Agri Online – Terms & Conditions / Content Use Policy
UPDATE – 22 September 2026
New Section Added: Agri Online Original News, AI-Assisted Editorial Content & Newsroom Operations
This update adds specific terms relating to Agri Online’s production of original news and editorial content and its use of artificial-intelligence tools in editorial research and content production.
The remainder of the Terms & Conditions remains unchanged.
For clarity, this update does not replace or discontinue Agri Online’s use of RSS feeds, embedded media, third-party feeds, links, syndicated content or other content-distribution and discovery methods described elsewhere in these Terms. Agri Online may continue to use such services alongside its own original editorial content.
AGRI ONLINE ORIGINAL NEWS & EDITORIAL CONTENT
In addition to content made available through RSS feeds, embedded media, third-party feeds, links and other external sources, Agri Online may produce and publish its own original news reports, articles, analysis, summaries and other editorial or informational content.
Agri Online may research information from multiple publicly available and reasonably verifiable sources in preparing its own editorial content.
Sources may include, but are not limited to, government departments and agencies, legislation, regulations, Government Gazettes, court records, public registers, official statistics and datasets, agricultural and commodity organisations, producer bodies, research institutions, universities, companies, international organisations, public statements, recognised news organisations, official public social-media communications and other relevant sources.
The use of information from an external source does not mean that Agri Online claims ownership of that source’s original content.
Agri Online distinguishes between reporting underlying facts and information and reproducing copyright-protected expression or other proprietary content.
Where Agri Online independently reports information obtained through research, it aims to produce its own wording, structure, context, analysis and editorial presentation and to provide attribution where required or editorially appropriate.
AI-ASSISTED EDITORIAL & NEWSROOM OPERATIONS
Agri Online may use artificial-intelligence tools and other automated technologies to assist its editorial and newsroom processes.
Such tools may assist with activities including, but not limited to:
• identifying potential news developments;
• locating and researching publicly available information;
• identifying and comparing sources;
• analysing and organising information;
• analysing documents and publicly available data;
• fact-checking and verification assistance;
• preparing and refining article drafts;
• translation and language assistance;
• headline and summary development;
• search-engine optimisation;
• preparation of publishing information; and
• creation of AI-generated or AI-assisted editorial illustrations and other visual material.
AI tools assist the editorial process but do not create additional rights to third-party material.
The use of an AI system to locate, analyse, summarise or otherwise process publicly available third-party material does not mean that Agri Online acquires ownership of that material or has an unrestricted right to reproduce it.
Agri Online aims to use AI-assisted research as part of an editorial process designed to identify and verify the underlying facts, consult appropriate sources and create original Agri Online editorial content.
THIRD-PARTY PUBLISHERS & ORIGINAL NEWSGATHERING
News reports and other publications produced by third-party publishers may be used to identify matters of potential public or agricultural interest and, where appropriate, as sources of information.
Where reasonably possible, Agri Online may seek additional or original sources concerning the underlying event, including official documents, public records, statistics, research, industry information, company statements and other publicly available evidence.
Agri Online does not intend to use AI or other technologies to disguise the copying, rewriting or reproduction of another publisher’s protected expression.
Agri Online does not intend its original editorial content to reproduce another publisher’s article merely by changing wording, translating the article or substituting words while retaining substantially the same protected expression.
Where information originates from another publisher’s exclusive interview, private correspondence or other original newsgathering, Agri Online may seek to independently establish the relevant facts through publicly available sources.
Where material information originating from another publisher is relied upon and cannot appropriately be independently established, Agri Online may attribute that information to the originating publication or source where appropriate.
Nothing in this section is intended to prevent Agri Online from reporting facts, matters of public interest or current events, or from making any use of material permitted by applicable law.
RELATIONSHIP WITH RSS & THIRD-PARTY CONTENT
Agri Online’s original editorial operations exist alongside, and do not replace, the RSS, embedded-media and third-party-content functions described elsewhere in these Terms.
Accordingly, content appearing on the Platform may include:
• original Agri Online news and editorial content;
• AI-assisted Agri Online editorial content;
• third-party RSS feed content;
• third-party article previews and links;
• embedded audio, podcast or video content;
• syndicated or externally supplied material;
• user-submitted listings;
• advertising and sponsored content; and
• other forms of content that may be introduced from time to time.
Different content types may have different authors, owners, sources and applicable rights.
Where content is supplied through an RSS feed, embed, external link or other third-party mechanism, ownership of the underlying third-party content remains with the applicable publisher, creator or rights holder unless expressly stated otherwise.
Nothing in this update transfers ownership of third-party content to Agri Online.
Likewise, nothing in this update prevents Agri Online from continuing to add, remove, change or use RSS feeds or other third-party content sources in accordance with these Terms and applicable law.
ACCURACY, DEVELOPING INFORMATION & CORRECTIONS
Agri Online aims to use credible and reasonably verifiable sources when preparing original editorial content. However, news and agricultural information may change rapidly, and information considered accurate at the time of publication may subsequently be corrected, updated or superseded.
AI-assisted research and drafting may also produce errors, omissions or inaccuracies despite editorial and verification processes.
Agri Online therefore reserves the right to correct, clarify, update, supplement or remove editorial content where appropriate.
Readers, organisations and other affected parties may submit factual corrections or updates to:
admin@agrionline.co.za
The submission of a correction request does not automatically require Agri Online to remove or alter content. Requests may be assessed against available evidence, the public interest, applicable law and Agri Online’s editorial considerations.
AI TRANSPARENCY
Where appropriate, Agri Online may disclose that artificial-intelligence tools were used to assist with the research, drafting, translation, production or preparation of particular editorial content.
Such disclosure does not mean that the content was produced solely by an AI system, nor does it alter any applicable copyright, source-attribution or third-party rights.
The separate terms governing interactive AI-powered advisory features, including “Oom Jan”, remain in force and are not replaced by this editorial-content update.
CLARIFICATION OF EXISTING RSS PROVISIONS
References elsewhere in these Terms to Agri Online displaying headlines, excerpts, summaries, source identification and links to original publishers relate specifically to third-party content displayed through RSS feeds, embedded media, syndicated feeds or similar third-party content-distribution mechanisms.
Those provisions do not mean that Agri Online operates solely as an RSS aggregator, nor do they prevent Agri Online from conducting its own research and publishing original Agri Online news, editorial and informational content.
Where Agri Online publishes an original Agri Online article, the article may report and contextualise facts and information independently researched from multiple sources. Such an article is distinct from an RSS preview or third-party feed item.
Agri Online does not claim ownership of the underlying third-party source materials merely because those materials were consulted during research. Copyright and other rights in third-party articles, photographs, graphics, recordings, datasets and other protected material remain with their respective rights holders, subject to applicable law.
Agri Online may hold rights in its own original editorial expression, presentation, branding, graphics and other original material created for the Platform, without claiming ownership of underlying facts or third-party source material.
Nothing in the existing RSS provisions should be interpreted as stating that Agri Online’s only editorial activity is the display of RSS feeds, excerpts or links to third-party publishers.
UPDATE – 7 March 2026
New Section Added: AI-Generated Content & Advisory Features
This update adds specific terms for the AI chatbot “Oom Jan”. The remainder of the document remains unchanged.
AI-Generated Content & Advisory Features
The Platform includes AI-powered features, including but not limited to interactive chat tools such as “Oom Jan”, which provide general information, suggestions and educational guidance related to farming, agriculture, livestock, crops, equipment, markets, insurance and related topics.
All AI-generated responses and content are provided strictly for general informational and educational purposes only. They do **not** constitute professional agronomic, veterinary, financial, insurance, legal, technical or any other form of expert advice.
Users must independently verify all information, recommendations, calculations, suggestions or guidance received through AI features with appropriately qualified professionals (including registered agronomists, veterinarians, financial advisors, insurance brokers or other relevant experts) before taking any action, applying any product, making any financial or insurance decision, or relying on such information in any way.
Agri Online expressly disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, cost, expense or consequence (whether direct, indirect, special, consequential or otherwise) arising from the use of, reliance on, or inability to use any AI-generated content or advisory features, even if such loss was foreseeable.
Users access and rely on AI-generated content entirely at their own risk and discretion.
Date Published: 14 Feb 2026
These Terms & Conditions govern your access to and use of the Agri Online website, application, listings platform, and related services (collectively referred to as “the Platform”).
By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.
1. Content Syndication, RSS Feeds & Embedded Media
In simple terms: when a content creator or publisher makes content publicly available via an RSS feed, public channel, or official embed functionality on a hosting platform, that content becomes technically available for indexing, embedding, and referencing by third-party platforms and aggregators that link back to the original source.
Agri Online uses these feeds exactly for that purpose: to reference content, display limited previews, and direct users back to the original publisher or hosting platform. At no point is ownership transferred, nor is content copied, modified, or re-hosted.
If a publisher prefers not to be indexed or displayed by third-party platforms, this can typically be managed via the publishing platform’s distribution or privacy settings, or by requesting removal from specific aggregators.
2. Platform & RSS Feed Behaviour
Agri Online operates on a content platform that supports importing external RSS feeds for articles, audio/podcasts, and video content.
RSS items are displayed strictly based on the metadata supplied in the feed itself. In some cases, individual items do not include a clearly exposed publisher or source field. Where this occurs:
Each feed is placed within a clearly titled and labelled section on the Platform (e.g. News – [Publisher], Videos – [Publisher], Podcasts – [Publisher])
The section title clearly identifies the content source
When an item is opened, a short excerpt or snippet is displayed
A “Read more” / “Listen” / “Watch” button directs users to the full original content hosted by the publisher
Although the source may not always be displayed at item-card level due to feed structure, clear attribution is provided through section labelling and direct destination links.
3. News Articles (RSS Feeds)
Agri Online does not republish full articles. Where article RSS feeds are used, we display:
Headlines
Short excerpts or summaries only
Source identification at section level
A direct link to the full article on the publisher’s website
The full article content remains hosted and controlled by the publisher at all times.
This approach is designed to be consistent with fair dealing principles for reporting current events under Section 12(1)(c) of the South African Copyright Act 98 of 1978. Excerpts are limited to what is reasonably necessary, and attribution and linking are always maintained.
Reference:
https://www.gov.za/documents/copyright-act
4. Audio / Podcast Content (RSS Feeds & Embedded Players)
Podcast RSS feeds are intentionally created to allow distribution across multiple platforms, directories, and applications.
Agri Online displays podcast content using official RSS feeds or embedded players only:
Audio files are streamed directly from the original hosting platform
Files are not downloaded, copied, edited, or re-hosted
Ownership, branding, and control remain with the publisher
Relevant platform Terms and Conditions include:
https://www.spotify.com/terms
https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/
https://www.buzzsprout.com/terms
https://help.captivate.fm/en/articles/3566803-terms-of-service
5. Video Content (Embedded Players & Video RSS Feeds)
Video content is displayed using official embedded players or publicly available video RSS feeds provided by the hosting platform.
Videos stream directly from the originating platform
Videos are not downloaded or re-hosted
Attribution, branding, and links to the original source are preserved
Relevant platform Terms and Conditions include:
https://www.youtube.com/t/terms
https://developers.google.com/youtube/terms/api-tos
https://vimeo.com/terms
These platforms explicitly provide embedding and RSS functionality as part of their content distribution model.
6. Listings Submitted by Users (Marketplace / Classifieds)
Agri Online allows users, businesses, and third parties to submit listings via the Agri Online listings engine.
By submitting a listing, the user confirms that:
They own the content or have the legal right to publish it
The information supplied is accurate to the best of their knowledge
The content does not infringe on any third-party rights
The content complies with all applicable South African and international laws
Agri Online:
Acts solely as a hosting and discovery platform
Does not verify, endorse, or guarantee listings
Is not a party to any transaction between buyers and sellers
Agri Online reserves the right to remove listings that are misleading, unlawful, offensive, or in breach of these Terms.
7. Advertising & Sponsored Content
Agri Online offers advertising and sponsored placements across its website and application.
Advertising content:
Remains the responsibility of the advertiser
Must comply with applicable laws and advertising standards
May be displayed alongside editorial, syndicated, or user-generated content
The presence of advertising does not imply endorsement by Agri Online.
8. User Conduct
Users agree not to:
Submit unlawful, misleading, defamatory, or offensive content
Infringe on intellectual property or proprietary rights
Interfere with the operation, security, or integrity of the Platform
Use automated systems to scrape or misuse Platform content
Agri Online reserves the right to restrict or terminate access for violations.
9. Accuracy, Availability & Limitation of Liability
While Agri Online aims to provide reliable and up-to-date information:
All content is provided “as is”
Agri Online makes no warranties regarding accuracy, completeness, or availability
Agri Online shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss, damage, or reliance arising from use of the Platform or third-party content
Users access and rely on content at their own discretion.
10. Indemnification (Global)
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Agri Online, its owners, directors, officers, employees, contractors, partners, licensors, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, proceedings, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees), arising out of or related to:
Your use of the Platform
Any content you submit, publish, upload, or distribute
Any third-party content accessed or referenced via the Platform
Any alleged infringement of intellectual property or proprietary rights
Any breach of these Terms or applicable laws
Any transaction, interaction, or dispute between users or third parties
Any reliance placed on content, listings, advertisements, or external media
This indemnification applies globally, regardless of jurisdiction, and survives termination of use.
Agri Online reserves the right to assume exclusive control of any matter subject to indemnification.
11. Ownership and Removal
Agri Online does not claim ownership of third-party content. RSS feeds, embedded media, listings, and advertisements are used solely to reference content and direct users to original sources.
Content owners may request removal by contacting Agri Online with the relevant details, and such requests will be acted on promptly.
12. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
Any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of South African courts.
13. Amendments to These Terms
Agri Online reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions at any time.
Continued use of the Platform after changes are published constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
14. Contact Information
For legal notices, content removal requests, or general enquiries:
Agri Online
Email: admin@agrionline.co.za
Website: https://www.agrionline.co.za