By Invitation

South Africa is world-renowned for its biodiversity conservation and resultant variety of wildlife. However, public opinion is often divided on the subject of wildlife utilisation. Dr George Hughes, former chief director of the Natal Parks Board and CEO of its successor, Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife before retiring in 2001, explains why sustainable wildlife utilisation is essential for biodiversity conservation.

Adding to a farming operation or agribusiness is not simply a matter of obtaining more land. James Brand, senior associate in environmental affairs at law firm ENSafrica, discusses the legalities involved in securing water rights on additional land, and environmental authorisation for clearing indigenous vegetation.

Namibia is a reliable export and import partner for South Africa, and the two countries are closely linked politically and economically. This interdependency should be founded on mutual respect and support, says Roelie Venter, executive manager of the Namibia Agricultural Union.

Food and nutrition insecurity remains a major problem worldwide. Alan Dangour, Professor in Food and Nutrition for Global Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, explains how women in agriculture should be empowered to help address this situation.

South Africans must join hands and look beyond political differences to take the agriculture sector forward through one of the most challenging times it has ever faced, according to Gerhard Kriel, CEO of Free State Agriculture.

Many in the agriculture sector believe that government’s efforts to develop successful black farmers since 1994 have largely failed. Frans Cronje, CEO of the South African Institute of Race Relations, says this is because government spending is incorrectly prioritised, and that not nearly enough is being spent on farmer development.

Local and global demand for almonds is on the increase as consumers begin to favour healthier food. Saturated production in the world’s largest production regions presents South African farmers with an unbeatable opportunity to enter the international market, according to economist Gilberto Biacuana.

Newly-elected president of Wildlife Ranching SA, Tebogo Mogashoa, says transformation of the game industry and advocating for the legal trade in rhino horn will be among the top focal points for the organisation this year.

Many farmers are investing in new technologies that can help increase production and efficiency at farm level, but the uptake of digital trading technology has been slower. As a result, farmers are losing out on the opportunity to increase their share of profit earned along the agricultural value chain.

Global opportunities are opening up for South African vegetable producers and exporters with the emergence of new markets in some Asian and African countries. This is due to an increase in middle-income earners, says Ezra Steenkamp, deputy director of international trade research at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

A large body of literature claims that where there is a lack of food, conflict is bound to increase as people battle over limited resources. However, researcher Ore Koren suggests quite the opposite, saying that conflict is likely to increase when food sources are abundant.

The circulation of illicit arms has made cattle rustling more violent and harmful. East Africa has lessons to share on prevention, say Duncan E Omondi Gumba and Nelson Alusala of the Institute for Security Studies Africa.