Agricultural policy

Farming in South Africa is being hobbled by power cuts and poor roads. Rural towns are being hit hardest

Retrieved on:

Monday, June 5, 2023

The sector’s gross value added grew by 14.9% in 2020, 8.8% in 2021 and modestly by 0.3% in 2022 .

Key Points:

The sector’s gross value added grew by 14.9% in 2020, 8.8% in 2021 and modestly by 0.3% in 2022 .
The current season is also likely to deliver solid growth for the sector, with variation across sub-sectors.
Export performance is likely be robust, especially with a weaker rand exchange rate, which makes South African products more competitively priced in the global market.
These challenges highlight the effects of weak governance across all spheres of government in South Africa.
Farming and agribusiness play a crucial role in sustaining the economies of small towns and rural areas.

Roadblocks facing farmers

The impact that poor roads have on farmers is well illustrated by a recent case in the Eastern Cape province.
Dairy farmers in the Ncorha area struggled to receive farm supplements, feeds and diesel because of the poor state of roads.
Water has often been flagged by various agribusinesses and farmers as another major problem.
Harvest and livestock theft affect all farmers and are much harder for new entrant farmers without a strong financial position to invest in security and technical solutions.

Why strong agricultural sector matters

Agriculture is one such sector, while agribusiness and agro-processing also present a range of employment opportunities.
The recently launched Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan presents practical steps for implementing Chapter Six of the National Development Plan, which outlined a vision for developing the agricultural sector further.
Public-private sector partnerships can also be considered to help tackle some of these challenges.

Farmers in South Africa face power cuts and a weak rand - but a number of factors are working in their favour too

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Preparation of the land for winter crops begins in April, which is also the same time harvesting of the summer crops begins.

Key Points:

Preparation of the land for winter crops begins in April, which is also the same time harvesting of the summer crops begins.
Farmers in the Western and Northern Cape, Free State, Limpopo and other winter crop growing regions are making arrangements for growing winter wheat, canola, barley and oats.
This year, the outlook for winter crops is clouded by a difficult operating environment, especially the areas that are under irrigation.

Headwinds

South Africa’s agriculture has never faced a period of power cuts as severe as the current ones.
For example, recent work by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) shows that roughly a third of South Africa’s farming income is directly dependent on irrigation.
This shows that disruptions in power supply generally puts at risk a substantive share of the South African agricultural fortunes.
Of the other key field crops, about 15% of soybeans, 20% of maize and 34% of sugar production are under irrigation.

There are positives

This is according to Crop Estimates Committee, a government and industry body that monitors crop production.
These declines would have been higher had the South African Rand not weakened against the US dollar over the same period.
That’s because in US dollar terms, the prices of the very same agrochemicals are down by 30% from February 2022.
I generally expect an ample harvest in most summer crops, which is aligned with the view of the Crop Estimates Committee.

Takeways

The one major risk is electricity stability.
If the government’s proposed interventions help during irrigation periods – afternoons and evenings – South Africans can expect a favourable winter season.

Background - EU farm policy reform as agreed by the Parliament and Council

Retrieved on:

Monday, June 28, 2021

Articles, Organizations, Agricultural economics, Agriculture, Agricultural subsidies, Confederations, European Union, Agricultural policy, Common Agricultural Policy

On Friday, 25 June 2021, Parliament, Council and Commission negotiators reached an informal political deal on the EU Farm policy from 2023 onwards.

Key Points:

On Friday, 25 June 2021, Parliament, Council and Commission negotiators reached an informal political deal on the EU Farm policy from 2023 onwards.
This Q&A provides further information on:
the measures that farmers should take to better protect the environment,
how to make EU farm policy fairer,
how to help farmers on the ground by providing targeted advice,
who should get EU-funded direct payments,
how much flexibility national governments will have in transferring EU money,
how to better prepare farmers to cope with future crises,
what rules will change regarding the wine sector,
whether meat and dairy-related terms can be applied to plant-based products, and
how to control compliance with EU rules more effectively while cutting red tape.

The CoR welcomes the agreement keeping regional and local communities at the heart of EU agricultural policy

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Saturday, June 26, 2021

Articles, Organizations, Agriculture, Agricultural policy, Common Agricultural Policy, European Union

You are here > > News > The CoR welcomes the agreement keeping regional and local communities at the heart of EU agricultura...

Key Points:

You are here > > News > The CoR welcomes the agreement keeping regional and local communities at the heart of EU agricultura...
Click here to get an automatic translation of the text below.
Local communities' needs will weigh more in the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) investment decisions and regions will be among leading actors in shaping, implementing and assessing the national CAP strategic plans.
This crucial result was achieved thanks to the work of the CoR, its intense cooperation with the European Parliament and more recently - with the EU Commission.
have more influence on EU agricultural and rural development policy.

Highlights - The Largest 50 Beneficiaries in each EU Member State of CAP and Cohesion Funds - Committee on Budgetary Control

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Agriculture, Agricultural policy, Common Agricultural Policy, European Structural and Investment Funds, Primary sector of the economy, Policy

The researcher coordinating the study on The Largest 50 beneficiaries in each EU Member State of CAP and Cohesion Funds will present their findings at the CONT Committee meeting on 27 May 2021.

Key Points:

The researcher coordinating the study on The Largest 50 beneficiaries in each EU Member State of CAP and Cohesion Funds will present their findings at the CONT Committee meeting on 27 May 2021.
The presentation will explain the methodology used in the analysis of more than 12 million beneficiaries of the common agricultural policy (CAP) in 2018 and 2019 and about 600 000 beneficiaries receiving cohesion funds between 2014 and 2020.
An overview will be given of the almost 300 reporting systems and the technical and legal barriers to data collection.
An analysis of the largest direct and ultimate beneficiaries of these funds will follow giving a brief glance of the lists of beneficiaries presented in the study by fund, by type and by Member State.

Local and regional authority representatives say that they must not be pushed out of CAP management and delivery

Retrieved on:

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Articles, Organizations, Biology, Agricultural economics, Confederations, European Union, Biodiversity, Agricultural policy

It asked the co-legislators to bring the CAP into line with the Green Deal objectives and to step up EU agricultural policy's environmental goals.

Key Points:

It asked the co-legislators to bring the CAP into line with the Green Deal objectives and to step up EU agricultural policy's environmental goals.
The reformed CMO must become an effective instrument for stabilising agricultural markets ," said Guillaume Cros.
This is why we support the inclusion of the quantitative objectives of the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies in the CAP strategic plans.
To not leave anyone behind, the CAP should also take better account of social conditionality, as proposed by the European Parliament ."

Agricultural policy needs to secure stronger environmental improvements for water in Europe

Retrieved on:

Friday, February 26, 2021

Articles, Agroecology, Agronomy, Agricultural economics, Primary sector of the economy, Sustainable food system, Environmentalism, Agriculture, Agricultural science, Organic farming, Agricultural policy, Common Agricultural Policy

Agricultural management practices should be based on agroecological principles, organic farming and nature-based solutions, the EEA report Water and agriculture; towards sustainable solutions, says.

Key Points:

Agricultural management practices should be based on agroecological principles, organic farming and nature-based solutions, the EEA report Water and agriculture; towards sustainable solutions, says.
To achieve this, more ambitious measures to promote sustainable agriculture are needed in the upcoming EU common agricultural policy 2021-2027.
Responding to these challenges is urgent, since climate change impacts in parts of Europe are exacerbating pressures on water and pose a risk to agricultural production.
The EEA assessment shows that a wide variety of management measures exist to tackle agricultural pressures on the water environment.

Worldwide Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Industry to 2026 - Players Include Agrovet, Bayer and Biogenesis Bago Among Others

Retrieved on:

Friday, February 26, 2021

Health, Medicine, Agricultural health and safety, Animal virology, Food law, Foot-and-mouth disease, FMD, Vaccine, Virus, Foreign animal disease, Agricultural policy

The global foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine market grew at a CAGR of around 6% during 2015-2020.

Key Points:

The global foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine market grew at a CAGR of around 6% during 2015-2020.
The foot and mouth disease (FMD) occurs due to a transboundary, contagious virus that infects cloven-hoofed animals.
Looking forward, the publisher expects the global foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine market to continue its moderate growth during the next five years.
What is the structure of the global foot and mouth disease (FMD) market and who are the key players?

US Postal Service Could be Missing Link for Getting Surplus Food from Farms to Families

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Famines, Food security, Urban agriculture, Food and drink, Articles, Agricultural policy, Sustainable food system, Food policy, Hunger in the United States

Each year, an estimated 17 million tons of crops never make it off the farm, when millions of people in the U.S. live in food insecure households.

Key Points:

Each year, an estimated 17 million tons of crops never make it off the farm, when millions of people in the U.S. live in food insecure households.
Pairing this reality with the extensive loss of viable food on our nations farms, Farmers Post offers a win-win solution to combat on-farm food loss, while making produce delivery more affordable and accessible.
Prior to the pandemic, 40 million Americans lived in food insecure households, with only one in 10 American adults getting the fruits and vegetables they need.
Given the current funding challenges facing the Postal Service, the model identifies an opportunity to diversify funding.

From Farm to Fork: moving towards a sustainable and resilient food system in the EU

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Articles, Food and drink, Agriculture, Agricultural economics, Agronomy, Food politics, Food industry, Sustainable food system, Food system, Food, Agricultural policy, Biodiversity

Food systems are responsible for about a third of

Key Points:

Food systems are responsible for about a third of
global greenhouse gas emissions, mostly generated by
agricultural production.
It is therefore essential
that the Farm to Fork strategy proposes ambitious
targets for reducing pollutants.
We
need a radical change in food production and
consumption and a strong alliance between producers and
consumers.
How should the common agricultural policy support
the climate and environmental ambitions of the Farm
to Fork and biodiversity strategies?
Local and regional bodies across the EU and
internationally have been actively delivering local
food policies for decades, setting up food policy
councils or even bioregions.
It is not acceptable
that those who cannot afford to buy "healthy" food are
constrained to receive insufficient or highly-processed
food.
However, we must also
encourage and support change by taking a holistic view
of the food production system, encouraging the
production and market supply of healthy and affordable
food.
Social protection measures are also needed to
enable the most vulnerable groups to make healthy food
choices on their own.
What key initiatives and measures
have been put in place to strengthen local and
regional food systems in response to this crisis?