Ensuring Sustainable Food Systems in Africa
Farmer's Weekly|February 18, 2022
"It is imperative that Africa’s policies, regulations and infrastructure support the global solutions proposed to improve food security on the continent, the authors of this article argue."
Ensuring Sustainable Food Systems in Africa

The year 2021 was one of critical conversations about global agrifood systems, which are the processes and methods through which farming produces and markets food. Following on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and a rise in global poverty, 2021 saw urgent calls to transform food systems if the world is to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal targets by 2030. The UN Food Systems Summit in September 2021 was a call to action and a challenge to nations to build ‘transformed’ food systems. It was followed by the development of the African Common Position, which outlines how countries on the continent plan to heed that challenge.

Then came the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), where nations adopted the Glasgow Climate Pact. Sustainable, resilient agrifood solutions are, after all, crucial to mitigating the effects of climate change.

If commitments are met, these high-level dialogues have the potential to shape the trajectory of Africa’s agrifood system over the next decade. But how can global conversations be internalised into systems?

How does the continent build sustainable, resilient food markets? And what roles do private sector role players and public policymakers play?

TRANSFORMATION WILL TAKE TIME

Denne historien er fra February 18, 2022-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra February 18, 2022-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA FARMER'S WEEKLYSe alt
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
Farmer's Weekly

Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid

A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom

time-read
2 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
IPM requires a completely different mindset
Farmer's Weekly

IPM requires a completely different mindset

You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them

time-read
2 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Farmer's Weekly

Does parrot farming protect wild species?

Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.

time-read
3 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Farmer's Weekly

Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic

Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.

time-read
6 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
Farmer's Weekly

Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming

The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.

time-read
5 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farmer's Weekly

Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms

Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.

time-read
6 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
Farmer's Weekly

The impact of theft on farms in South Africa

A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.

time-read
5 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
Farmer's Weekly

Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze

John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.

time-read
8 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Farmer's Weekly

Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month

Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.

time-read
1 min  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
Farmer's Weekly

SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'

The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.

time-read
2 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024