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Agbiz CEO on rising costs in agriculture
 Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, addressed the Undercover Agriculture Conference and Expo on the impact of sharply rising costs on Agriculture in Pretoria this week. It is especially administered pricing (prices set by government, e.g. electricity, fuel, minimum wages, water, etc.) that are rising way above the inflation rate, undermining competitiveness of the industry, driving food inflation and ultimately putting household food security at risk. Increasingly, our challenge is to produce more with less, and technology development and adoption is critical to improve efficiencies and overcome the ever-present cost-price squeeze agriculture operates under. Please click to peruse presentation»
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World Bank Report: Growing Africa - Unlocking the potential of Agribusiness
After years of neglect, agriculture is once again seizing the attention of African governments, business leaders, communities, and development donors, as a powerful driver of the continent's relentless growth.
Africa now earns an average of 24 per cent of its annual growth from its farmers and their crops. If matched with more electricity and irrigation, smart business and trade policies and a dynamic private agribusiness sector that works side by side with government to link farmers with consumers in an increasingly urbanized Africa, the World Bank estimates that agriculture and agribusiness
together could command a US$ 1 trillion presence in Africa's regional economy by 2030. Click to peruse the World Bank report released on Monday, 4 March 2013
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BUSA presentation to Parliamentary Finance Committee
 Prof Ramond Parsons, special economic advisor to BUSA, presented BUSA's position on the recently tabled National Budget 2013/14 to the Parliamentary Finance Committee in Cape Town on Tuesday, 5th of March 2013. This is compelled reading in order to gain better insight into the economic and other challenges currently facing South Africa. Please click to peruse BUSA's presentation. If you have not read the previous issue of the Agbiz Newsletter, click here for Agbiz' response to the budget» |
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NAMC Food Price Monitor - February 2013
 The January 2013 Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) showed that the headline CPI was 5.4 % between January 2012 and January 2013. The previous Food Price Monitor (FPM) of November 2012 reported that the food and non-alcoholic beverage index increased by 6.3 % between October 2011 and October 2012. Since the last report, the inflation rate on food and non-alcoholic beverages increased on a year-on-year basis by 7.0 % in November 2012 and reduced to 6.9 % in December 2012. Inflation on food and non-alcoholic beverages reduced to 6.2 % in January 2013. Please click to peruse the February Quarterly Food Price Monitor.
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Monsanto acquires plant trait developer Rosetta Green
 Monsanto Company this week announced it has completed the purchase of substantially all of the assets, and assumption of certain liabilities, of Rosetta Green Ltd. Rosetta Green develops improved plant traits for agriculture using RNA technology. Rosetta Green experts specialise in the identification and use of unique genes to guide key processes in major crops including corn, soybeans and cotton. Read media release»
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Electronic BUSA Bulletin
 In BUSA's quest to continuously improve communication with members, the organisation will from now on also be using its newsletter to communicate the key resolutions taken by its Management Committee (MANCO). Linked are the the key resolutions taken by BUSA's MANCO at its meetings in the last four months.
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Werksmans Newsletter
 A number of issues relevant to the agribusiness environment are covered in this Werksmans Newsletter, including:
* Exemptions from the minimum wage for farm workers: a how-to guide.
* NERSA makes unaffordable tariff charges more palatable.
* New Competition Commission on the southern and east African block commences operations.
* Werksmans e-Learning Tool: Competition Law.
* Namibian Competition Law: Revised threshold after withdrawal of initial merger regulations.
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FEWSNET Price Watch
 The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) monitors trends in staple food prices in countries at risk of food insecurity. The linked Price Watch provides an update on trends in selected urban centers. Trends for key reference markets and commodities are made available in the Price Watch Annexes.
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Position of Management Accountant, Agbiz
The position of Management Accountant has became available at Agbiz. The successful candidate should meet the following criteria:
* Be in possession of a B.Compt or B.Comm (Acct), or any other equivalent and relevant graduate qualification.
* Must be skilled to operate financial systems, such as Pastel and VIP Payroll, or other equivalent programmes, as well as be fully computer literate.
* Relevant work experience of 5 years minimum is a strong recommendation.
A self-motivated and dynamic manager is essential. Problem-solving and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to work in a team at strategic and operational level, are required. Good numerical, analytical and conceptualizing skills required. Must have good interpersonal skills, as well as good written and verbal communication skills. Must be able and willing to do other ad hoc and administrative and office management tasks. More information»
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Position of CEO, Land Bank advertised
The term of the current CEO of the Land Bank, Mr Phakamani Hadebe, comes to an end during 2013. Mr Hadebe, after his sterling work with the turnaround strategy of the Land Bank, has unfortunately opted not to renew his contract as CEO of the Land Bank. The Land Bank Board, in conjunction with National Treasury, has embarked on a process to identify a suitable candidate for the position. Please click to peruse advert»
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Agri Works Farmers Expo
8 - 10 March 2013 | Mentors Country Estate | Jeffreys Bay
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Bien Donné Agri Cape Week
17 - 20 April 2013 | Simmondium | Western Cape
For more information contact Marianna du Plessis at 082 337 6127 or email: africa@agrimega.co.za
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PMA Career and Bursary Fair
25 April 2013 | Stellenbosch University | Stellenbosch
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Precision Farming Congress
25 April 2013 | North-West University | Potchefstroom Campus
For more information contact Astrid Hattingh at 082 853 6228 or email:
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Agribusiness Indaba 2013
23 May 2013 | Sandton Convention Centre | Sandton
For more information contact Gilly Ramalekana at e-mail: Gilly.Ramalekana@abn360.com
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Zambia Copperbelt Mining and Agricultural Show 2013
29 May - 2 June 2013 | Kitwe | Zambia
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2013 IFAMA World Forum
18-20 June 2013 | Atlanta, Georgia USA
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AMT South African Agri Outlook Conference
30 September 2013 | CSIR Conference Center
Enquiries: 012 348 8344 or 27 12 361 2748 or email: minda@amtrends.co.za
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