South African News
South Africa to Vaccinate Entire Cattle Herd in Major Shift Against FMD Outbreak
South Africa will vaccinate its entire national cattle herd in a major policy shift aimed at containing the escalating Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced the plan at an AFASA conference, outlining a systematic rollout starting in the hardest-hit provinces. With 7.2 million cattle nationally, experts describe the move as bold but note challenges, including limited vaccine supply and the need for private-sector involvement in production. Despite vaccinating over 930,000 animals recently, authorities say uncontrolled animal movement is hindering progress. New vaccine imports and a local production facility are expected to boost supply in early 2026.
Read full story: Business Tech
Date Published: November 26, 2025
Heavy Rains Leave Farmers Struggling to Plant Amid Widespread Flooding and Hail
Exceptionally wet weather across South Africa’s summer rainfall regions has stalled planting and fieldwork, with farmers reporting saturated soils, hail damage and delayed crop emergence. While most maize and soya plantings in Mpumalanga and the eastern Free State are complete, persistent rain and cold conditions are slowing seedling growth and hampering spraying and top-dressing. In parts of the Free State and Limpopo, hailstorms, flooding and even a weak tornado added to the disruption. Some areas remain too waterlogged for machinery, though later-planting regions still have time. Farmers welcome the rain overall, but uncertainty remains over yield impacts as fields lie underwater.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: November 27, 2025
African News
Ghana’s Planned Road Upgrades Could Cut Food Prices and Boost Farm Competitiveness
Ghana’s vegetable industry expects farm-to-market costs to fall if the government delivers on extensive road upgrades outlined in the 2026 Budget. Dr Felix Mawuli Kamassah of VePEAG says poor feeder roads force farmers to use costly transport, doubling produce prices before reaching urban markets. The budget commits GH¢828 million to building 1,000 km of agricultural enclave roads, alongside major investments in mechanisation and irrigation. Kamassah argues that timely delivery could reduce production costs, stabilise prices and strengthen export competitiveness. While food inflation has eased significantly this year, analysts note that logistics inefficiencies continue to drive price volatility.
Read full story: Fresh Plaza
Date Published: November 26, 2025
Global News
Arrests at Budget Day Farm Protest Spark National Debate Over Treatment of UK Farmers
A large farmers’ protest in London on 26 November escalated after police blocked tractors from entering the demonstration route, resulting in several arrests for failing to follow public-order conditions. The rally, timed with the Autumn Budget, targeted the government’s decision to raise inheritance tax on agricultural estates - a move farmers say threatens family farms and UK food security. Footage of tractors being towed drew widespread criticism, while political figures including Nigel Farage and opposition MPs condemned the arrests as heavy-handed. Protesters warned that current policies risk undermining domestic food production and pledged to continue their campaign.
Read full story: International Business Times
Date Published: November 27, 2025
Canada’s Salmon Farmers Cut Antibiotic Use as New Report Shows Broad Sustainability Gains
Canada’s salmon farming sector has halved antibiotic use and improved fish survival, according to the 2025 CAIA Sustainability Report. The industry attributes reduced medication to stronger vaccination, early disease detection and preventative health practices. Survival rates rose to 85%, while sea-lice treatments, fish escapes and feed sustainability also saw significant improvements. Nearly all fish meal and oil now come from certified sources, with farms relying more on plant-based feed. Climate reporting expanded, raising measured emissions, though salmon farming remains the most carbon-efficient large-scale animal protein. Despite operational progress, uncertainty remains as the federal government maintains plans to phase out B.C. ocean farms by 2029.
Read full story: Sea West News
Date Published: November 27, 2025
China Reaffirms Backing for Pakistan’s Industrial and Agricultural Growth Under CPEC Phase II
China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, has reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to advancing Pakistan’s industrialisation, agricultural modernisation and connectivity upgrades under CPEC Phase II. Speaking at a policy dialogue, he highlighted major upcoming investments including Haier’s USD 400 million home-appliance industrial park and the Challenge Group’s USD 150 million textile park, both expected to boost exports and create jobs. China also plans to expand contract farming, improve market access for Pakistani produce and upgrade key infrastructure such as the Karakoram Highway and Gwadar Port. Jiang noted that CPEC has already delivered significant gains, including power generation, transport networks and over 261,000 jobs.
Read full story: Pakistan Today
Date Published: November 26, 2025
Google DeepMind Expands India-Built Agri-AI Models Across Asia Pacific
Google DeepMind is taking its India-first agricultural AI models - ALU (Agricultural Landscape Understanding) and AMED (Agricultural Monitoring & Event Detection) - to Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Japan after strong adoption in India. Developed at the Bengaluru lab, the models analyse satellite imagery to map fields, vegetation and water bodies, detect crop cycles, and identify agricultural events every 15 days. India’s government departments, startups and research institutions are already using the APIs to strengthen crop monitoring, climate-risk assessment, lending, land-record modernisation and personalised farmer advisories. Google says the goal is to support smallholder farmers across the Global South, enabling data-driven, climate-resilient agriculture at scale.
Read full story: Financial Express
Date Published: November 26, 2025
