Thoboloko Ntšonyane

Edited Grapevine DNA Boosts Resistance to Disease and Drought, Study Finds

Researchers at Stellenbosch University have published new findings demonstrating that targeted DNA editing in grapevines can significantly improve their resistance to both disease and drought, marking a major step forward for plant biotechnology in Africa. The study explored how grapevines respond to environmental stress and infection by using gene-editing tools to modify specific genes associated…

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Horse Sickness Outbreak Kills 67

Lesotho’s livestock sector is under renewed threat after an outbreak of African Horse Sickness (AHS) claimed the lives of 67 horses, raising urgent concerns over disease control, animal movement and the country’s overall biosecurity readiness. The outbreak, confirmed by Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Thabo Mofosi in Parliament this week, has already spread…

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Makhalanyane pushes for policy shift on farming inputs procurement

Chairperson of the Social Cluster Portfolio Committee, who also serves as the Chair of Chairpersons in Parliament, Mokhothu Makhalanyane, has called on the government to stop procuring farming inputs. Makhalanyane, the Member of Parliament for Mokhethoaneng Constituency No. 27, made the remarks during the Committee of Supply debate on the 2026/2027 Estimates of Expenditure from…

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New Laws to Combat Agricultural Smuggling

Thabo Mofosi, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition, has introduced stringent new regulations aimed at combating agricultural smuggling. These regulations are designed to enhance controls, strengthen enforcement, and impose harsher penalties on offenders. The Agricultural Marketing (Products Control and Subsidies Input Protection) Regulations 2026 were presented to Parliament this week and will take…

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Science Journalism Key to Informed Societies

PRETORIA- Science journalists from around the world recently gathered in Africa for the 13th World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ), where experts called for accurate, accessible, and responsible reporting of science to empower societies to make informed decisions and foster resilience. The five-day conference, held in Pretoria, was the first global gathering of science journalists…

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Safeguarding Soils, Vegetation and Wildlife for a Sustainable Future

PRETORIA – Healthy ecosystems are essential for the survival of both humans and animals. Soils, vegetation, and wildlife form an interconnected system that sustains life by providing food, clean water, shelter, and environmental stability. When one element is damaged, the entire system begins to unravel, leading to serious consequences for biodiversity and livelihoods. Fertile soils…

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