It is no secret that our country encompasses the entire spectrum of development: from some of the most sophisticated financial systems in the world to traditional barter practices in deep rural areas; from consumers who only buy certified organic foods to households who can barely afford the basics.
The same spectrum applies across the entire agricultural value chain and should form the backdrop to any discussion of challenges and their solutions. This means that global challenges present themselves differently here and that our responses must be locally informed. This also means that while spectrum adds complexity, it offers diversity of responses.
That said, here is my take on three challenges local producers face.
Climate change, soil erosion and loss of biodiversity
South African farmers have long been stewards of the land, but we need to change our ways if we are to continue producing, especially at the levels required by a growing global population.
Soil health is a major part of the answer to how we deal with climate change, soil erosion and biodiversity loss. You can only play the hand you’re dealt, and in South Africa that hand consists of soils with very low organic content. Soils in the high yield potential region of Wesselsbron in the Free State, for example, have an organic matter content of less than 0.5%. Compared to the 4-6% organic matter found in Illinois, USA, we are practically farming in a desert! This means that American agricultural practices cannot automatically be replicated here.
Our response must focus on soil conservation practices. Living plant material throughout the year adds organic content to the soil and prevents erosion from wind and/or flooding – the kind of extreme weather conditions that are occurring with increasing regularity.
Conservation tillage irritates some growers, since crop debris, weeds and even some rotational crops provide habitat for insects and fungal diseases. But they also harbor useful organisms.
The answer to this conundrum lies in an integrated approach including chemical crop protection and strategic cultivation. The days of plowing for the sake of plowing are over. We simply cannot afford to lose organic matter in the form of CO2 just because tradition tells us when to do what. Cultivation must be done deliberately and consciously.
Technology versus jobs
Farming is a numbers game where economies of scale make all the difference. In the developed world, this leads us directly to technology and automation. In South Africa, the situation is less straightforward due to the realities of work and the social responsibility of all employers to keep their employees employed.
This doesn’t mean we should shy away from technology, however. Quite the contrary: we should use technology to deploy our workforce in the most efficient and productive way possible. Automation may not be appropriate in all circumstances, but the precision that technology enables should be sought to minimize input losses and environmental impact.
A tool like Cropwise Operations, for example, illustrates this principle. Cropwise Operations is a digital platform that offers a comprehensive management system for crop monitoring, planning and record keeping. Using the Internet of Things (IoT), it integrates with sensors in agricultural equipment and weather stations to simplify precision agriculture. As a result, growers can reduce their inputs, including fertilizers, pesticides, diesel and irrigation water, while still getting the most out of each application.
The same goes for using drones for reconnaissance and information gathering. The purpose of using technology is therefore different, but its value remains undisputed. I think such an approach goes a long way in easing the tension between technology and employment.
Changing consumer preferences and expectations
Consumers in developed countries are demanding sustainably sourced food, putting pressure on producers both in terms of agricultural practices and the inputs, particularly pesticides, that they are allowed to use. But it is also true that first world consumers are not the only ones who exist. Millions of people in our own country and around the world struggle not to go to bed hungry. This does not mean that they can be treated as a dumping ground for substandard or even dangerous food; this means that we are not all competing for the same market and that producers can and should adapt their practices to the market they wish to serve.
Export requirements to the USA and EU in particular are in some cases unreasonable and unnecessary and significantly increase the cost of production. Choosing to serve a different market – with equal quality but with fewer hurdles to jump through – can have a big impact on a farm’s profitability.
A growing preference for locally sourced foods also opens up opportunities for producers and could prove a way to alleviate long-distance transportation costs and the terrible state of rural roads.
A more nuanced approach to meeting consumer needs and preferences can further help producers better cope with global economic changes. Diversifying crops, exploring niche markets and creating strong networks are all ways to improve the resilience of individual producers and local industry.
Despite its challenges, agriculture remains a particularly satisfying path. More than a career choice, it is a commitment to the future of humanity and the planet. Thanks to technology, agriculture is no longer an isolated existence, but it remains one that keeps us connected to the very essence of life. Looking at the sector’s challenges from a slightly different perspective highlights all of its opportunities.
