South African News
South Africa’s unused farmland must be activated to tackle hunger and create jobs
South Africa’s hunger crisis persists not because of a lack of fertile land or capable people, but because idle farmland and emerging farmers have not been adequately supported. Reginald Mayekiso argues that long-term coordination, mechanisation, market access and consistent partnerships are essential to transform unused rural land into productive agricultural hubs. Drawing on the growth of Olifantshoek Trading Enterprise from 13 ewe lambs into a diversified rural business, he highlights how supporting small-scale farmers can strengthen food security, generate employment across supply chains, and build more resilient local economies. The piece calls for this practical model to be implemented at scale across the country.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date published: April 21, 2026
South Africa steps up response as Goss’s Wilt spreads across maize-growing provinces
South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has raised the alert over the continued spread of Goss’s Wilt, a bacterial disease affecting maize production, as new cases have been confirmed in additional provinces. First identified in 2024 in four provinces, the disease has now reached most maize-growing regions, with KwaZulu-Natal the only province still unaffected. Officials are urging farmers to strengthen biosecurity measures, including cleaning equipment, rotating crops and planting resistant maize varieties, as no chemical treatment exists. The department is also expanding field monitoring, farmer training and research into resistant cultivars to improve early detection and help protect national maize supplies.
Read full story: Milling Middle East and Africa
Date published: April 21, 2026
African News
Zimbabwe aims for wheat surplus despite payment delays and power shortages
Zimbabwe is targeting a winter wheat harvest of 662,500 tonnes this year, exceeding the national requirement of 615,000 tonnes, as part of its food security strategy. The plan builds on record harvests in recent years, but farmers continue to face major challenges, including delayed payments from the Grain Marketing Board, high borrowing costs, limited access to combine harvesters and costly prepaid electricity for irrigation. Farmers say that if these issues are resolved, the country could move towards wheat exports, particularly given global supply uncertainty linked to Russia and Ukraine. Government-backed financing and support schemes remain central to expanding production and sustaining growth.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date published: April 21, 2026
Global News
Myanmar offers subsidised fertiliser to support summer rice farmers
Myanmar’s government is stepping up support for summer rice farmers by providing affordable, quality concentrated fertiliser through a joint effort between the agriculture and rural development ministries. Fertiliser is being distributed directly to villages in the Nay Pyi Taw Council area to help farmers meet cultivation needs during the 2025–2026 summer paddy season. Officials said the initiative aims to improve yields, strengthen domestic rice supplies and boost exports, despite global pressures on agricultural inputs. Supplies are being rolled out in stages across six villages, with further instalments planned to ensure farmers receive full coverage before key application periods.
Read full story: Asia News Network
Date published: April 21, 2026
Europe warned new GMO and seed rules could threaten biodiversity and food sovereignty
Proposed EU reforms on new genetically modified organisms and seed regulations could significantly reshape Europe’s food system, according to Slow Food, which warns the measures may reduce transparency, weaken farmers’ autonomy and accelerate biodiversity loss. The organisation argues that easing rules on new genomic techniques would remove key safeguards such as risk assessments, traceability and labelling, while proposed seed regulation changes could disadvantage small farmers and seed savers in favour of large commercial operators. Together, the reforms risk increasing corporate control through patented seeds, undermining regional food cultures and limiting consumer choice, at a time when agroecological approaches are seen as essential for climate resilience and sustainable farming.
Read full story: Slow Food
Date published: April 20, 2026
Victorian farmers call for tougher protections on productive farmland
Victoria’s peak farming body has unveiled a 20-point farmland protection plan ahead of the November state election, urging political parties to strengthen safeguards for agricultural land. The Victorian Farmers Federation warns that productive farmland is increasingly threatened by mining, renewable energy developments and urban expansion, raising long-term food security concerns. Key proposals include a statutory Farmland and Food Security Commissioner, stronger planning laws, a A$200 million Agriculture Productivity Fund, and legally binding rehabilitation requirements for land affected by development projects. The plan also seeks standalone Right to Farm legislation and greater protections for landholders, arguing that Victoria’s highly productive farmland currently has weaker safeguards than other major states.
Read full story: Fresh Plaza
Date published: April 20, 2026
Japanese Wagyu producer signals shift towards fat quality and free-range systems
One of Japan’s largest Wagyu breeders says the global industry is moving away from prioritising marbling volume towards improving fat quality, particularly monounsaturated fatty acids. Masaki Takada, chief executive of Shikishima Farm, said this reflects changing consumer preferences, with some Japanese buyers increasingly favouring leaner beef over heavily marbled A5 cuts. He also outlined plans for a next-generation livestock model based on complete free-range production of Japanese Black cattle, aimed at reducing costs, easing labour shortages and improving sustainability. Despite rising feed, energy and climate pressures, Takada praised the Australian Wagyu sector’s quality and innovation, stressing that Wagyu is now a truly global industry.
Read full story: Hancock Agriculture
Date published: April 20, 2026
