Act 36 is central to the registration and oversight of pesticides, fertilisers, farm feeds and related agricultural inputs.

South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has responded firmly to what it has labelled “misleading” claims from an agricultural lobby group regarding the handling of applications under the Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act 36 of 1947).

The department maintains that, far from collapsing, the regulatory system has undergone extensive improvements designed to modernise operations and accelerate turnaround times.

Act 36 is central to the registration and oversight of pesticides, fertilisers, farm feeds and related agricultural inputs. In its latest update, the department emphasised that the backlog and delays raised in public discourse have been receiving focused attention since the appointment of Minister John Steenhuisen. “Upon assuming office, the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, indicated that the backlogs and inefficiencies around the process would receive attention,” the department said.

Progress has been notable. In the current 2024/25 financial year alone, 6,617 applications have been processed and completed. Looking back over the past five years, 51,165 applications out of 56,890 received have been finalised. Despite varying processing times from two weeks to 24 months depending on the category the department says it is steadily improving efficiency.

A key milestone in this modernisation effort is the transition to digital systems. The first phase of the online registration platform, introduced in December 2023, now allows applicants to submit and track pesticide registrations electronically. This includes real-time status updates and access to publicly available lists of registered products. Steenhuisen welcomed the shift, noting: “Previously, applicants had to travel to the department's offices to file paperwork manually, a lengthy and often frustrating process. By going digital, the department is eliminating unnecessary delays and creating a 'fast track' for companies that comply with requirements from the start.”

The Minister added that full automation of the Agricultural Inputs Control System will improve accountability and ensure quicker processing for compliant applications. Manual pesticide submissions will end on 1 April 2026, with digital expansion to other input categories planned.

To further reduce backlogs, the Office of the Registrar has increased capacity, including appointing consultants to support application reviews. The current outstanding backlog stands at 5,730 applications, with the majority awaiting technical evaluation across agricultural remedies, animal feeds, stock remedies and fertilisers.

Meanwhile, Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) has dismissed concerns about a Rift Valley Fever vaccine shortage, confirming healthy stock levels. OBP has already distributed hundreds of thousands of doses and forecasts the production of millions more through early 2026 to support ongoing disease-control efforts.

Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) is attracting increasing attention among African feed and broiler companies. (Image credit: DDGS)

Africa’s poultry industry is undergoing rapid growth, driven by rising consumer demand.

Yet, one constant remains a key challenge: feed cost and supply risk. For broiler producers across the continent, competitiveness still hinges largely on two staples—maize and soybean meal. Both are highly sensitive to currency fluctuations, seasonal scarcity, and global price swings, leaving producers vulnerable. As a result, modern poultry operations must rely not just on formulation expertise but also on ingredient flexibility and resilient supply chains.

Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) is attracting increasing attention among African feed and broiler companies. A recent commercial-scale trial in southwest Nigeria, supported by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, offers the most rigorous local evaluation of DDGS to date. The study tested phased DDGS inclusion at levels up to 20%, monitoring growth performance, carcass yield, livability, and overall economics under real-world farm conditions.

Performance: Stable Growth and Resilient Flocks

The results were promising. Broilers fed DDGS-based diets performed comparably with conventional maize–soy formulations. Final body weights at 42 days matched industry standards, feed conversion ratios remained on target, and there was no negative impact on dressing percentage or key muscle yields. Organ development appeared normal across all test groups.

Perhaps most notably, birds in the highest DDGS inclusion group demonstrated stronger early weight gain and lower cumulative mortality. This suggests potential benefits for digestive development and overall flock resilience in tropical environments. Meat pH levels at 24 hours post-slaughter were slightly higher, often correlating with improved tenderness and water-holding capacity—traits increasingly valued in modern retail markets. In short, DDGS supported consistent production, early vitality, and carcass uniformity.

The Price Perspective

The trial occurred during a period when DDGS landed in Nigeria at a temporary premium compared to soybean meal, resulting in a modest rise in feed cost. However, as the report emphasises, pricing alone does not capture the strategic value. Shadow-price modelling placed DDGS’ cost-neutral value at roughly ₦610–₦620/kg. When operational benefits such as improved livability were factored in, the break-even point rose to ₦750–₦800/kg. In practical terms, a 20–25% spike in soybean meal prices or improved DDGS logistics could rapidly bring DDGS into cost parity. Such market fluctuations are routine in West African feed markets, making DDGS an important tool for risk management.

A Strategic Option for Feed Security

DDGS’ value proposition in Africa today is twofold:

A nutritionally sound, field-proven feed ingredient that is mycotoxin-free and already ground, reducing processing challenges.

A strategic hedge against protein and energy supply shocks, offering resilience in volatile markets.

As bulk import programs expand, the economics of DDGS strengthen. Large-scale vessel shipments into regional ports, aggregation across poultry, layer, and aquafeed sectors, and improved logistics coordination help stabilise landed costs. Markets that previously relied on bagged or containerised volumes often transition to bulk economics as adoption grows, positioning early DDGS users advantageously.

A Forward-Looking Feed Solution

The Nigerian trial confirms what many nutritionists have long suspected: DDGS can be successfully incorporated at commercial scale in Africa, with up to 20% inclusion in finisher diets without compromising production. More importantly, it highlights the significance of operational readiness. Mills that adopt DDGS now will move faster and trade smarter when price cycles and logistics favour the ingredient.
As Africa’s poultry and feed sectors mature, success will favour companies that combine technical rigour with procurement agility. DDGS provides a nutritional and strategic tool that helps producers move beyond a two-ingredient dependency, reducing exposure to maize and soybean price volatility. With supply chains deepening and bulk handling improving, DDGS is not merely an alternative—it is becoming a core component of modern African broiler feed.

Meriam Ben Saad, Administrative Assistant, Africa, U.S. Grains Council,said, "In this context, Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) has attracted growing attention in African feed and broiler companies. A recent commercial-scale trial in Nigeria, conducted in partnership with Amo Byng Nig.Ltd and supported by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, provides the most rigorous local evaluation to date. The study examined phased DDGS inclusion up to 20% under real-world conditions in southwest Nigeria, monitoring performance, carcass yield, livability, and economics.''

TPC not only reinforces its role as a key player in Tanzania’s sugar and energy sectors but also demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability.

TPC Limited is investing US$52mn to modernise Tanzania’s sugarcane value chain, with the construction of a new distillery in Moshi, Kilimanjaro.

The project is already 30% complete, with 70% of materials on site, and is expected to be operational by December 2026.

Once completed, the state-of-the-art facility will produce 16.3 million litres of Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) annually, along with 400,000 litres of technical alcohol for use in energy-efficient cooking stoves, reducing dependence on firewood and charcoal. Additionally, the plant will generate 8,000 tonnes of potassium fertiliser derived from molasses by-products to support more sustainable, chemical-free farming, and 400,000 litres of industrial-grade carbon dioxide for industries such as beverage manufacturing. A 6 MW power plant will also be installed, increasing TPC’s electricity contribution to the national grid from around 2–3 MW to 7 MW.

The expansion is expected to create approximately 1,800 jobs, prioritising youth employment and benefiting local communities. TPC’s strategic shift—from exporting raw molasses to producing higher-value industrial and energy products underscores the company’s commitment to both economic growth and sustainability.

Jaffari Ally, TPC’s CEO, noted that the new plant will enhance farmer productivity, while workers’ representatives highlighted that the project will strengthen competitiveness and improve wages as the company’s profitability grows. Politically, the launch coincided with celebrations marking over 20 years of partnership between the Tanzanian government and private investors under Sukari Investment, showcasing the success of public-private collaboration in driving TPC’s transformation.

The project supports Tanzania’s broader national priorities. By producing alcohol and fertiliser locally, TPC reduces import dependence, boosts government revenue through taxes, and adds value within the country. The technical alcohol contributes to cleaner cooking, while the power plant enhances sustainable energy supply.

Since privatisation in 2000, when 75% of TPC was sold to a private investor, the company has experienced remarkable growth. Sugar production increased from 36,000 tonnes to around 120,000 tonnes, while sugarcane yields rose from 66 to 150 tonnes per hectare.

Through this major investment, TPC not only reinforces its role as a key player in Tanzania’s sugar and energy sectors but also demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability, economic development, and community well-being.

Smart Climate Ag provides a practical roadmap for sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture in South Africa.

UPL Corporation has unveiled Smart Climate Ag, a climate-positive initiative designed for commercial row-crop farmers in South Africa.

The programme blends regenerative farming practices with biological and sustainable inputs, enabling farmers to maintain high productivity while reducing environmental impact.

A standout feature of Smart Climate Ag is the opportunity for farmers to generate and sell verified carbon credits, turning sustainable practices into tangible financial returns. During the pilot phase, UPL issued 26,102 carbon credits across 2,884 hectares, demonstrating that environmental stewardship can also benefit farmers economically.

The programme, developed in collaboration with carbon-project developer Orizon Agriculture and certified by Verra, a leading global carbon-standard body, promotes several key sustainable practices. These include cover cropping to protect and enrich soil, reduced tillage to preserve soil structure, lowering reliance on synthetic fertilisers, and the application of UPL’s NPP biosolutions to support soil health. Collectively, these methods enhance soil fertility, increase carbon sequestration, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately producing carbon credits that farmers can trade on the voluntary market.

Farmers involved in the pilot have praised the initiative for its long-term impact. Maize farmer Callie Meintjes from Free State explained her personal motivation: “We are borrowing [the land] from our children … I was taught to return something I borrowed in a better condition than it was before.” Her statement reflects a growing mindset among South African farmers who prioritise land stewardship alongside crop yields.

UPL plans to scale Smart Climate Ag beyond the pilot phase, expanding to additional crops, regions, and farmers. This growth aligns with the company’s broader Gigaton Carbon Goal, which aims to remove 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ by 2040. Marcel Dreyer, UPL’s Regional Head for Africa, highlighted the programme’s dual benefits: “By restoring carbon to soils, they improve soil health and maintain productivity — while the extra income from carbon credits provides greater financial security in a changing climate.”

The pilot, also known as “CarbonSmart,” has already demonstrated measurable benefits, including increased soil organic carbon, enhanced fertility, improved water retention, and additional income through carbon credits. By linking regenerative farming with market incentives, Smart Climate Ag provides a practical roadmap for sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture in South Africa.