South African News
South Africa Weighs Rail Revival for Agricultural Freight
South Africa’s agricultural sector has an opportunity to influence plans to revive parts of the country’s low-traffic B-line railway network, with a request for information running until 30 September. Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager is assessing private and public interest in refurbishing and operating around 9 000km of regional and branch lines. The grain industry says up to 20% of deliveries could potentially return to rail, compared with less than 5% currently, although rebuilding the network would be costly. An intermodal model combining road and rail could better reflect today’s production and milling patterns. Citrus and deciduous fruit producers are also interested, provided rail services can maintain reliable power and cold chains.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date Published: August 30, 2026
Women’s Role in South African Agriculture Extends Beyond Farming
Women play a significant role across South Africa’s agricultural sector, but their contributions extend well beyond traditional farming activities. Women work in areas including supply chains, finance, research, food processing, technology and agricultural policy. In 2023, women accounted for 28% of the agricultural workforce, yet owned only 24% of agricultural land and were less likely than men to work in commercial farming. The article argues that the sector should move beyond measuring women’s participation and focus on ownership, leadership, decision-making and recognition. It also highlights the need to present agriculture as a diverse industry offering opportunities across the entire food and farming value chain.
Read full story: African Farming
Date published: September 1, 2026
African News
Africa’s Green Revolution Falls Short of Its Promises
A new assessment by agricultural policy researcher Timothy Wise finds that the Green Revolution model promoted by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra) has failed to deliver its promised productivity, income and food security gains over the past 20 years. Across Agra’s 13 focus countries, staple yields rose by only 25% between 2006 and 2024, while cropland expanded by 46%. Maize yields increased by about 40%, below the targeted doubling, while undernourishment rose by 58% to 150 million people. Agra’s own review acknowledges that agricultural progress has not yet translated into sufficient prosperity for farmers. Experts say future strategies should combine technology with climate resilience, diversification, infrastructure, markets and improved access to finance.
Read full story: Mail & Guardian
Date published: September 1, 2026
Global News
Mixed-Species Pastures Could Help South Australian Dairy Farmers Close Summer Feed Gap
South Australia’s Pasture 365 research project is testing mixed-species rainfed pastures designed to provide productive, resilient feed for dairy cattle throughout the year as summers become hotter and drier. Led by SARDI’s Dr Alan Humphries, the trial near Myponga is evaluating combinations of lucerne, phalaris, chicory, cocksfoot, ryegrass and clover for persistence, nutritive value, water-use efficiency and productivity under commercial grazing conditions. The project aims to identify pasture combinations suited to different regions and reduce reliance on costly supplementary feed during summer. By 2028, results will be made freely available through an online portal for dairy, beef and sheep producers.
Read full story: Government of South Australia
Date Published: September 2, 2026
Brazil’s Soybean Expansion Set to Slow as Costs Rise
Brazilian soybean farmers are expected to pause the rapid expansion of planted area after two decades of annual growth, as high fertiliser prices, constrained supplies and elevated interest rates squeeze margins. Agroconsult forecasts Brazil’s 2026–27 soybean area at 49.2 million hectares, just 0.2% above the previous season. However, production is still forecast to reach a record 186 million tonnes, supported by productivity gains. Growing domestic biofuel demand, including higher ethanol and biodiesel blending, is also reshaping cropping decisions and could encourage more maize production. Despite the slowdown, Brazil retains significant long-term potential to expand agricultural land.
Read full story: Farm Progress
Date Published: September 1, 2026
Argentina’s Farm Export Revenue Surges 51% On Corn Sales
Argentina’s agricultural exporters settled US$2.75 billion in August, 51% more than in August 2025, driven by strong corn sales from a harvest forecast at nearly 70 million tonnes. The first eight months of 2026 generated US$19.05 billion, narrowing the year-on-year shortfall from 16% through July to 12%. Exporters attributed the improvement to strong producer selling, full shipping programmes and a more predictable regulatory environment without the temporary export-tax measures used in 2025. However, weather could affect the remainder of the year, with forecasts of significantly above-normal rainfall linked to the developing El Niño.
Read full story: The Rio Times
Date Published: September 1, 2026
Malaysia Explores Rice-Prawn Farming to Boost Food Production
Malaysia is considering China’s integrated rice-prawn farming model to increase production and farmer incomes as declining paddy output leaves the country increasingly reliant on rice imports. Malaysia’s rice self-sufficiency ratio fell to 52.9% in 2024, well below its 80% target for 2030, while paddy production and planted area also declined. The Chinese system produces rice and freshwater prawns on the same land, potentially increasing returns from limited farmland. However, Malaysian researchers warn that the model cannot simply be copied because of differences in irrigation, soils, climate and farming practices. Local trials over several seasons would be needed before wider adoption.
Read full story: South China Morning Post
Date Published: September 1, 2026
