South African News
South African Farmers to Earn Carbon Credit Income Through UPL’s Smart Climate Ag Programme
UPL Corporation has introduced Smart Climate Ag, a climate-positive initiative enabling South African row-crop farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture while earning income from verified carbon credits. Developed with Orizon Agriculture and certified by Verra, the programme promotes practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, lower synthetic fertiliser use and UPL’s biological inputs. A pilot project generated 26,102 carbon credits across 2,884 hectares, proving both environmental and financial gains. Farmers reported improved soil health, higher carbon sequestration and greater resilience. UPL plans to scale the programme nationwide as part of its broader aim to remove one billion tonnes of CO₂ by 2040.
Read full story: Zawya
Date Published: November 20, 2025
FMD Contained to Single Farm as Western Cape Tightens Biosecurity
The Red Meat Producers Organisation in the Western Cape reports that only the original farm in Gouda remains infected with foot-and-mouth disease, with livestock showing clear signs of recovery since the outbreak was declared on 14 November. State veterinarians continue inspections across 28 farms in the quarantine zone, while a previously quarantined Velddrift farm has tested negative. Authorities maintain strong law-enforcement and disinfection measures, and the newly launched AIMS traceability system is helping producers monitor animal movements more effectively. Farmers are urged to maintain strict biosecurity and comply with transport documentation to ensure full containment of the disease.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: November 20, 2025
African News
Sustainable Growers Rwanda Graduates Over 13,000 Women Coffee Farmers
Sustainable Growers has celebrated the graduation of more than 13,000 women coffee farmers across seven districts in Rwanda following a year-long programme on sustainable coffee cultivation, home roasting, leadership storytelling and market access. The organisation will also honour over 13,000 women through its Premium Sharing Rewards scheme, recognising excellence in climate-smart farming, cooperative engagement and community initiatives. Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Sustainable Growers has reached over 328,000 people regionally and continues to promote women’s leadership and rural livelihoods in the coffee sector. Graduates receive certificates and practical tools to build on their progress, reinforcing the programme’s long-term development goals.
Read full story: New Times
Date Published: November 19, 2025
Global News
PM Modi Champions Indigenous ‘Natural Farming’ at Coimbatore Summit
At the South India Natural Farming Summit in Coimbatore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the indigenous roots of natural farming and urged farmers to adopt chemical-free, livestock- and plant-based methods. Highlighting Tamil Nadu’s traditional practices such as Panchagavya, Jeevamrit and mulching, he encouraged the “one acre, one season” model and called for science-backed expansion of natural farming. Modi also released the latest ₹18,000-crore PM-KISAN instalment to benefit nine crore farmers nationwide. The piece explains the government’s National Mission on Natural Farming, the principles behind natural farming, and key features of Zero Budget Natural Farming, along with an overview of PM-KISAN.
Read full story: The Indian Express
Date Published: November 20, 2025
Japan’s Oyster Industry Hit by Mysterious Mass Die-Offs
Japan’s leading oyster-farming region is facing severe losses as unexplained mass die-offs sweep through Hiroshima prefecture, with some farms reporting 80–90% mortality before oysters reach maturity. The disaster, first noted at the start of the October harvest, has left producers deeply concerned about their livelihoods. Authorities and researchers are investigating several potential causes, including unusually warm seawater, altered salinity, low oxygen levels, pathogens and harmful algal blooms. Farm minister Norikazu Suzuki, after inspecting affected sites, pledged coordinated support and a rapid inquiry. Similar die-offs have now been reported in parts of Okayama and Hyogo, raising wider alarm across the Seto Inland Sea.
Read full story: The Independent
Date Published: November 20, 2025
Philippine Rice Output Stagnates as Consumption Outpaces Production
New research from Ateneo de Manila University shows that the Philippines’ rice production has remained largely stagnant since 2017, deepening the country’s reliance on imports. In 2022 alone, Filipinos consumed 2.3 million metric tonnes more rice than was produced. From 2013 to 2023, palay output rose only 9%, with farmland expanding by just 1% and yields by 7%. The study finds that slow yield growth, limited farmland expansion, climate shocks and uneven regional investment—not urbanisation—are driving the stagnation. Regions like BARMM and Cagayan Valley saw strong gains due to irrigation and targeted support, highlighting the need for region-specific, climate-resilient strategies to close the widening rice gap.
Read full story: Phys Org
Date Published: November 20, 2025
SA Farmers Voice Fears Over New Mining Laws as Industry Welcomes Investment Boost
South Australian farmers have expressed frustration over recent changes to the state’s Mining Act, which now allow the mining minister to extend 18-year leases and oversee transactions between mining companies. Groups such as Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures argue the reforms give miners excessive power and heighten uncertainty for landholders facing exploration or mining proposals. However, the state government and mining industry leaders say the longer lease flexibility is essential for attracting investment, citing delays caused by native title disputes or environmental challenges. Critics, including independent MP Fraser Ellis, say farmer concerns have been overlooked and call for an independent regulator to oversee compliance.
Read full story: ABC News
Date Published: November 20, 2025
