Brazil has placed emphasis on efficient management of pastureland in order to improve livestock health. This is complemented by the adoption of improved production systems. farmersweekly.co.za/animals/…

From growing up in a small Northern Cape town to becoming a pioneering scientist, Dr Marinda Visser expanded her horizons to lead vital national research partnerships, championing biosecurity and mentoring agriculture’s next wave of leaders. Read more: bit.ly/3RU6S69 #Womeninagriculture #FarmersWeeklySA

A panel discussion on structural reform and business-government partnerships as drivers of economic growth formed part of the opening session on the first day of the #AgbizCongress2026. The panel was facilitated by Tanya Cohen and featured Prof Johan Kirsten, director of the Bureau for Economic Research at Stellenbosch University; Lunga Maloyi, director of economic policy at Business Unity South Africa (BUSA); and Prof Ferdi Meyer, managing director of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP). The discussion focused on the role that partnerships and strategic alliances play in driving operational improvements across the economy and advancing structural reform. Panelists noted that while policies, regulations and institutional frameworks have been established, challenges relating to human and institutional capacity remain. These constraints are often compounded by a lack of political and administrative will to implement reforms and bring initiatives to fruition.

Congratulations to the new @AgbizSA leadership elected during the organisation's members' meeting at the #AgbizCongress2026 in Gqeberha. PG Strauss was elected chairperson, while Lukeshni Chetty and Francois Swanepoel were elected deputy chairpersons. The newly elected Steering Committee members are Boitshoko Ntshabele and Tobias Doyer. The other elected member representatives are: • Dewald Olivier • Dr Thomas Funke • Liesl Breytenbach • Marlene Louw • Piet Smit “This leadership reflects the spirit of this year’s Congress theme, ‘Embracing Collaboration’, as we continue engaging on the future of a competitive, sustainable and inclusive agribusiness sector,” said Agbiz CEO Theo Boshoff. Photo: @ToitMagda

In her welcome address at the 2026 @AgbizSA Congress in Gqeberha, Dr Lukeshi Chetty, general manager of the South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR) and second deputy chairperson of Agbiz, said that in a time of great change, the congress provides an opportunity for stakeholders to share expertise across the sector. She added that gatherings such as the #AgbizCongress2026 create an ideal platform to discuss solutions to the challenges facing the industry while recognising the realities in which the sector operates. “We believe in the future of agriculture and the country. Agriculture has always been about people, feeding communities, stewarding resources and steering the industry towards the future. We have always been able to innovate and adapt to the opportunities and challenges facing the sector and to meet changing consumer expectations,” she said.