Agriculture: the key to our food security
Agriculture is one of South Africa’s most important industries
and accounts for a large percentage of our GDP. It’s already
a large employer, has potential to create more jobs and is a
major driver of investment. But, reports suggesting that thousands
of commercial farmers could give up their land are distressing,
especially when considering that agriculture is essential to
our food security.
Farmers need support from both government and investors to grow
otherwise they’re likely to seek opportunities outside
SA. Many farmers are already doing this and more will follow
suit if government can’t relax its regulations and pending
policies.
The recent green paper on land reform has done little to put
minds at ease and makes farming less attractive. If implemented,
it would limit farmers’ ability to expand their land and
instill less confidence in the sector. On the contrary farming
needs to become more attractive so we can limit our dependence
on imports and increase investment in agriculture.
For the agriculture sector to grow farmers are going to need
the support of government in the form of subsidies and legislation
that is conducive to large scale investment. Once there is a
receptive environment for large scale food production, it will
become viable for skilled farmers to ply their trade here in
South Africa. The knock on effects of a vibrant agricultural
sector will very soon be felt throughout the economy by increased
employment, lower food inflation, foreign investment and a reduced
trade deficit.
Without policy and financial support the future of agriculture
in South Africa looks dismal. This would represent a huge oversight
since we have the resources to guarantee food security and make
farming sustainable.
Wendy Smith and Craig Ballantyne
P.S. Look out for this editorial on our editor’s blog.
Please feel free to make comments or raise new issues by emailing
the editor |
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New Products
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Bob
Martin enters the dog food market
Tried and trusted market leader Bob Martin - whose iconic
Bob Martin Condition tablets have kept South African
pets in excellent shape since 1892 – has expanded
its product bouquet into pet food territory with a brand
new and comprehensive dog food range: Bob Martin Complete
Condition - dry dog food.
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Super
Fruit brings innovation to nectar segment
Super Fruit MultiVit’s 1 litre Orange and Tropical
flavours are enriched with vitamins C and A, and a selection
of B vitamins including B1, B3 and B6. These vitamins
aid in essential bodily functions such as the release
of energy from glucose, promote a healthy immune function
and help the body’s protein metabolism.
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Lucky Star enhances its SA Sardine range
Lucky Star, South Africa’s favourite canned
fish brand, has introduced two exciting new variants
to its market leading sardines range, offering consumers
wider choice and added convenience.
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Sunbake
has launched the ultimate in“on the go taste
Sunbake, a subsidiary of Foodcorp (Pty) Ltd has launched
a brand new “on the go taste” with the
creation of a new standard muffin. Available in a
sumptuous Rich Choc Chip, packed with chunks of chocolate
and an opulent Vanilla Choc Chip flavour, speckled
with delicious chocolate.
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Johnson’s®
is shaping up in the Hand category.
JOHNSON’S® Naturally Soft 24 Hour Moisture
Hand Cream has just received a brand new look for
moisture protection. This wonderfully soft balm is
designed to leave hands feeling soft even after washing.
It combines skin conditioners, moisturiser and softening
oil – and soaks in to boost 24 hour hydration
to relieve 3 signs of dryness.
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Sparkling
new formats
Ceres Sparkling’s new 275ml slim can and 750ml
glass bottle packaging formats have made the popular
carbonated fruit juice convenient for a broader scope
of customer.
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Bourbon
Vanilla and Coffee Extracts impart genuine flavours
Staffords have led the South African way with fine food
for the best part of a century. Ask any consumer which
brand they really trust, and the truthful answer will
be Staffords. Those who appreciate the finer things
in life know that Staffords condiments make great meals
into a gourmet experiences.
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Featured Brands
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Alpen
Foods
The Alpen Food Company is part of the international
Weetabix Food Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom,
producers of well known and highly popular leading cereal
brands in that country. Alpen uses identical technologies
and product recipes at its production facility in Cape
Town to those used at its parent Company in the UK.
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Aspen
Nutritionals
As a manufacturer of Infant Milk Formula, Aspen Nutritionals
strives to uphold the International Code of Marketing
of Breast-milk Substitutes as set out by the World Health
Organisation. The World Health Organisation recommends
exclusive breastfeeding for up to six months. |
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Liquor News
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Summer
debut for Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Fleur du Cap, acclaimed for exceptionally elegant Unfiltered
wines, has released a new Sauvignon Blanc vintage that
will work its magic this summer. From rich Namibian
oysters, asparagus and crisp salads doused in vinaigrette
to spicy Thai dishes, new Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Sauvignon
Blanc 2011 is the quintessential summer food wine. |
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KWV
Brandy rakes in local and international awards
KWV Brandy has asserted its position as one of the world's
best brandy producers with the winning of a record number
of local and international awards recently. On October
10, the KWV 10 Year Old Brandy took top honours as Best
Brandy in the World at the International Spirits Challenge
(ISC) in London. |
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OBIKWA
Sauvignon Blanc 2011 wins Best Value Award
OBIKWA has shown once again that it has what it takes
to produce wines of quality that are enjoyable, eco-friendly
and affordable, by winning yet another Best Value Award
in the 2012 Best Value Wine Guide for wines priced under
R60 a bottle. |
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The
Cape Wine Academy reaches 100 000 students milestone
Since its inception 32 years ago in 1979, over 100 000
students have enrolled for various Cape Wine Academy
courses throughout South Africa. Approximately 50 000
of these students attended various tertiary institutions
at which the Cape Wine Academy provides the wine module.
These institutions include cookery schools and universities. |
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Featured Retail
Services
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Primedia
Face 2 Face
Primedia Face 2 Face provides marketers with a unique
opportunity to bridge the gap between above- and below-the-line
conventional media by providing the necessary mix of
numeric distribution and face-to-face communication. |
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Promotional
and display systems
Specialising in the promotional industry, offering a
wide range of demonstration, sampling & promotional
tables. Whether you looking for a small table to a larger
kiosk, for in- store promotions, sampling beverages
at bottle stores or for cooking up a storm at Trade
shows.
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Retail Services
News
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Thirsty
Thoughts: Milk Substitutes
Milk substitutes cover milk powders (full cream, skim
and blends) as well as powdered creamers. BMI quantifies
this market annually and has a wealth of volume, value
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Create
the right skills mix to offer powerful software service
(Accsys)
In terms of software service delivery, the most expedient
way to achieve operational efficiency is to implement
a balanced mix of IT skills and domain knowledge. This
is the view expressed by executive management at Accsys,
a national supplier of management solutions within HR,
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control. |
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Employers
must prepare themselves for scheduled changes to PAYE
(Accsys)
Approved changes to the PAYE governing medical aid contribution
and claims, applicable in the 2012/2013 tax year, has
stemmed from a move towards a credit system. This will
definitely impact payroll administration and also usher
in changes to payroll software. |
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Multiple
wins for Nampak at 2011 Gold Pack Awards
Nampak, Africa’s largest packaging group, has
won a total of 14 awards at the 2011 Gold Pack Awards
during a glittering ceremony held in Cape Town on the
evening of Tuesday 25th of October. The Nampak Group
won ten gold medals, three Best in Category awards,
and the prestigious Star of Africa award. |
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FMCG Jobs
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Managing
Director: Commodities
A leading FMCG manufacturer, wholesaler and distributor
of dry foods in West Africa seeks to appoint a Managing
Director for one of its key businesses with emphasis
on gaining further market share in West Africa. |
Key
Account Manager (Regional) Gauteng
An internationally renowned category leader in the FMCG
industry, are looking to appoint an Account Manager
to head up the Spar account as well as a number of other
smaller accounts at a regional level. |
Financial
Manager Gauteng
A leading international service provider to the FMCG
industry, is looking to appoint an experienced Financial
Manager to head up a new business unit. |
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Events
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New
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When: 4 Nov 2011 – 5 Nov 2011
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Food
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When: 22 Mar 2012 – 23 March 2012
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Cards
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2012
When: 13 Mar 2011 – 14 Oct 2011
Venue: Earls Court, South Hall, London |
Retail
World Africa 2012
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