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Solar energy could boost water supply

Farmer's Weekly

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Farmer's weekly 4 August

Renewable electricity research conducted on KZN's North Coast could bolster the local economy

- Jyothi Laldas

Solar energy could boost water supply

In a time when load-shedding is at its highest and badly affects water provision, which has a knock-on effect on various industries, especially agriculture and food production, a new study into using solar energy to augment power provision for a water treatment plant in rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) could light the way forward for many in South Africa.

The feasibility study into improving electricity efficiency and installing renewable energy at the Sundumbili water treatment works in the iLembe District Municipality, northern KZN, was conducted through the Vuthela iLembe LED Support Programme.

The programme is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and implemented in partnership with the KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the iLembe District Municipality and the local municipalities of KwaDukuza and Mandeni. It aims to improve the economic future of iLembe residents through sustainable economic growth of the local economy.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

South Africa's unique coral trees

Every year in late winter, South Africa's eastern coastal belt is set ablaze with the scarlet and orange flowers of certain coral tree species from the genus Erythrina. Mike Burgess investigates the diversity of this special category of highly adaptive deciduous trees that includes the peculiar ploughbreaker.

time to read

2 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Jaecoo J5 is ready to make waves

Chinese carmakers have been growing their local market share at the rate of knots over the last few years. The introduction of the Jaecoo J5 will further ensure the upward curve

time to read

2 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Farm watches take charge of rural safety

With rural crime on the rise and police resources stretched thin, farm watches across South Africa are stepping up to protect farming communities. These volunteer-led safety networks are preventing millions in losses, deterring criminal activity and helping police solve major crimes, proving that when farmers unite, the benefits ripple far beyond the farm gate.

time to read

8 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

How to start a farm watch in your area

Rural safety initiatives like farm watch systems are guided by the framework laid out in the national Rural Safety Strategy. Dr Jane Buys, safety risk analyst for Free State Agriculture, talks Sabrina Dean through the concept of a farm watch and how to establish one

time to read

9 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

'Farm attacks are a national crisis'

The rural safety crisis in South Africa remains dire, with farm attacks and murders continuing at alarming rates. This calls for rural crimes to be declared priority crimes as a matter of urgency, according to

time to read

3 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Advancing real-time data collection in South African agriculture

Dr Mahlane Godfrey Kgatle, Research Coordination Manager at Grain South Africa, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how the Information Hub at Innovation Africa, University of Pretoria, is transforming agricultural research through real-time data integration and collaboration across disciplines.

time to read

3 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Stellenbosch in November: a seasonal gem and the perfect time to visit

Brian Berkman suggests you clear your diary to spend more time in November in the beautiful Eikestad.

time to read

3 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Adapting to the Climate Change Act: how agro-processing SMEs can build resilience

Wynand Deyzel, commercial sales manager at Solenco, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how the Act is shaping the operational durability of small to medium-sized agricultural enterprises and the role of indoor air management in adapting to climate impacts.

time to read

3 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

KWV shines at Veritas Awards with top accolades

KWV made history at the 35th Veritas Awards when it clinched the prestigious Duimpie Bayly Vertex Trophy – the award for the best wine in the show, excluding Museum Class Wine – for the second year in a row and third time overall.

time to read

2 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Co-operation needed to build a resilient food system

From governments and international organisations to farmers, researchers, businesses, and consumers, including the youth, everyone has a role to play in shaping the transformation of agrifood systems of the world

time to read

2 mins

November 7-14, 2025

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