A couple of years ago, adaptability was needed in the agricultural environment. Today, this is still one of the key drivers for survival in a global arena, but equally important is identifying beneficial partnerships with the ability to find co-operative and creative solutions for the many challenges facing the sector.
This ability is particularly important in creating food certainty as defined in the Agri SA congress manifest.
“Food certainty is different from food security. It is something more. Food certainty depends on the ability to buy food that is safe, available and affordable, with money earned from being employed, from viable and sustainable businesses that pay taxes that are used to build and maintain infrastructure and services. This is a sustainable view on food certainty,” said Lindi Stroebel in her opening address as programme director at the congress.
Phineas Gumede, vice-president of Agri SA, added that food certainty went further than affordability, availability or accessibility. “Infrastructure and a sustainable approach is imperative to achieving the basic level of food certainty. This is what the agriculture sector needs to not only to produce food, but to make food available in the value chain.”
He ended his welcome with a stern warning: “A country that lacks a strong organised agriculture sector supported by government and social structures will fail dismally in providing food to feed its citizens.
Jaco Minnaar, re-elected Agri SA president, stressed in his address: “As individuals and as a collective, we should all put a shoulder to the wheel to address and improve all the factors that impact food security. We can’t look back in 10 years with regret because we failed to address today’s challenges. The time to act is now.”
Denne historien er fra November 03, 2023-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.
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Denne historien er fra November 03, 2023-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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
