'It's important to get the right tool for the job'

The adoption of technology is crucial to sustaining efficiency gains and beating the cost-price squeeze in the agriculture sector.

- Lindi Botha

Speaking at the Case IH media day held in early February in Pretoria, Gauteng, speakers noted that while technology required a high level of investment, the long-term gains in increased productivity were worth it. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, said fertiliser made up 35% of grain farmers’ input costs. Pesticides made up 13%, with fuel taking a bigger chunk, although this fluctuated with the fuel price.