Western Cape commodity groups commit to farmer development

The private sector has shown its commitment to developing black smallholder farmers in the province, with all 11 of the agricultural commodity groups that have been part of the Western Cape department of agriculture’s commodity approach to land reform, signing new MOUs last week. Under the commodity approach, the commodity groups have committed to helping black smallholder farmers and land reform beneficiaries become more successful through access to markets for their goods, mentorship and training. The commodity groups have also contributed funding and in-kind support towards the implementation of successful…

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Petrol price to have devastating impact on small businesses

RUSTENBURG – The latest petrol increase by over a rand will have a devastating impact on small businesses over a period of time, the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) in North West said on Friday. “This increase will without a doubt lead to increases in transport and food prices,” spokesperson Tshepang Ramosepele said. “This week’s petrol hike will further strain small business as more people spend less or cut spending on products and services offered by small businesses. Some businesses might even close as has happened due…

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Kenyan man starts leather bags for kids business in SA

DURBAN – At school Samson Kabiro became known as “the kid who does cartoons”. He says he is not sure where that talent came from but as soon as he had a pencil or a crayon in his hand, he would start to draw the faces of his school mates and teachers. “I used to study their features really closely then I would put it down on paper in a cartoon style. It only took me a few minutes. I had books of them.” But in the small Kenyan village where…

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SA maize stock sufficient to cover 2019

CAPE TOWN – South Africa has a sufficient maize stock of nearly 18 million tons this season says the Grain Handling Organisation of Southern Africa (Gosa).The organisation said on Friday that its members effectively handled 17.5 million tons of grain, produced locally and imported during the past season. Gosa’s retiring president, Annatjie Loio, announced this recently during the organisation’s 36th annual general meeting held at Langebaan on the west coast. Loio said an estimated total of 13 million tons of grain will be received, financed, stored, transported, fumigated and processed…

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