How one nation's farming revolution can feed Africa | Wandile Sihlobo | TEDxJohannesburgSalon

Summary

The African continent faces significant challenges in food security, with a large portion of its population living in poverty and spending over $80 billion annually on food imports. South Africa serves as a notable exception, demonstrating agricultural productivity comparable to global standards. Key factors contributing to its success include secure land rights, robust public infrastructure, embrace of scientific advancements in farming, limited government intervention in food markets, support for diverse farming scales, and strong political representation for farmers. However, South Africa also grapples with disparities between large-scale and smallholder farmers, indicating a need for policy reforms and investments in infrastructure to bolster the agricultural sector across Africa.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Africa faces a significant challenge in food self-sufficiency, with many countries struggling to feed their populations and a large number of people living in poverty.
• 🌱 Climate change and natural disasters exacerbate food insecurity, with pandemics like COVID-19 further deepening poverty and hunger on the continent.
• 💵 Africa spends over $80 billion annually on food imports, highlighting the need for increased agricultural productivity and self-sufficiency.
• 🇿🇦 South Africa serves as a notable example within Africa, demonstrating significant improvements in agricultural productivity, particularly in staple grains like maize.
• 🏡 Secure land tenure in South Africa encourages investment in agriculture, contrasting with many African countries where informal land rights hinder investment.
• 🚧 Robust public infrastructure in South Africa supports the agricultural sector, including processing facilities and transportation networks, which many African countries lack.
• 🔬 South Africa embraces scientific advancements in agriculture, such as genetically modified crops and improved seeds, which contribute to higher yields.
• 🛑 Limited government intervention in food markets in South Africa allows for market-driven agricultural growth, in contrast to price controls and export restrictions in other African countries.
• 🌾 South Africa supports a diverse range of farming scales, including large-scale farmers who act as anchors for smaller farmers, a model that could benefit the African continent.
• 🗣️ South African farmers have a strong political voice through associations, which influences policy and ensures their interests are considered in government decisions.
• 🌟 Despite its successes, South Africa's agricultural sector is bifurcated, with large-scale farmers benefiting from the mentioned factors while smallholder farmers face similar challenges as those in other African countries.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the script regarding the African continent?

The main issue discussed is Africa's longstanding problem of food insecurity and its inability to feed itself, despite having ample resources to focus on agriculture.

What are some of the challenges that contribute to food insecurity in Africa?

Challenges include climate change, natural disasters, poverty, and pandemics, which exacerbate difficult circumstances and push millions of Africans into poverty.

How does South Africa compare to other African countries in terms of agricultural productivity?

South Africa is a notable exception, with significant improvements in agricultural productivity, particularly in staple grains like maize, where yields are comparable to major producers globally.

What are some key factors that have contributed to South Africa's agricultural success?

Key factors include secure land rights, investment in public infrastructure, the embrace of science (e.g., better seeds, agrochemicals, and genetically modified crops), limited government intervention in food markets, support for large-scale farming, and strong farmer associations.

How does secure land ownership contribute to agricultural productivity in South Africa?

Secure land ownership, with title deeds, allows people to invest in agriculture with the confidence that they will still own the land in the future, encouraging long-term investment and productivity.

What role does public infrastructure play in South Africa's agricultural success?

Public infrastructure, such as ports, harbors, and dams, enables businesses to build processing facilities and create a more functional food system, making South Africa more competitive in agriculture.

How has South Africa's embrace of science, including genetically modified crops, impacted its agricultural sector?

South Africa's embrace of science, including the use of genetically modified crops, has led to significant improvements in yields, helping farmers produce more while maintaining consumer health.

What does the script suggest about the role of government intervention in food markets in Africa?

The script suggests that excessive government intervention, such as price controls and export restrictions, can discourage investment in agriculture. Instead, governments should focus on subsidizing households rather than manipulating market prices.

Why is the support for large-scale farming important in South Africa's agricultural system?

Large-scale farming is crucial as it helps anchor value chains and supports small-scale farmers, which is essential for reducing the continent's reliance on imported food.

What does the script highlight about the political influence of farmers in South Africa?

South African farmers have a strong political voice through commodity associations and farmer associations, which ensure that government policies reflect the interests of farmers. These associations are domestically funded to maintain their credibility.

What are the contrasting realities within South Africa's agricultural sector?

South Africa has a dual agricultural system: one dominated by large-scale, predominantly white farmers who benefit from strong tenure, infrastructure, and science, and another made up of smallholder farmers who face challenges similar to those in the rest of Africa, such as poor tenure and infrastructure.

What is the script's stance on the role of agriculture in solving Africa's poverty issues?

The script emphasizes agriculture because Africa has the resources to succeed in this sector. Agricultural growth is considered more effective in reducing poverty than growth in other sectors.

Outlines

00:00

🌾 Agricultural Challenges and South Africa's Progress

The African continent faces significant challenges in feeding its population due to poverty and climate change. Despite having the resources to improve agricultural productivity, Africa spends over $80 billion annually on food imports. South Africa stands out as an exception with its notable agricultural advancements, particularly in staple grains like maize, where yields are comparable to major global producers. The country's success is attributed to six key aspects: secure land rights, robust public infrastructure, embrace of scientific advancements in farming, limited government intervention in food markets, support for various farming scales, and strong political representation for farmers.

05:03

📉 Addressing Hunger and Encouraging Agricultural Investment

Government interventions in food markets, such as export bans and price caps during droughts, can undermine farmers' incentives to produce and invest in agriculture. Instead, subsidizing households is proposed as a more effective approach to address hunger. South Africa's agricultural sector has shown resilience, with large-scale farmers playing a crucial role in supporting smaller farmers and contributing to food security. The country's farmers have a strong political voice through associations, which is vital for influencing policy. Despite South Africa's progress, there are still issues, particularly with smallholder farmers who face similar challenges to those in the rest of the continent, such as insecure land tenure and lack of infrastructure.

10:04

🛣️ The Need for Policy Reform and Infrastructure Investment

A call for policy reform and investment in public infrastructure is made to improve the agricultural sector across Africa, with South Africa also needing to address its internal disparities. The importance of strong land tenure, infrastructure, and scientific advancements is emphasized for both large-scale and smallholder farmers. The potential of agriculture to reduce poverty is highlighted, as growth in this sector is typically more effective in poverty reduction than growth in other economic sectors. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of agriculture in addressing poverty and the need for swift and intentional policy reforms and investments.

Keywords

💡Food Security

Food security refers to the availability of sufficient quantities of safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for all people at all times. In the video, the African continent's struggle with food security is highlighted by the fact that many countries are unable to feed themselves and rely heavily on food imports, spending over $80 billion annually. The video emphasizes the importance of improving agricultural productivity and reducing poverty through better farming practices and policies.

💡Poverty

Poverty is the state of being extremely poor, lacking the basic necessities of life such as food, clean water, and shelter. The video discusses how poverty is widespread across Africa, with many people living in difficult circumstances exacerbated by climate change and natural disasters. It also connects poverty to the continent's inability to produce enough food, leading to a reliance on imports and a cycle of poverty.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, causing significant changes to the environment. In the context of the video, climate change is identified as a contributing factor to the hardships faced by African countries, including food scarcity and increased poverty. The video suggests that climate change impacts agricultural productivity, which in turn affects food security.

💡Agricultural Productivity

Agricultural productivity is a measure of the efficiency of agricultural production, often expressed as the ratio of output (crop yield) to inputs (land, labor, capital). The video points out that South Africa has made significant progress in agricultural productivity, with maize yields comparable to major global producers. This is contrasted with many other African countries that struggle with lower yields, indicating the potential for improvement through better practices and policies.

💡Land Tenure

Land tenure refers to the various forms of legal relationships that individuals or communities have with land. In the video, secure land tenure is highlighted as a key factor in South Africa's agricultural success, allowing farmers to invest in their land with the assurance of future returns. This is contrasted with many African countries where informal land rights deter investment and hinder agricultural development.

💡Public Infrastructure

Public infrastructure encompasses the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or economy, such as roads, ports, and power utilities. The video notes that South Africa has invested heavily in public infrastructure, which supports the agricultural sector by enabling processing facilities and efficient transportation of goods. This is presented as a model for other African countries to follow to improve their agricultural sectors.

💡Science in Farming

Science in farming includes the use of modern technologies, improved seeds, genetics, and agrochemicals to enhance agricultural production. The video discusses how South Africa has embraced science in farming, leading to higher yields and more efficient food production. It contrasts this with resistance to such practices in other parts of Africa, suggesting that embracing science could be a key to improving agricultural productivity.

💡Government Intervention

Government intervention refers to the actions taken by the state to influence economic or social outcomes, such as setting policies or regulations. The video argues for limited government intervention in food markets, suggesting that policies that restrict exports or cap prices can disincentivize farmers from producing and investing in agriculture. Instead, it proposes that subsidies for households could be a more effective way to address hunger and poverty.

💡Farmer Associations

Farmer associations are organizations that represent the interests of farmers, advocating for policies and practices that support their work. The video highlights the importance of strong farmer associations in South Africa, which act as a political voice for farmers and influence government decisions. It suggests that such associations, funded domestically, are crucial for advocating for the needs of farmers and ensuring their interests are considered in policy-making.

💡Policy Reform

Policy reform involves changing or updating laws, regulations, or practices to improve outcomes or address new challenges. The video calls for policy reform in the African continent to address the challenges faced by the agricultural sector. It emphasizes the need for reforms that support secure land tenure, investment in infrastructure, and the adoption of scientific advancements in farming to improve agricultural productivity and food security.

Highlights

The African continent faces a long-standing problem of not being able to feed itself, with many countries struggling with poverty and food insecurity.

South Africa is an exception in the African context, with notable improvements in agricultural productivity since the 1990s.

South Africa’s maize yields are comparable with major global producers, at around six tonnes per hectare, while many African countries produce less than two tonnes per hectare.

One key factor driving South Africa’s success is secure land rights, allowing people to invest in agriculture with confidence.

Investment in public infrastructure, such as ports, harbors, and dams, has enabled South Africa’s agricultural sector to thrive, something lacking in many African countries.

South Africa embraces science in agriculture, including the use of genetically modified crops and improved seeds, contributing to higher yields.

Limited government intervention in food markets has allowed South Africa’s agricultural sector to grow, whereas excessive intervention in other African countries has stifled investment.

South Africa supports a variety of farmers, from large-scale commercial farms to smallholders, recognizing that a mix is needed to meet food security demands.

Farmer associations in South Africa provide a strong political voice for agricultural interests, ensuring that government policies consider their needs.

South Africa has remained resilient in agriculture, even during challenging economic periods, with the sector continuing to grow.

Agriculture in South Africa has more than doubled in value and volume since 1994, driven by the factors mentioned above.

The $80 billion spent annually by the African continent on food imports contrasts with South Africa’s success as one of the world’s top 40 agricultural exporters.

The lessons from South Africa’s success can be applied to other African countries, but with a focus on policy reform and public infrastructure investment.

Smallholder farmers in South Africa’s former homelands face challenges similar to those seen in other African countries, such as weak land rights and lack of infrastructure.

Agricultural growth is more effective at reducing poverty than growth in other sectors, making it a priority for addressing Africa’s food security and poverty issues.

Transcripts

Transcriber: Lingua Strategist Reviewer: Sam-Haendell W. THOSIAC

The African continent has a long standing problem of inability to feed itself.

If you look across our continent,

most countries have a large number of people that live in poverty.

And I think today where we continue to experience climate change,

various natural disasters,

we see more and more people moving towards very difficult circumstances.

And when there are pandemics like we recently seen,

the situation gets even worse.

We saw millions of Africans falling in the poverty trap.

This happens while we have all of the resources to actually grow,

focus on agriculture and do better for ourselves.

Yet, if you look at how much food as

a continent we import each year we spend over $80 billion importing food products

to the African continent. That's the story of hunger.

That's the story of Africa when you're looking at it broadly.

But I do think that we have to look at saying, how do we change this reality?

And when you look at the African continent , though,

there are some examples of countries that have done better.

My home country, South Africa,

is one of those that displayed an important improvement that

I think offers lessons for many of the African continent.

If you look at South Africa's agricultural productivity today

and you draw back in the early 90s,

South Africa has seen enormous progress to the extent that it is

an exception from many of the African countries in terms of their agricultural

productivity. Take an example of staple grains like maize,

which is largely consumed in the African continent.

South African yields are comparable with major producers in South America

and elsewhere in the world at around six tonnes per hectare or so.

While many of the African countries actually produce less than two tonnes per

hectare, then the question becomes to say what is it that South Africa is doing

reasonably well? Can we extract some lessons from South Africa for much of

the African continent? What I have observed is that South Africa is doing

six different aspects that when you look across the African continent,

many people are not emphasising a lot on those.

The first reality is that South Africa is one of the African countries,

very few, who actually has the largest area of land that is secure.

They are title deeds put people can put money on agriculture,

knowing that in years to come they will still be able to do business here.

But when you look across the African continent,

many countries are still having this problem of informality in terms of

the land rights. And this is a problem because we are not seeing

a lot of investment going into the African continent,

in part because of this challenge, while in South Africa,

that productivity is driven in part by

the sense that people can put their money knowing that tomorrow they will still

be able to yield some progress out of that investment.

The other aspect that we see different in South Africa than many of

the African continent is that South Africa has invested

a lot in public infrastructure.

Yes, I know many people across

the world they read about South Africa's failing ports, power utility challenges,

but there is still a robust infrastructure in South Africa that you

don't see in many of the African countries.

This infrastructure enables business,

private sector to be able to build factories that they can be able to

process food, do a lot linking on these ports, on these harbours,

on these dams and actually create a more functional food system in South Africa.

We don't see this in the continent,

and I think it has to start by the public sector putting money on

the infrastructure before we tell businesses to come to various countries

in the African continent. The third aspect that you will see,

that it is a differentiator in South Africa is that

the country embraces science.

By science, I'm referring to better seeds, genetics, agrochemicals.

While in so many of the African continent countries,

we continue to see a bit of resistance to science in farming.

Take, for example, genetically modified crops.

I know many people are against this,

but in South Africa and elsewhere in the world,

we've seen that they have led to enormous improvement in terms of yields

for farmers, while the health of the consumer is still taken care of.

And it doesn't end there. There are improvement in yields that are made in

livestock and poultry and many various foods that

the country actually boosts itself to have at the moment.

The fourth lesson that we can take out of South Africa is that there's limited

government intervention in food markets.

Yes, in times where there are droughts,

there's always a temptation to say there is hunger.

Let's utilize the policies that we have as

the countries to either stop farmers from exporting products,

or maybe even put price caps on what the firms can sell the products.

And all of that happens while the governments are showing

a sense of sympathy for many people that are already in poverty in

the African continent. But I do think that we can deal with those issues of

hunger by primarily focusing

on subsidizing households rather than curbing the prices, because if we do that,

we take away the very incentive that farmers have to actually produce,

knowing that tomorrow they will get something out of that

and continue to invest in agriculture.

And these policies, as practiced in so many of the African countries.

And I think in part it does cause this dilemma of less investments in farming

in the African continent, particularly for the commercial farming space.

We also see that in South Africa, there's an embrace for large scale farmers,

because in the world in general today, I mean,

David Pilling puts it best when he says there is this cult of smallholder farming

in Africa. For many years we have been saying smallholder farmers are

the future. Let's focus on them.

And yes, they do have a role,

but they alone will not be able to substitute the $80 billion that as

a continent we spend importing food year by year.

Therefore, we do need to do something

and ensure that we have all typologies of farmers.

We have large scale farmers, medium scale farmers and small scale farmers.

The large scale farmers also play as an anchor for

the small scale farmers that have to feed in onto these value chains,

And I think this is something that you see in South Africa when you travel

around that there are various typologies of the farmers.

And I do think that in the African continent we have to take lessons from

this. The last aspect that differentiates South Africa from many African countries

is also that the farmers are actually a strong political voice.

They have what we call commodity associations and farmer associations.

To the extent that government officials don't just get around

and do whatever they please,

they know that there is a voice that stands for farmers and it speaks

for them. But the important thing about this, these farmer associations,

they have to be funded primarily domestically in these countries,

not to get funds from outside,

because on that it weakens their standing as if they are standing

for outside voice, but they actually need to be funded domestically.

With these six aspects. They have led to

a situation where we have seen South Africa's agriculture remaining quite

resilient. Think about the last ten years, for example.

The South African economy has gone through various challenges where

so many of the sectors of this economy have actually contracted.

But agriculture has remained robust and continued to grow and steady on

a positive side throughout that period.

You can even think back in 1994 when South Africa regained independence

or democracy. Throughout that period,

we've seen various years where South Africa has done well in the economy,

but also some years that have been very difficult for the country,

the economy contracting. But if you isolate agriculture out of that to say,

30 years in democracy, how has South Africa's agricultural sector been?

You get a very good picture of a sector that has more than doubled in value

and in volume terms. And the key ingredient below that are those very many

interventions that I have mentioned.

So the idea then that we have to say is to say how do we take what South Africa

has done and perhaps begin to implement it in the continent.

Because as the continent spends about $80 billion importing food.

South Africa is the only African country in

the top 40 agricultural exporters in the world.

We earn a year about $13.2 billion exporting food.

We are also food secure at a national level,

the most food secure in the sub-Saharan Africa region.

And yes, there is household food insecurity in South Africa.

But that is a problem of income poverty rather than an agricultural question

or availability of food or even the price of food.

But South Africa is not this whole good and glamorous story.

It has its own problem because as we sit here,

South Africa is a country of two agricultures.

The story I've just told is what the large scale,

predominantly white farmers in South Africa enjoy.

But you also have a small holder,

farmers that resemble what you see in so many of the African countries.

Then the question is, what is it about these smallholder farming areas of

South Africa? They mirror what you see in the continent.

There's no strong tenure, there's no serious infrastructure.

And primarily these are in what,

in the South African context used to call the former homelands.

Therefore, the very same lessons of strong tenure, of infrastructure,

of better science that is applied in farmers that we can apply in

the African continent, it also needs to be applied here in South Africa.

Quite frankly, what we need to do then at this moment,

we need some sense of policy reform in the African continent.

And yes, indeed here in South Africa.

And I think over time, if we do that and we do it with speed,

it may change the fortunes of agriculture

and what needs to happen differently this time around is

the pace of that policy reform,

but also a clear intention on investments on public infrastructure,

because without that, you are not going to get thriving small

and medium scale businesses that can lean

on that public infrastructure to be able to deliver this success.

Why are we emphasizing agriculture to solve our problems?

Because we know that there are countries who have no strong agriculture,

but very little levels of poverty.

We emphasize it for basic reasons,

that we do have the resources at which we can plant

and actually do well in agriculture, in dealing with the poverty,

but also from what we learn from literature,

which is that growth in agriculture is usually more effective in reducing

poverty than growth in any other sectors of the economy. Thank you.