mage crops and in
growth is so dense
rop becomes nearin
vertebrate pests
od security while
like the red-billed
evastating impacts
heat, sorghum and
half million strong
quelea will make
hectare wheat field
o harvest. Rats and
red grain crops and
that they consume
n tonnes of stored
e. Apart from congrown
for human,
consumption, they
angerous microbes
Eschirichia coli that
tening diseases in
rowth season, it is
cterial and viral ininfections
like the
virus are extremely
destroy vast tracts
infections can be
ds a very intensive
e which includes
her patterns. Fusart
one pathogen, is
ease that can kill a
l.
e other fungi and
rop and the correct
o infest and destroy
ngal diseases is awtely
for farmers the
knowledge base is exceptionally good
and diseases can be managed effectively
with the correct spray programmes. A
factor to consider for food supply and
food safety is post-harvest diseases.
One often finds fresh produce on the
shelf that is rotten and that is due to
post-harvest pathogen infections. This
becomes a big issue when post-harvest
treatment is either not done or poorly
implemented for fresh produce to prevent
fungal and bacterial infection. No
one likes to see green mould on citrus,
and no one will buy or eat such foodstuffs
anyway.
Effective and environmentally compatible
pest management
Plant pests, diseases and weeds need to
be managed to ensure sustainable crop
production and food security. South Africa
is blessed with a wide range of registered
plant protection products that fulfils 95%
of the needs of farmers to protect their
crops. Changes in the climate, market demands,
market preferences and government
performance in terms of registering
plant protection products all play a role in
planning plant protection programmes.
Lobby groups and disinformation often
taint certain plant protection products
with false information which leads to negative
regulatory interventions.
Regulators often fail to take food security
into account when wiping plant protection
products off the table. A good example
is the continuous fight about glyphosate
and the potential impact of banning
it on food security. One must also bear in
mind that food security is not only having
good supply to all people but also affordable
supply of essential foodstuffs. Going
organic may sound idyllic but what is the
cost going of such foodstuffs going to
be? Put your thinking cap on!
Grassroots Vol 20 No 2 June 2020