Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Artificial intelligence and technology in 2026
Farmer's Weekly
|January 2-9, 2026
For 2026, Farmer's Weekly will be focusing on the overarching theme of artificial intelligence and technology, and the importance of this in sustainable and long-term farming.
Every new year presents an opportunity to reflect, improve and respond to the shifting landscape of agriculture.
In 2026, Farmer's Weekly is embracing this challenge with renewed focus and purpose. We are pleased to share the editorial direction that will guide both our print and digital platforms in the year ahead, an approach designed to meet the fast-evolving needs of the sector, while maintaining our longstanding commitment to delivering reliable, accurate and uplifting content to readers across Southern Africa and beyond.
A recent visit to the launch of a state-of-the-art solar plant installed by 2 Zero 50 Solar at Mooigezicht farm in the Hex River Valley illustrated the pace and scale of change now shaping our industry.
The event, attended by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, underscored this momentum. Steenhuisen noted that projects such as the Mooigezicht installation represent precisely why government has invested heavily in the Agro-Energy Fund, to assist farmers in reducing their reliance on the grid for more profitable, sustainable farming.
LIVED REALITY ON MANY FARMS
This story is from the January 2-9, 2026 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Farmer's Weekly
Farmer's Weekly
Infrastructure, policy, and finance will be the African continent's growth drivers
Africa's agricultural potential is vast, but inefficiencies in infrastructure, trade policy, and finance limit growth. Investments in transport, cold storage, irrigation, and digital trade systems, among others, are key to unlocking faster, cheaper, and more efficient agricultural trade.
3 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
SAPPO Academy showcases skills development and small business success
The South African Pork Producers' Organisation (SAPPO) Academy, a training organisation that promotes animal, environmental, and public health in the pig industry through knowledge transfer, recently hosted a mini development symposium in Pretoria. The event included an afternoon of meaningful dialogue, strategic learning, and leadership exchange, effectively bridging academic insight with real-world industry innovation.
3 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Backing for SA Canegrowers as sugar imports soar
Coenie Snyman, winemaker and founder of Rock of Eye Wines, was named the 2025 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year for his Rock of Eye Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, while Marnich Aucamp, assistant winemaker at Stellenbosch Vineyards, won the Young Winemaker of the Year award for his Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc 2024 at a gala dinner near Kleinmond in the Western Cape.
1 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
New or used? A practical guide to second-hand farm equipment
Second-hand farm machinery can deliver excellent value, if you know what to look for. Western Cape equipment broker Debbie Smit gave Lindi Botha practical advice to help farmers decide when to buy new, when pre-owned is the smarter choice, and how to avoid the costly pitfalls that often catch buyers off-guard.
4 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The story of the Drakensberger beef cattle breed's evolution in Africa
The Drakensberger cattle breed has been part of the South African landscape for ages. So-called black indigenous cattle existed in South Africa as early as the 15th and 16th centuries and formed the foundation of the current Drakensberger beef cattle breed.
4 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Man vs machine - which works best in SA's farming sector?
South African farmers have embraced both mechanisation and staffing solutions to improve farm level efficiency. Sabrina Dean investigated the pros and cons of both and filed this report.
9 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
SA's poultry industry must be more inclusive and sustainable
In spite of great progress made over the past 30 years in South Africa's poultry value chain, setbacks such as avian influenza and trade restrictions are calling for official intervention
2 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
An introduction to forward contracts and commodity futures for South African farmers
The agriculture sector is notoriously volatile, but producers can find stability using financial derivative tools. This article clearly defines and differentiates between two key instruments: forward contracts and futures contracts.
3 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Less tillage, more life: the machines and techniques behind soil recovery
Soil health is the foundation of global food security, environmental quality, and agricultural sustainability. According to expert Dr Hendrik Smith, reversing the cycle of soil degradation requires the continuous application of regenerative conservation agriculture principles, with no-tillage cultivation being nonnegotiable.
4 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Five Joburg hotels that make business a pleasure
Even with its well-documented problems, Johannesburg remains the centre of business in South Africa. And unlike some cities with their mountains and oceans, you'll get value and quality for a fraction of the price at these hotels. There are also great views in the mix. By .
6 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size