Whoopee! It is Friday and for those not toiling passionately in primary agriculture, it means the end of another successful week on Mzani’s farming calendar.
Today Food For Mzansi tracks a site visit by the deputy minister of agriculture, an unexpected hike in food prices, a campaign calling for transparency on food packaging and updates that have been made to the fructose market forecast report. There is also a thought provoking webinar on gender inequality in agriculture happening over the weekend.
1
Department of agriculture celebrates female farmers
The deputy minister in the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development, Sdumo Dlamini, is headed to the Eastern Cape this morning to celebrate female farmers. The minister’s visit to the farmers in Fort Beaufort is in commemoration of women’s day and will take place at the Healdtown sports ground at 10:00. Only invited guests are permitted, as per the national covid-19 regulations.
2
Food prices are climbing again in SA
More penny-pinching days are expected for South Africans as reports show that the price of the average household food basket is on an upward trend again.
According to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity group, the cost for a basket of select and staple foods in Mzansi increased by R57,85 (1,7%) in August 2020.
The group says the upward trend is very worrying as increases are happening off a high base. They are unsure why prices have increased and adds that many of the disruptions that had caused food prices to spike from March, are no longer at play.
3
#Whatsinmyfood campaign launched
Flip the packaging of your favourite foods and you will find a long list of nutritional information, but what is really in the food you consume?
South Africans are invited to join the #whatsinmyfood campaign launched by the advocacy group Healthy Living Alliance. They are calling for bold and brutally honest warnings on food packaging, so that South Africans and make better choices about what they eat and stay healthy.
The group has done some digging to find out what is hidden in some of the food consumed daily – their findings are mind-blowing. They are now inviting interested individuals to visit their website and pledge support to take a stand against unhealthy food.
4
Updates to fructose market forecast
Updates have been made to the fructose market forecast and analysis report due to the covid-19 outbreak disturbing investment plans.
The report published by Future Market Insights offers a comprehensive assessment of the most important market dynamics and predicts how the market will grow in major countries including South Africa.
Apart from a market overview, readers are provided with information on various consumer behaviours. Risks and opportunities in the fructose market are also identified with various investment perspectives in the fructose market which can be useful to manufacturers.
The report can be accessed via the Future Market Insights website.
5
Webinar on dismantling gender equality in agriculture
In an effort to address the gender gaps in agriculture, the Progressive Socio-Economic Investment Institute is hosting a webinar titled ‘Dismantling Gender Inequality in the Agricultural Sector: What must be done to close the gender gap.”
The thought-provoking virtual event takes place Saturday, 29 August at 12:00. The event will be facilitated by Sediko Rakolote via Zoom, but also streamed live on Rakolote’s Facebook page. For login details, interested individuals can send an SMS with their name and surname to to 071 463 4492.
