Grey Leaf Spot of Maize
Grey leaf spot (GLS) of maize is caused by the fungus Cercospora zeae-maydis. The disease
is now recognised as one of the most significant yield-limiting diseases of maize worldwide
and certainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (see Table 1). Not only is it a threat to maize
production in the commercial farming sector, it also reduces yields of maize on small-scale
farms. The disease was first identified in KwaZulu-Natal in 1989/90 and has since spread to
neighbouring provinces and most maize producing countries in Africa. Read more…
FieldSteps: Pandemic drives millions into hunger
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic could push more than 130 million people worldwide into chronic hunger by the end of 2020, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Farmer support that makes a real difference
FarmSol partners with South African Breweries to support smallholder grain farmers across eight provinces in South Africa. Aron Kole, managing director of FarmSol, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his company’s history and aims, as well as his personal journey in agriculture. Read more…
Converting productivity into profitability
Smallholder farmers are a growing force in the agricultural industry, despite lacking access to key and critical resources – as the demand for food demand is expected to double by 2050 when South African agriculture will have to provide food security for about 73 million people (according to WWF-SA).
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FieldSteps: Supporting farmers with mentorship
At Farmsol, we add value in various ways beyond direct contribution to the economy. Amongst others, we support farmers with mentorship, unlock access to funding and enable smallholders to find a route to market for their produce. Read more…
Crop crisis: Farmers plead for suspension of ban on beer sales
Smallholder farmers across the country, who produce non-genetically modified (GMO) maize and barley on contract for beer manufacturer, the South African Breweries (SAB), are on the edge of their seats about the way in which the banning of beer sales will affect their livelihoods.
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Meet the FarmSol Youth Ambassador
Twenty-four year old Njabulo Mbokane is not about to rest on her laurels and bask in the glory of her 2019 SAB-FarmSol Young Emerging Farmer of the Year title. As FarmSol Youth Ambassador, she is taking on a new challenge that is close to her heart.
COVID-19 ploughs through global markets
FieldSteps (Cultivating futures in farming): FarmSol Youth Ambassador on a national mission, COVID-19 ploughs through global markets (and more insightful reading)
Fall Army Worm identification guide
Incorrect identification of the fall army worm (Spodoptera Frugiperda), as well as incorrect reporting of feeding on uncommon hosts, are usually due to the lack of good visual reference material. This presentation by The Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries aims to address this shortcoming, and it is hoped that the information and visuals contained herein will assist workers in the field to improve their ability to do preliminary identifications, not only of the fall army worm, but also identifications of other common caterpillars on crops in South Africa.
FarmSol invests in youth and women farmers
Experts have warned that food security could face severe challenges by 2050, when South Africa is expected to have a population of 73 million, requiring double the current production capacity. FarmSol, a black-owned agricultural services company and an implementation partner to the South African Breweries (SAB) farmer development programme, in response to this, plans to attract and empower more young farmers through its national programme.
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Report reveals soil pollution as one of the world's major challenges for ecosystem restoration
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Worsening soil pollution and waste proliferation threaten the future of global food production, human health and the environment, and require an urgent global response...Nine in 10 farmers still struggling with lockdown
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An online emerging farmers' summit has revealed that, despite overall favourable agricultural and weather conditions, including good rainfall, 87% of small growers in South Africa have not managed to recover from last year's hard lockdown...