Cold Link Africa November December 2024 | Page 8

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Food security for socio-economic stability By Eamonn Ryan

At the 2024 Global Cold Chain Alliance ( GCCA ) Africa annual conference , the keynote presentation was delivered by Johann Kotzé , CEO of AfgriSA , on the topic ‘ Food Security for Socio-Economic Stability ’.

Image by Freepik

The keynote began with a powerful assertion : " Food security is number one ." Kotzé emphasised that agriculture ' s primary purpose is to contribute to global food security . Unlike other sectors that can be temporarily sidelined or adjusted , food production is a fundamental necessity . He compared the essential nature of food to energy , noting that while one can manage without electricity in a pinch , survival without food is impossible .

Kotzé presented data on global population growth . He noted that the world ’ s population grew significantly over the past century , with projections suggesting a future population of 10 billion by 2050 . Despite this , he highlighted that reducing food waste — currently estimated at 35-40 %— and increasing productivity could help feed the growing population .

Urbanisation presents both challenges and opportunities for agriculture . In the early 20th century , 90 % of the world ’ s population were subsistence farmers . Today , this number has dramatically shifted , with approximately 55 % of people living in urban areas , and projections indicating that 68 % will be urbanised by 2050 .

He noted that while urban agriculture , such as rooftop gardens , is beneficial , it is insufficient on its own to feed large populations . Instead , the onus is on commercial agriculture and large-scale farming operations to meet the food demands of an increasingly urbanised world .

Climate change was another key issue . Although droughts have always been a part of farming , the frequency and intensity of these climate events have increased . Climate change is affecting farming practices , with shifts in crop viability and growing conditions . The speaker highlighted a visit to COP 28 , where the overwhelming consensus was that climate change is a reality that will influence agricultural policies and practices . This acknowledgment of climate change is crucial for shaping effective strategies and regulations in the agricultural sector .

Unlike conventional scaling methods , organic growth requires expanding farming practices into new areas and improving efficiency to meet the demands of a growing population . The current method of farming and production will not suffice ; innovation and adaptation are essential .

Approximately 30 % of agricultural produce is exported to Africa . Despite the availability of funds , logistics remain a significant barrier . For example , traveling 60km to a large farm could take up to three hours , illustrating the logistical hurdles that impede efficient food distribution and trade .

While the continent is often referred to as the ‘ breadbasket ’, the reality is complex . Kotzé emphasised that Africa is a net importer of food rather than self-sufficient . The sheer scale of the population growth — expected to double in less than 25 years — combined with the youth demographic ( average age of 18.8 years ), presents a dual challenge and opportunity for agriculture to support a growing and youthful population . This demographic shift requires innovative solutions and substantial investment in the cold chain to ensure food security .

Agriculture is crucial to Africa , with 25- 30 % of the continent ' s economic activities tied to the sector . Approximately 48 % of Africans depend directly on agriculture for their livelihoods . This dependence underscores the importance of supporting and enhancing cold chain practices to improve food security across the continent .

Providing access to tools and resources that enhance productivity and sustainability is vital for bridging the gap between commercial and small-scale farming .

Kotzé addressed the often-overlooked contributions of small-scale farmers . Despite challenges , these farmers play a significant role in food security and their impact on local food supply cannot be underestimated .

RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES WITH FREE TRADE

The African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ) offers potential benefits but also presents risks . One major concern is biosecurity . Kotze explained that while free trade could open new markets , it also increases the risk of spreading diseases due to varying levels of biosecurity standards among countries . In regions where financial resources are limited , maintaining robust biosecurity measures becomes challenging , which can have repercussions for the entire agricultural sector .

There is a need for effective policy and performance measurement , requiring the setting of Key Performance Indicators ( KPIs ) for agriculture and the cold chain . Food security should be a primary KPI , moving beyond mere slogans to actionable metrics . To this end , the Economist Impact , powered by Corteva Agriscience 1 , developed an index that evaluates countries based on affordability , availability , quality , and safety of food . This index serves as a conceptual framework for assessing and improving food security on a global scale .

The first component of affordability is the ability of consumers to purchase food . This includes vulnerability to price shocks and the presence of support mechanisms when such shocks occur .

In Africa , policies and programmes to support consumers during price shocks are often lacking . This makes it crucial for agricultural stakeholders to find ways to make food more affordable . For instance , in the context of the livestock industry , significant advances have been made in improving food conversion ratios . Over recent years , genetic improvements have enhanced meat production efficiency , such as achieving a better conversion ratio in pork production . By reducing the cost of production and making food more affordable , the industry can better support vulnerable populations .

Poverty remains a significant barrier to food access . In South Africa , around 40 % of the population is considered poor , which severely impacts their ability to purchase food . The agricultural community must strive to lower production costs and improve the affordability of food , thereby directly addressing poverty and food insecurity .

Kotzé highlighted the importance of government support and collaboration . Initially , there was resistance from the agricultural community towards government policies . However , the

Supplied by GCCA .

Johan Kotze , CEO of AfgriSA .

approach shifted towards seeking ways to support and work with the government , leading to more productive outcomes . The current government of national unity in South Africa provides an opportunity for more balanced policymaking .

The second index discussed , availability , focuses on agricultural production capabilities and efforts to expand output . Enhancing on-farm capabilities requires investments in technology , training , and resources . This includes improving farm management practices and adopting innovative techniques to increase productivity . Expanding agricultural output involves both scaling up existing practices and exploring new methods to increase efficiency and yield . This could involve investing in research and development to introduce more resilient and productive crop varieties or improving livestock breeding practices .

DATA UTILISATION AND INTELLIGENCE IN AGRICULTURE

A critical challenge identified is the need to leverage data more effectively . The agricultural sector often faces the issue of being data-rich but intelligence-poor . Much of the data generated in agriculture is siloed within different organisations and companies . There is a need to integrate this data to create a more comprehensive view of the industry . This involves aggregating data from various sources , such as farm equipment manufacturers and genetic companies , to generate actionable insights .

The goal of creating intelligence is to transform raw data into meaningful intelligence that can drive better decisionmaking and improve agricultural practices . This could involve developing sophisticated analytics tools to interpret data and provide insights into optimising production ,

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