The International Society for Infectious Diseases' program, ProMED, has reported the detection of Pepper ringspot virus (PepRSV) in both seed and commercial potato varieties across several South African provinces. This information was relayed to ProMed subscribers on January 9, 2024, based on data from the International Plant Protection Convention.
Climate change is disrupting the Canary Islands' ecosystems, shifting the blooming period of almond trees, traditionally in January. The changes, closely watched by scientists, beekeepers, and farmers, are particularly impacting species and habitats.
Rio Grande do Sul is known for its coastal fruit cultivation, especially during summer. However, this year's climate issues have affected the growth of the region's fruits. The planting of watermelons, a staple in the region, was delayed due to heavy rainfall, resulting in a 20% reduction in the sown area.
Chilli prices in Telangana witness a 16-25% decline, despite farmers reporting crop damage from pests. Modal prices of popular varieties drop, triggering discontent among farmers demanding ₹25,000 per quintal.
California is grappling with a major agricultural issue, as a tiny insect wreaks havoc on the state's farming industry. On Wednesday, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his plan to allocate $22 million towards tackling the problem.
Harold Stewart, owner of Stewart Avocado Farms in Fallbrook, has expressed concern over the state of his avocado crop. The farm, which houses approximately 2,000 avocado trees, has seen a significant decrease in fruit production this year, which Stewart attributes to recent cold weather conditions.
Delta farmers have appealed to the state government to announce reasonable compensation for those who lost their crops in the recent rain so that they can take up pulses and oilseed cultivation.
With bitter cold descending on the Okanagan Valley this week, there is concern in the wine industry about vines being killed again by the freezing temperatures.Ben-Min Chang, a scientist at the Summerland Research and Development Centre, said he's uneasy about the temperatures forecasted for this weekend that may push grape vines past survival.
The so-called Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (for short: RYMV) is responsible for high crop losses in Africa, particularly among small-scale farmers. A research team from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) has now produced rice lines that are resistant to the disease by means of genome editing.
Opium farmers in the Mandsaur district are facing distress over potential crop losses caused by ground frost due to the drop in temperatures and prevailing cold wave conditions in the area.
Monterey County has enacted a mandatory abatement program for select weeds as part of an effort to contain the impatiens necrotic spot virus, or INSV, which has severely impacted the region’s lettuce crop in recent years.
In 2023, the compensation provided to Israeli farmers for damages caused by extreme weather conditions saw a 13% increase from the previous year, as reported by Kanat, an insurer for the agricultural sector against nature-induced losses.
The average December rainfall for the province reached nearly 350mm, about 107mm more than the previous season’s rainfall and 136mm more than the 10-year average.The South African Weather Service reported that severe thunderstorms with strong damaging winds, hail and heavy downpours led to the localised flooding of roads, settlements and bridges.
Mango supply is still limited thanks to the El Niño phenomenon and the subsequent winter rains. “Aside from smaller sized mangos, the rain brings additional quality concerns on harvested fruit, so we employ a more strict quality control at the farms and packing facility,” says Ana Paula Jacome of dVida.
Drenched fields and overflowing rivers painted a grim picture across eastern South Africa. The wet start to the year, particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, had transformed into a devastating reality.
Farmers could be set to benefit from government grants of up to £25,000 through the Farming Recovery Fund Defra has said.The support has been made available for those affected by Storm Henk through the Flood Recovery Framework, which is used in exceptional circumstances to support councils and communities following severe flooding.