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Confidence remains positive amongst agribusiness decision-makers
The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index increased to 56.7 index points in the second quarter of 2013. This is a mere 4% higher than the preceding quarter, but 5% lower than the second quarter of 2012. As more agribusiness decision-makers are confident about the agribusiness environment, the flattening out of the recovery trend, since the all-time low in the third quarter of 2009, continues. Read more»
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AgriBEE Implementation Workshop
The Agbiz hosted the first of two AgriBEE Implementation workshops on 6 May 2013.
Considering the requirement in the new BEE legislation, Agribusinesses who need to obtain an AgriBEE Scorecard, and those who have to convert their scorecards based on the generic codes to the AgriBEE Sector Codes, attended. The focus of the workshop was on implementation and attendees found valuable information and guidance on how to go about it in their respective organisations.
John Purchase presented on the changes in the legislation; Melcus Nel provided insights on the background and facts regarding AgriBEE and Frans van Wyk dealt with the implications and implementation aspects. According to the feedback attendees found it extremely valuable.
The workshop also discussed the need for an AgriBEE Working Group, which will provide agribusinesses with a platform and point of reference where they can lodge enquiries and questions and where information, list of service providers and list of implementation agencies will be kept updated and available. Agbiz will facilitate this platform to assist agribusinesses to implement AgriBEE and to ultimately achieve success in terms of transformation in the sector
The next workshop will follow similar programme and will be hosted in Paarl on 3 June 2013. Please contact the Agbiz for more information, or to register.
AgriTV also attended the AgriBEE Implementation Workshop and will broadcast some of the highlights on the TV Programme - Growing Tomorrow - on SABC2 tomorrow morning at 05h30. |
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Call for comment on Carbon Tax Policy Paper
 The Carbon Tax Policy Paper, Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and facilitating the transition to a green economy has been released for public comment. This is the second and final round of comments requested on carbon tax policy, before government proceeds with the publication of draft legislation to give effect to carbon taxes later this year for implementation from 1 January 2015. Agbiz members are requested to submit comments to Agbiz admin@agbiz.co.za by 15 June 2013. Click here to peruse the the Carbon Tax Policy Paper» |
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BUSA urges caution on carbon tax
 BUSA welcomed the publication by the National Treasury of the updated carbon tax policy paper and endorses the need for a second round of comments on carbon tax policy, before the government intends to proceed with the publication of draft legislation to give effect to carbon taxes later this year for implementation from 1 January 2015. While BUSA has consistently supported the need to move to a lower carbon intensive economy as being in the long run interests of South Africa, it believes that the carbon tax proposal needs to be further critically interrogated. Read media statement» |
Evaluation of irrigated agriculture report
 Within the National Development Plan 2013, agriculture is identified as a key driver of food security, job creation and the social upliftment of rural communities. Many of the potential winning industries that have been listed in the plan are dependent on water. In fact, water takes on a role as critical strategic resource within the National Development Plan. With an increasing demand for water in industries such as mining/electricity generation and the rapid growth in demand by domestic/urban growth, agriculture finds itself in a tight space within government's new National Water Resource Strategy 2 (NWRS-2) framework of water allocation, taxes and quotas. This puts forward the current debate between conflicting parties competing for water in South Africa and the need to fully evaluate the impact of water as a key component in the agro economic sector. Click here to peruse the study in this regard commissioned by the South African Irrigation Corporation (SABK) and undertaken by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) and PULA strategic resource management.
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The Global Competition for Talented People
- Marcos Fava Neves and Roberto Fava Scare  The business of agriculture is entering a new era which requires a different type of human resource management and skill development. To meet the challenge, how do we attract people who possess the talents needed to fill the food and agribusiness jobs of the future? Click to read the article This article was published in the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review Volume 16, Issue 2, 2013. |
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NAMC and PPECB submit Strategic Plan and Budget to Parliament
 This past week the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) submitted its Strategic Plan and Budget for 2013/14 to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture in Parliament. Please click on NAMC Stratplan to peruse. Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, serves as Council Member of the NAMC. PPECB submitted the linked Strategic Plan and Budget 2014 -2017.
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Werksmans Labour & Employment e-Bulletin
 The Werksmans Labour & Employment e-Bulletin is a monthly newsletter on developments in labour legislation as well as important CCMA arbitrations and case law. The newsletter is compiled by members of the Werksmans Labour and Employment team. In this issue:
* Automatically unfair dismissals
* Fulfilling conditions of employment
* Intention to review BCEA earnings threshold
* The Protection of Personal Information Bill: Implications for employers.
Click here to read the newsletter online.
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Big Iron Farm Show 2013
10-12 September 2013 | Fargo North Dakota | USA
Join the African delegation to the The Big Iron Farm Machinery Show in the Upper Midwest, USA. North Dakota specializes in large scale, mechanized crop production, including one of the biggest varieties of crops in the USA. This expo is not like many other ag machinery trade shows, as visitors get a chance to see U.S. farm machinery in use in the fields; and meet personally with equipment company owners, operators and farmers who use the equipment. In addition, an extensive International Visitors Program provides comfort and ease to buyers seeking to learn more about American farming practices and equipment. More information»
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Mozambique Business Seminar on Transport Infrastructure
22 May 2013 | Protea Balakaika Hotel | Sandton
Programme»
Please register before 15 May 2013.
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Agribusiness Indaba 2013
23 May 2013 | Sandton Convention Centre | Sandton
Mrs Lindie Stroebel, Manager Economic Intelligence at Agbiz, will be chairing the session on Food Security - Fighting Hunger in Africa.
For more information e-mail: Mudzithe.Phiri@abn360.com
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 Agbiz AgriBEE Implementation Workshop3 June | Cape Town | Click to register online
For more information contact Lindie Stroebel at email: lindie@agbiz.co.za
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The Fertilizer Society of SA Congress
19 June 2013 | Elangeni Hotel | Durban
Theme: The role of fertilizers and soil fertility in human nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa.
Enquiries: Leonè Joubert, Tel: (012) 349 1450, e-mail: leone@fssa.org.za
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2013 IFAMA World Forum
18-20 June 2013 |Atlanta, Georgia USA Early bird registrations end 1 May 2013
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Infrastructure Africa Conference
16 - 17 July 2013 | Sandton Convention Centre | Sandton
More information
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PMA Fresh Connections & Expo14-15 August 2013 | Lord Charles Hotel |Somerset West PMA Fresh Connections Conference & Expo Contact Marianne van der Laarse for information on PMA membership, sponsorships and the expo: mvanderlaarse@pma.com
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Potatoes South Africa Congress
10-12 September 2013
For more information contact Monica van der Merwe at 012 349 1906 or email: monica@potatoes.co.za
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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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