Farmer's Weekly

Realising the agricultural potential of rural areas

South Africa's former homeland areas account for approximately 13% of the country's total surface area, or about 16 million hectares. Most of this land is taken up by rural areas under the administration of traditional councils. The late Dr Frikkie Liebenberg estimated that up to five million hectares comprise farmland. However, only 22% of the land with agricultural potential is utilised for production.

Research conducted by the

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly2 min read
Ask Our Vet Avian Influenza In Dairy Cattle
I read a news story about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) occurring among dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas in the US. What does that mean for farmers in South Africa? Kind regards, Anonymous On 25 March this year, unpasteurised milk samples
Farmer's Weekly9 min read
Alternative Methods To Combat Herbicide Resistance
Herbicide resistance starts with the loss of one or two herbicides but rapidly escalates as the increasing use of a smaller pool of herbicide actives greatly increases the selection pressure for weeds to evolve resistance to the remaining active grou
Farmer's Weekly3 min read
In Search Of A Steady Income
This wheat farmer had spent years trying different production methods to achieve consistent yields. Free State wheat farmer Cliff Haddad says: “One of the major problems associated with wheat production is stabilising yields and income. I am trying t

Related