‘South Africa needs to get on board with gene editing’

Andrew Bennett, CEO of the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency

HOW DID YOU EXPERIENCE 2023?

It was an exciting year, with a record soya bean crop and a good wheat crop too.

I am continually impressed with how all the different facets of agriculture in South Africa work together to achieve wonderful results.

From a South African Cultivar and Technology Agency perspective, it is wonderful to see the increase in the number of soya bean and wheat varieties being commercialised. These offer growers a much wider choice and equip them to be more productive under the expected drier conditions. Since the inception of the levy system in 2018 up until February 2023, the industry has had 56 new soya bean varieties and 46 new wheat varieties registered on the National Cultivar List.

Although these figures are not always commercialised, it is an indication of the upswing in research and development of new cultivars for open pollinated variety crops.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU THINK THE INDUSTRY WILL HAVE TO COPE WITH IN 2024?

I think the expected El Niño will present challenges for agriculture.

It will be interesting to see how the soya bean crop performs under much drier conditions with the new varieties that are available to growers.

I also believe that agriculture in South Africa needs to get on board with new gene editing regulations so as to come in line with the rest of the world.

This would allow access to new products, benefitting all growers as well as consumers.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU THINK THE INDUSTRY WILL HAVE TO FACE IN 2024?

Drier conditions will create new opportunities for new technologies and how they can be deployed.

LOOKING YEAR AHEAD, WHAT LEAVES YOU EXCITED ABOUT IT?

Observing how Artificial Intelligence impacts on agriculture, from assisting growers to make decisions on what crops to plant to how best to market their produce, will be particularly exciting.

ANY SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR THE NEW YEAR?

I would encourage all in the agriculture sector to keep working together to improve sustainability and productivity.

I know it is an old observation, but our population will double in the next 20 to 25 years and feeding a population of 120 million people will need us all to work together.

Vivian Jakobs, production manager at Du Toit Group’s Crispy Farming and winner of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s Agri Prestige Award.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE UPS AND DOWNS FACED BY FARMWORKERS IN 2023?

The increase in the minimum wage was welcome, but brought little relief to farmworkers because of the high cost of food and fuel and the impact of higher interest rates on loan repayments. Farmers, on the other hand, are also under financial pressure, with the price hike resulting in some of them downscaling their workforce and selecting workers more carefully to ensure they get good value for money.

On the positive side, there has been a greater focus on training over the past few years to upskill workers and ensure greater work efficiency.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM 2024?

It will be a difficult year if things continue as they are. Things are getting more and more expensive, resulting in people getting less food for their rand while their needs remain the same. I hope food and fuel prices will start to move sideways soon, for the sake of farmworkers and farmers.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR FARMWORKERS?

Addiction of especially young people in farming communities and in the broader community is heart-rending. Parents need to get more involved to help their children make better-informed choices and navigate these challenges.

HOW CAN FARMWORKERS CHANGE THEIR SITUATION FOR THE BETTER?

We as farmworkers need to change our thinking patterns. We often feel inferior to others and just accept things as they are.

We need to move past this and start standing up for ourselves. We are valuable people. Without us there would not be food to eat.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED?

Remember everything you do showcases your worth, so do your best and something positive will come of it.

WHAT IS YOUR WISH FOR FARMWORKERS IN 2024?

That they enjoy their work, and that more people will recognise their valuable contribution to food security and the economy.