Here at Zylem, we walk, talk, live and breathe soil health. But what’s the big fuss about? Read on to learn more about soil health, why it is so important, and how we can improve soil health in agricultural systems in South Africa. In this post: What is soil health? A soil health definition: The significant role of soil The …
In the July 2020 issue of FarmBiz magazine, Johan van der Waals, Real IPM Technical Manager, explores the effect that invasive plants have on soil health. Although many invasive species have little to no negative impact on soil health, it’s clear that certain species can be detrimental. Invasive plants can have negative impacts on: Biodiversity Growth of surrounding or affected …
Carbon is an essential building block of life on Earth. It is found virtually everywhere, from the air to the oceans, animals, plants, rocks and soil, which holds the largest portion of active carbon on Earth. Carbon is critical to soil productivity and function, and is thus a major component of overall soil condition and health. In an age of …
Poultry manure is considered rich in essential nutrients and is often used as fertiliser in organic agriculture, conventional farming, horticulture and in home gardens. When used as a fertiliser, the application of poultry manure is intended to increase crop production, but new evidence has found that manure that contains glyphosate (also known as Roundup) residues can have the opposite effect. …
As we’ve discussed previously, feeding the world’s growing population is set to become a major challenge in years to come. Achieving food security through the intensification of global food production is vital, but the world’s current trends in food consumption are simply unsustainable in terms of costs to public health, the environment and socio-economic costs. That’s why it’s imperative for …
“Agroecology has the potential to change the way we ‘do agriculture’. We hope that our comprehensive research agenda will help to chart the path to sustainable, diversified agriculture and biodiversity conservation in the future.” Professor Teja Tscharntke, co-author and Head of the Agroecology Research Group at the University of Göttingen. Humans depend on farming for survival. But it’s this very …
Many African communities lack the capacity to respond or adapt to the impacts of climate change, leaving the continent vulnerable to changing conditions. Warming trends have already become evident across the African continent, along with changes in precipitation patterns. Increasing temperatures and changes in rainfall put even more pressure on strained African agricultural systems. Pressures from pests, weeds and diseases …
“Coupled with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment and food prices, and spiralling government debt, South Africa has an impending multidimensional crisis to address.” Writing in his personal capacity for the Daily Maverick, Professor Raymond Auerbach (a member of the boards of the SA Organic Sector Organisation and the Agricultural Research Council) says that new cuts to South …
In celebration of Women’s Month, we take a look at the role of women in agriculture … We know that when women are active participants of the agricultural economy, the benefits extend way beyond their own livelihoods. Women in farming help to improve the lives of their families and communities too. Studies have found that addressing some of the constraints …
Sustainable farming measures recognise the beneficial role played by insects, and dung beetles are one of the most helpful critters out there. Dung beetles have their name for a reason: the many species of dung beetles found worldwide spend their days breaking up, burying and rolling dung, which helps to put essential nutrients back into the soil, fosters plant growth …