South Africa ’ s Sona
Detection of pest caterpillar for first time in South Africa
News
South Africa ’ s Sona
Co-operative land reform and trade ?
“
Amidst trying circumstances president Zuma carried himself well when delivering the SONA ( State of the Nation Address )”, said
Johannes Moller , president of Agri SA the day after the yearly SONA . “ Proceedings prior to him delivering his address might have had entertainment value but most certainly does not portray a country where people seek to enhance the well-being of all citizens
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in an orderly and disciplined fashion ”. |
Moller said that Agri SA , before the SONA , called for statesmanship |
as a preferred destination for foreign direct investment ”. |
Butterfly approach |
in |
dealing |
with |
the |
many |
“ Some years ago , the “ butterfly ” |
economic and social ills of the country and that the organization expressed reservations with the |
Moller said that Agri SA will as in the past adhere to the request from the president to work with the |
approach with respect to trade was mooted by government , meaning trade into Africa and with all |
intended |
content |
of |
“ radical |
SAPS to ensure safer communities . |
parts of the world . The president |
transformation ”. “ President Zuma |
“ Needless |
to |
emphasize |
the |
again referred extensively to trade |
did deal with a number of related |
importance of rural safety to the |
agreements with e . g . the European |
matters |
in |
visionary |
manner |
farming community for us as |
Union , Mercosur countries , Africa , |
and the principles in relation to transformation expressed by him can in my view on especially |
an organization ”. |
China and some of the Brics members . For the agricultural sector , trade and related matters |
a |
cooperative |
basis |
between |
are of obvious importance and I |
government and private sector be put into practice . |
wish to commend government for successes in this regard .” |
Restoring SA
“ President Zuma made mention of laudable land reform initiatives conducted by farmers in cooperation with farm workers . He emphasized the importance of the National Development Plan and the Constitution , the very frameworks which Agri SA also used to present workable land reform proposals to government . Of concern , though is the uncertainties in relation to the Expropriation Bill having been referred back to parliament , the intended changes to the Competition Act to deal with concentration of ownership and even the envisaged Property Practitioners Bill . Agri SA like many other stakeholders have again prior to the SONA stressed the need for policy certainty , admittedly a tough ask but of paramount importance to restore South Africa
“ President Zuma made mention of R2 , 5 billion having been allocated towards drought aid . Agri SA questions this amount , in fact in our view very little support was received in this regard . We will however engage with the Department of Agriculture , Forestry and Fisheries on how this was calculated .”
“ Like President Zuma , I also wish apartheid will become a faint memory and for South Africa to become great again ”
Detection of pest caterpillar for first time in South Africa
The Department of Agriculture , Forestry and Fisheries ( DAFF ) on 6 February 2017 in February announced the results of a diagnostic report from the Agricultural Research Council , Plant Protection Research Institute ( ARC – PPRI ) confirming that the Fall Army Worm ( FAW ) was positively identified from samples collected in the Limpopo and Gauteng Provinces . Little is known on how this pest entered Southern Africa . It is native to South and Central America and occurs in the Southern states of the USA .
Johannes Möller , president of Agri SA welcomed the timeous effort of DAFF who already met with role players from various industries and research organisations on 25 January 2017 to determine a plan of action . The interim control program was already communicated to industry members on Friday 27 January 2017 .
Consultation
Agri SA wishes to alert farmers that the application of chemicals must be carried out in consultation with chemical representatives . DAFF also started with a process of emergency registration of an agricultural chemical to be applied against this pest .
Although this pest attacks mostly maize plants , it may occasionally attack cotton , wheat , sorghum , soybeans , potatoes and groundnuts . It is therefore also important to scout these crops for damage and the presence of the invasive species . Since this pest is basically foreign to Africa , very little is known on its long-term effects . It may become a migratory pest similarly to the African Army Worm and may migrate in large numbers from one area to another causing great damage .
Möller thanked Grain SA ( GSA ) and other role-players who monitor the situation on behalf of the grain industry . He said that after the drought experienced in 2016 a further financial blow that could result from FAW should be avoided at all cost .
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SABI | FEBRUARY / MARCH 2017