Crops

SA raisin production goes up over 100,000t

Farmers' stock for this season is expected to reach 104,000t. (Image source: Raisins South Africa)

Industry body Raisins SA has forecast a significant increase in farmers' stock for 2024/25, with figures going beyond 100,000t

South African production has been on a steady upward curve for a number of years. In the 2023/24 season, farmers’ stock was 96,000t, meaning this year’s harvest is set to once again show a healthy 8% increase. Farmers' stock for this season is expected to reach 104,000t, representing the first time the country has broken through the 100,000t barrier.

This milestone comes after the weather stability achieved after a temperature variability period during the spring season. Producers are now reporting ideal conditions and plant health, with early harvest expected to kick off in January and peak volume intake at processors expected in March.

“This is shaping up to be an exciting season for South African raisin producers and exporters,” Raisins SA chairman David van der Merwe said. “Following a few years where the industry had to overcome numerous weather and infrastructure challenges, everything is looking much more settled now and the growth in production is testament to producers’ commitment to the crop. Our customers in all markets can look forward to a consistent, high-quality product that will meet growing demand for healthy, indulgent raisins.

Zimbabwean farmers receive million dollar grant from Japan

Japan has been a long-standing partner of WFP’s assistance in Zimbabwe since 2019. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Japanese government has contributed US$5.1mn toward the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), supporting nearly 37,000 smallholder farmers across five districts in Zimbabwe

The ongoing climate challenges in Zimbabwe caused by El Niño has resulted in widespread food insecurity, making this three-year project crucial for solving food security issues and enhancing resilience for smallholder farmers. The WFP will make this possible by establishing water-based infrastructure, developing value chains and strengthening agricultural extension service capacity.

Moreover, the project aims to address sustainability issues by combining food assistance with climate-adaptive practices, thereby helping smallholder farmers to cultivate more sustainable crops, particularly sesame, which has a high market potential. Production of this crop will be one of the central value chains, enhancing export opportunities for Zimbabwean smallholder farmers.

“Under this project, small-scale farmers will be supported in growing sesame seeds to practice market-oriented agriculture and a Japanese trading company called ITOCHU Corporation is expected to play an important role in completing the value-chain of the project,” said Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Shinichi Yamanaka.

He highlighted that the Japanese government would be providing financial assistance of around US$72,000 to ‘the project for the construction of storages for sesame farmers in Mwenezi District’ implemented by Sustainable Agriculture Technology (SAT), which is expected to support sesame production and its procurement including value addition for the local and export market.

With a contribution of more than US$28mn toward food assistance and resilience-building initiatives supported by the WFP, Japan has been a long-standing partner of WFP’s assistance in Zimbabwe since 2019.

“This invaluable contribution from the Gomore than vernment of Japan allows us to make food more available, easier to access, and more reliable for Zimbabwean families,” said Barbara Clemens, country representative and director for WFP in Zimbabwe. “By supporting farmers to grow food in a sustainable way and connect them to markets, we can address immediate food needs and empower communities to build a food secure future.”

Agventure invests in AgDevCo to expand business in Kenya

AgDevCo’s mezzanine loan of US$9.5mn will enable Agventure to continue to develop its canola oil production capabilities. (Image source: AgDevCo Ltd)

Specialist agricultural investor AgDevCo has announced its latest invstment into the farmer-owned business Agventure to help the latter expand its canola oil and seed processing business in Kenya

Comprising a collective of farmers, researchers, educators, and entrepreneurs working to model, promote, and share regenerative production methods throughout the food system, Agventure's objective is to enable Kenyan farmers to develop more sustainable farming practices.

AgDevCo’s mezzanine loan of US$9.5mn will enable Agventure to continue to develop its canola oil production capabilities, which sells oil under the Pure Mountain brand in Kenya, allowing the company to increase its volumes purchased from outgrower farmers. It will also help to build Agventure Seed’s platform to supply high quality certified seed to farmers.

“We are excited to be supporting Agventure in its journey to add more value commodity crops, which increases the availability of high quality, locally produced food for the domestic market and reduces reliance on imports,” said AgDevCo’s managing director for East Africa, Rebecca Sankar. The company's vision is a thriving commercial agriculture sector, which benefits both people and planet by investing in and supporting agribusinesses to grow.

Liberian government and IFAD sign million dollar grant

The funding will support Liberia’s agricultural sector by promoting sustainable practices aimed at increasing the resilience of smallholder farmers. (Image source: Ministry of Finance & Development Planning)

The Government of Liberia along with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have inked a grant agreement aimed at boosting agricultural development in the region

The US$5.3mn project is part of the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalisation Project (STAR-P), a joint initiative co-financed by IFAD and the World Bank. This funding, provided by the European Union, will support Liberia’s agricultural sector by promoting sustainable practices aimed at increasing the resilience of smallholder farmers.

The primary objective of the project is to improve food security, strengthen the livelihoods of rural communities, and build resilience to climate change by promoting agroecological practices. It will focus on increasing horticultural production through soil fertility enhancement, sustainable water management practices, irrigation technologies, and innovative co-creation models that encourage farmer collaboration.

During the signing ceremony, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan represented the Government of Liberia, while IFAD Country Representative Pascaline Barankeba signed on behalf of the organisation. Minister Ngafuan understored the importance of the partnership while also extending his gratitude to the European Union for its generous contribution.

IFAD Country Representative Barankeba also expressed her pleasure in signing these financial instruments and pledged IFAD’s commitment to supporting Liberia through ongoing and future investment in the country. Moreover, she also announced that IFAD would declare the country allocation under IFAD 13 early next year. “This will present an opportunity to increase the current investment or identify a new one, thereby taking our cooperation to new levels,” said Barenkeba.

Westfalia Fruit launches tattooed mangoes

This initiative eliminates the need for individual plastic PLU stickers. (Image source: Westfalia Fruit)

Leading multinational avocados and fresh vegetables and fruit supplier, Westfalia Fruit has announced the launch of laser etching on mangoes

The laser project was a collaboration between Westfalia’s capabilities in The Netherlands and in Germany to ensure the fruit’s quality and shelf life were preserved. Driven by its Netherlands-based operations, this initiative eliminates the need for individual plastic PLU stickers. Customer feedback has been very positive, and the plan is to expand the range further across Europe in the near future.

“Since joining Westfalia, my focus has been on improving collaboration and efficiency," said head of operations Central Europe, Mathijs Benard. "The introduction of laser etching, which is almost like a tattoo on the mango, has been an exciting project. Not only does it make the fruit stand out in-store, but it also has the potential to save up to 10 million plastic stickers a year. What we can laser on the fruit is only limited by our imagination and customer needs. Currently, we are etching the fruit origin, customer branding, and product reference.”

Westfalia's Poeldijk production facilities showcase diverse capabilities. While the company is renowned for its expertise in avocados, these facilities also offer year-round packing solutions for sprouts, capsicum, and other vegetables.

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