'Back to basics' approach needed for transformation in the agro-food sector, not a flood of new legislation
The past couple of months have seen the floodgates truly open with new Bills and regulations aimed at land reform.
Agbiz manager: Legal intelligence,
Theo Boshoff, says a
'back to basics' approach should be followed whereby each and every new regulatory instrument should be looked at critically with the aim of simplifying the whole process so that it can be implemented swiftly and effectively. In this regard, it is worth looking at each Bill, policy and regulation individually and collectively to see whether or not it clearly contributes the broader transformation goal or if it merely complicates the process further. Boshoff shares more with readers in the
linked article»
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ECONOMIC AND AGRIBUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
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Outlook is positive for agricultural jobs
"Contrary to market expectation of a mild uptick in South Africa's GDP in the first quarter of 2017, the country has slipped into a technical recession after two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. Every sector of the economy, except for mining and agriculture, contributed negatively to GDP,"
writes Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz Head: Economic and Agribusiness Intelligence, in his Business Day column
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read more»
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SA agricultural economy now showing signs of recovery
The agricultural GDP has landed in positive territory for the first time since 2014, driven by a robust recovery in agricultural production. The recovery in production is largely supported by a record maize and soybean harvest. Data released this morning showed that agricultural GDP grew of 22.2% quarter-on-quarter for the first time in over two years. "We expect this positive growth to continue for the rest of the year, sustained by growing optimism in the sector," says Wandile Sihlobo - read more»
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SA's agricultural machinery market remains vibrant
The South African agricultural machinery market remains vibrant, driven by a robust recovery in agricultural production and a stable domestic currency, for now. This vibrancy is reflected in the latest tractor sales, which reached 493 units in May 2017 - a 24% monthly uptick and 17% higher than the corresponding period last year. Although grain and oilseed prices are at significantly lower levels due to large supplies, higher yields per hectare could still compensate for lower prices in some areas. Wandile Sihlobo provides more information in the
linked update»
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Daily view on commodity markets
Daily commentaries on agricultural commodity markets and macro-economic trends are available on the Agbiz website
www.agbiz.co.za
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT |
The following job vacancy is available within Agbiz to be filled as soon as possible
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Manager: International Trade and Investment Intelligence
. The primary objectives of the position are to develop and grow international trade and investment intelligence and opportunities for members by conducting thorough research and liaising with trade and investment specialists, including trade negotiators.
Applications close end of June 2017.
More information»
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On 7 June 2017, Kaap Agri has distributed its pre-listing statement to shareholders, in anticipation of its listing on the main board of the JSE Limited, which is expected to occur on 26 June 2017 -
More information»
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The South African wine and brandy industry can now capture and track all information on training and development in one convenient place, with the launch of the online Learner Management System (LMS).
Because training has never been captured in one central place, the full extent of learning and development in the wine industry is unknown. Some learners who received training also did not have access to proof of their qualifications or service record.
With these challenges in mind, the wine and brandy industry developed the internet-based LMS - Read more»
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The Agbiz newsletter on
2 June incorrectly reported that Andries Radley
received his PhD degree
at the University of Pretoria. Radley received his PhD in agricultural economics at the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus).
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The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' Veterinary Services was on Friday 2 June 2017 notified of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in one of the commercial chicken flocks in Zimbabwe. South Africa immediately suspended all trade in live birds and poultry, meat, table eggs and other unprocessed poultry products and communicated this to the Zimbabwean Chief Veterinary Officer -
Read more»
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A summary of the status of El Niño and the Southern Oscillation, or ENSO,
issued by Climate Prediction Center/NCEP/NWS and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society
is
linked»
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21-22 June 2017 | Birchwood Hotel | Johannesburg
Agbiz is excited to join hands with Tiger Brands in hosting a breakaway session during the upcoming Vision 2030 Summit. The breakaway session on Radical Economic Transformation in the agricultural sector will have a strong focus on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among youth. The summit will address all issues relating to the National Development Plan (NDP) and aims to build the community of South Africans joining the country's leaders, both in government and the private sector, driving economic acceleration and transformation. The programme is linked»
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IFAMA 2017 World Conference
18-21 June 2017 | Miami, Florida, USA
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Avi Africa 2017 Conference, Congress & Exhibition
20-22 June 2017 | Emperors Palace | Johannesburg More information
Workshop on Bioinformatics and Wheat Genomics 28 June 2017 | Worcester, Western Cape More information
Africa's Big 7
25-27 June 2017 |
Gallagher Convention Centre |Johannesburg Skills training sessions for smallholder/urban farmers (25 June 2017)
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11th Agribusiness Africa Conference
4-5 July 2017 |
Emperors Palace | Johannesburg
ExtruAfrica 2017 1-4 August 2017
Agbiz Grain Mini-Symposium
15 August 2017 |
CSIR, Pretoria
Enquiries: [email protected]
PMA Fresh Connections Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show
16-17 August 2017 |
CTICC | Cape Town
Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Symposium
23 August 2017 | CSIR, Pretoria
Skills Development Summit
31 Aug - 1 September 2017 | CSIR | Pretoria
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South African Association for Food Science & Technology (SAAFoST) 22nd Biennial International Congress and Exhibition
3-6 September 2017 | Century City Convention Centre | Cape Town
SA Innovation Summit
6-8 September 2017 | Cape Town
13th African Dairy Conference and Exhibition
12-14 September 2017 | Premier Hotel OR Tambo
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MPO National Congress
20 September 2017 | Protea Hotel King George | George
Potatoes SA Congress
28 September 2017 | Premier Hotel OR Tambo | Johannesburg
International Conference on Global Food Security
3-6 December 2017 | CTICC | Cape Town
Conference Theme: Food Security: Global challenges, local solutions
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