Agriculture urged to lead the way in keeping South Africa food-secure

Grain producers make a significant contribution to South Africa's food security, but greater effort should go towards creating a more sustainable future for the industry, according to speakers at the recent 2023 Grain SA Congress. Annelie Coleman reports.

- Annelie Coleman

South Africans ought to recognise the country’s grain producers for the role they play in terms of food security. Nonetheless, the industry itself needs to take decisive steps to prevent food insecurity in the long term. This was according to Sam Rolland, director of sub-Saharan Africa at the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network.

Speaking at the 2023 Grain SA Congress held recently at Nampo Park near Bothaville, Rolland said the probability of the world not being able to produce enough food was escalating markedly. Increased volatility and uncertainty could be expected on markets over the next five to 10 years.

He added that the prices of gas, oil and base metals would continue at high levels for as long as the Russia-Ukraine war lasted.