family-run farms from being passed on fairly to committed heirs. While current laws allow tax-deferred transfers to a farmer’s own children, nieces and nephews—who increasingly take on farm responsibilities - do not qualify, leaving families facing capital gains bills that can reach millions. With the average Canadian farmer now 56 and fewer young successors in place, advocates warn that outdated legislation risks accelerating the sale of farmland to large corporations or foreign buyers. Proposed updates to Section 73(3) of the Income Tax Act aim to safeguard family ownership, rural economies and national food security.
Read full story: Farms.com
Date Published: November 19, 2025
British Winter Strawberries Now Grown Year-Round in Chichester
Fresh British strawberries could soon become a Christmas staple thanks to a major innovation at The Summer Berry Company near Chichester. Using 2,600 LED units powered by a combined heat and power plant, the grower now produces strawberries commercially throughout the winter by replicating spring-like conditions inside its greenhouses. The technology reduces reliance on imports from Egypt, Jordan and Spain, while maintaining temperatures of 18–22°C and improving fruit quality. Winter output is expected to surpass 400 tonnes for the 2025–26 season after an expansion of growing space, creating stable year-round employment and supplying major UK supermarkets.
Read full story: The Argus
Date Published: November 19, 2025
