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Published by tasch, 2019-10-17 02:10:37

World Food Day October 2019

Keywords: World Food,World food day,Business Day,Business Day World Food Day,Food,World hunger,Zero hunger

16 OCTOBER 2019

NEW THINKING
ABOUT FOOD

Encouraging and
upskilling smallholders
INNOVATION AND FOOD SECURITY | SUSTAINABLE FARMING



FROM THE EDITOR

WORLD FODOaDy A DISTRIBUTION
PUBLISHED BY PROBLEMational number cruncher StatsSA
released its most recent report to apps to create new markets for small-scale
A Tiso Blackstar Group Business on nutrition and hunger in the producers in urban areas to diversify our
Picasso Headline sources of food (page 9).
Ncountry with a phrase that is
13th Floor, 2 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001 Perhaps the most exciting initiatives to
Tel: +27 21 469 2400 | Fax: +27 86 682 2926 pithy and to the point. “While South Africa is combat hunger and provide access to food that
food secure at the national level, the country is resilient in the face of economic pressure and
www.businessmediamags.co.za is still food insecure at household level.” In climate change are those that are targeted at
other words, there’s enough food for everyone, small-scale farmers. Smallholding in South
EDITORIAL but nearly seven million people here
experience hunger. Africa is an issue that is intrinsically tied
Editor: Adam Oxford to land reform and, partly as a result,
Content Manager: Raina Julies This is not just a South African is garnering much attention today
story. Globally, we produce (although still not enough,
[email protected] plenty of food for everyone, one suspects).
Copy Editor: Brenda Bryden but the Food and Agricultural From research into the best
Contributors: James Francis, Glenneis Kriel, Organisation (FAO) says that skills to teach smallholders
Mpho Lukoto, Masibulele Lunika over 800 million people are (page 5) to the stability of
Digital Editor: Stacey Visser malnourished. Food security the sector (page 2), it’s widely
Content co-ordinator: Lwando Njamela isn’t a production problem: it’s a recognised that small-scale
distribution one. farmers are a massively underutilised
DESIGN
Tackling food security is a complex resource with great potential. Can
Head of Design Studio: problem, and there are plenty of initiatives businesses unlock some of this potential? It’s
Jayne Macé-Ferguson underway. At the macroscale, new certainly in their best interest (page 10), but
Designer: Lesley-Ann van Schalkwyk technologies, such as drones, the internet there’s need for political will too. On World
Advert Designer: Bulelwa Sotashe of things (IoT) and blockchain, are helping Food Day, it’s a perfect opportunity to reflect
Cover image: illionaire/istock.com experts to map supply chains in more detail on how that might be mustered.
than ever before, in the hope of reducing waste Adam Oxford
SALES and creating efficiencies getting from farm to Editor
plate (page 11). Similarly, others are looking
Sales Team: Khwezi Kondlo, Roderick Mulowa
CONTENTS
PRODUCTION
2 THINK BIG, INVEST 9 THE SHARING ECONOMY
Production Editor: Shamiela Brenner IN SMALL Meet the app that will help
Advert Co-ordinator: Lwando Njamela Large-scale commercial farming you sell apples
is not the answer to food security
Distribution: Shumiera Fredericks 10 GROWING YOUR OWN
[email protected] | +27 21 469 2523 5 TURNING FARMERS Encouraging school food gardens
INTO ENTREPRENEURS is a long-term bet for business
Printing: CTP Printers, Cape Town Why critical nancial and business skills
are essential for agricultural reform 11 SECURING THE
MANAGEMENT SUPPLY CHAIN
6 POWER UP How distributed ledgers are
Management Accountant: Deidre Musha Should renewable energy be a being used to improve food
Business Manager: Lodewyk van der Walt priority for small farms? quality and safety

General Manager, Magazines:
Jocelyne Bayer

Copyright: Picasso Headline. No portion of this magazine
may be reproduced in any form without written consent
of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for
unsolicited material. World Food Day is published by

Picasso Headline. The opinions expressed are not necessarily
those of Picasso Headline. All advertisements/advertorials and
promotions have been paid for and therefore do not carry any

endorsement by the publisher.

WORLD FOOD DAY 1

SMALLHOLDER DEVELOPMENT

FAST FACT LEFT: Smallholder food
production contributes
In Ethiopia, an initiative to between R3.5-billion and
increase wheat production by R4-billion to the economy
smallholders launched 2013 each year.
increased yields by 14 per cent.
In a paper published last year, lower than in the formal sector
with reduced expenditure on
researchers found that the fencing, housing, veterinary care,
increase was lower than expected, supplementary feed or labour,”
says Cousins.
but still significant.

Source: International Food Policy
Research Institute (IFPRI)

Fighting the low returns

One of the key challenges, however, is low return
on investment for growing staples. Dryland
cropping, such as maize and beans, has become
less and less attractive to small-scale farmers
Think big, since the 1960s.

“Remote sensing images, personal narratives
and questionnaire surveys in dozens of villages
and thousands of households around the
country confirm that the area under field crops
invest in small is declining, which coincides with reduced
food production for household purposes,” says
Professor Charlie Shackleton, research chair in
the Department of Environmental Science at
While the international trend is for farms to get bigger, smallholder farms Rhodes University.

remain strategically important in South Africa, writes GLENNEIS KRIEL Some farmers are switching to more lucrative
crops, whereas others simply lose their appetite
K eeping track of what is happening on National Development Plan estimated that small- for field cropping because of the high risks
smallholder farms in South Africa is scale farmers and their linkages could generate and low returns. Shackleton ascribes this to a
not easy. Firstly, because of diverging 500 000 more jobs by 2030 and another 105 000 combination of reasons, ranging from shortages
interpretations of what is meant by if “better use” was made of redistributed land. of inputs, such as fertiliser, manure or labour, to
“smallholder farming”, and secondly, because The greatest opportunity, according to environmental issues, such as poor soil quality
of the paucity of national data on these types Cousins, lies in the production of fresh and erosion.
of producers. vegetables, with irrigation being a key driver The reduction in field cropping is not
Stats SA’s most recent Agricultural H ouseholds of success. “Smallholder farmers have access necessarily having a huge impact on rural
Community Survey revealed that the number of to less than eight per cent of the irrigated households. “Most of these households have
households engaged in agriculture decreased land in South Africa, this amounts to about diverse cash and non-cash income streams,
by 500 000 to 2.3 million between 2011 and 100 000ha. They have great potential to with government grants representing about
2016. There are many factors associated with this improve their output and incomes if provided 50 per cent of this income. Up to 16 per cent
decline, but, as Stats SA points out, a key issue with adequate support.” of their income is made from wild harvesting,
was the drought of 2014/2015. This impacted whereas income from dryland cropping is only
production on farms of all sizes. Lower cost estimated at around 3 per cent,” Shackleton says.

According to Professor Ben Cousins, an NRF- Another opportunity is in livestock production. Better disposable income increases the IMAGES: GLENNEIS KRIEL
funded research chair at the University of the Although it might be that large commercial farms household food security of these households,
Western Cape’s Institute for Poverty, Land and can achieve economies of scale, there are localised as they are less vulnerable to crop failures.
Agrarian Studies (PLAS), in reality, smallholder benefits to being small. Nevertheless, says Shackleton, there is
production has remained relatively stable over “The beauty with smallholder livestock evidence that growing food contributes to a
the past decade. These farmers not only improve production is that costs are generally much healthier diet.
household food security in rural areas, but
also make a significant contribution to South
Africa’s economy.
“Smallholder farming is often undervalued, “Smallholder farmers have access to less than eight per
cent of the irrigated land in South Africa, this amounts
but in South Africa it is contributing between to about 100 000ha. They have great potential to improve
R3.5-billion and R4-billion to the economy each
year and is responsible for 410 000 to 500 000
jobs,” Cousins says. The sector can make an even their output and incomes if provided with adequate support.”
greater contribution with the right support. The
— Professor Ben Cousins

2 WORLD FOOD DAY



advertorial

Serving the nation’s

food basket

For over 100 years, the ARC has worked tirelessly to improve agricultural economics and capacity
development through conducting research in animal and crop sciences that are necessary for the development

of appropriate agricultural engineering techniques for both small and large-scale producers.

T The mandate of the Agricultural significant business role in helping to ensure that While the organisation
Research Council (ARC) is to help South African products are able to compete on continues to play a significant
South Africa maintain food security the world stage. A recent example is South Africa social role that contributes
for all its citizens. In order to surpassing Argentina to join the worlds Top 10 to food security, it also plays
carry out this mandate, the ARC works hard at producers and exporters of citrus fruits. a significant business role in
remaining at the forefront of adding value to the helping to ensure that South
agricultural sector and its multitude of industries. In line with developments in the Fourth African products are able to
Industrial Revolution (4IR), the ARC, as a compete on the world stage.
The ARC’s research and project findings have custodian of agricultural research on behalf of the
been integral to the agricultural community and South African government, recognises the urgent value chain using the Internet of things (IoT) and
the nation’s food security. For example, in the last need to embrace technology and continues to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
10 years, the ARC’s efforts at crop improvement develop further technologies that help safeguard
have resulted in the development of more than agricultural sustainability across the agricultural The 4IR is characterised by a wide range of new
180 cultivars of critical importance for technologies, which combine digital and biological
sustainable agriculture. worlds, impacting all disciplines, economies, and
industries, including the agricultural and related
Climate change is a serious threat to global sectors. As a technology transfer institution, and a
primary food security, sustainable agricultural keen adopter of 4IR, the ARC is leading the charge
production, rural development, and economic in securing our nation’s food basket using the most
growth, and South Africa is no different. It is up to date technologies.
imperative for South Africa’s agriculture to
be resilient to the adverse impacts of climate The ARC’s vision is of excellence in agricultural
change. Agricultural resilience to climate change research is a tool for fulfilling the institution’s
requires the application of scientific research and primary mandate. “On a personal note, it is
development initiatives aimed at enabling the fulfilling to be an integral part of the South
resilience of agricultural production. African economy and witness new farming
entrants make significant strides as South Africa’s
Livestock production is an important
component of South African agriculture as key food producers as well as supporting the
products serve as an important source of protein agricultural community as a whole for the
that is essential for food and nutrition security nation’s economic growth for the
among the population. foreseeable future.”

The ARC recently showcased some of its images: supplied
new and best-performing fruit cultivars on
the world stage at the 2019 Fruit Logistica
in Berlin, Germany. These included
pome-fruit, stone fruit, table and raisin
grape that are easy to grow and easy
to sell whether for fresh markets,
for drying or for canning. While
the organisation continues to
play a significant social role
that contributes to food
security, it also plays a

4

FARMING

FROM LEFT: AgriSeta has trained more than

10 000 smallholders as part of their programme

Turning farmers to develop future farmers; Dehorning at a smallhold
farm in Limpopo.

Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and
Rural Development.
into entrepreneurs Among the skills AgriSeta believes are needed
is the ability to understand the economics of
agriculture — commodity values, pricing,
demand and supply in the market. It says that
technical knowledge such as efficient and
What skill training is available to farm managers to help them meet effective ways of production and production
methods and skills in production are also key.
their potential? MPHO LUKOTO finds out
The academics
The smallholder farmers have believes that agronomic skills such as land
long been seen as vital for preparation and crop rotation practices, pest Dr Adri Drotskie is the head of research and
employment and poverty reduction control, conservation practice, seed varieties faculty development at Henley Business
in rural areas. However, they often and selection are vital for the farmer, while School Africa. “In our research, we found
lack the capacity, both financially and in mechanisation options, as well as their impact that there is a big demand for management
terms of resources and skills, to run successful on farming productivity, need to be understood. skills,” she says. “We identified three
operations. While access to credit, land and John Deere has several programmes in place focus areas: management and planning,
crop seeds is important, none of these matter if to help upskill smallholder farmers in SA. These financial management and budgeting, and
farmers don’t have the necessary skills to farm include Buhle Farmer’s Academy in Delmas, management of people.
sustainably. That means investing in business Mpumalanga and Peritum Agri Academy “Part of the general management and
skills for the sector alongside agricultural ones. in Bloemfontein, Free State. The academies planning focus is also to understand the
This is highlighted in the recently released provide both short courses and diploma world you are living in, from land restitution
Land Reform Report, as well as by agricultural courses that provide practical knowledge and to climate change, while people management
experts, who emphasise the need for skills skills to farmers in vegetable, livestock, crop would include the legal environment around
transfer in the agricultural sector to help and mixed farming. hiring people.”
develop smallholder farmers. Running a successful farm doesn’t just require To equip future managers, Henley
“The issue is not so much the area of land agricultural skills. Goncalves also highlights has created the Foundations of Farm
involved, but the provision of capital, inputs a need for basic financial skills to manage Management short learning programme to
and skills to bring it in to production and to business and personal finances and cashflow. provide management training. “Our aim is to
enhance rural livelihoods rather than spread partner with the various agricultural bodies;
rural poverty,” write William Beinart and The government commodity organisations such as the Wool

Peter Delius in “Smallholders and land reform: AgriSeta, the agricultural sector education Board, the Sugar Board or Grain SA; and the
A realistic perspective”, published in the Centre authority that facilitates skills development for various co-operatives who all offer technical
for Development and Enterprises’ Viewpoints future farmers, has trained more than 10 000 training, as well as the country’s agricultural
October 2018 newsletter. smallholders in collaboration with partners colleges, and get them to add a day to each
There are many initiatives — both private including companies in the agricultural sector, of their existing courses where we can do
and public sector driven — aimed at providing the Unemployment Insurance Fund, and the management training,” Dr Drotskie explains.
skills to smallholder farmers. But who are these
players and what skills do they think are needed? “In our research, we found that there is a big demand

IMAGES: SUPPLIED The manufacturer for management skills. We identified three focus areas:
management and planning, financial management and
John Goncalves is the training manager at budgeting, and management of people.”– Dr Adri Drotskie
John Deere Sub-Saharan Africa, a firm that
manufactures agricultural machinery. He

WORLD FOOD DAY 5

ENERGY

FAST FACT 1 400 MW potential if

An increasing body of research commercial banks are

suggests that when ground- willing to use solar

mounting solar arrays are deployed

on farms, they don’t just provide plants as security to

power. ey can also help to improve get access to capital,”

biodiversity, providing new habitats he says.
for birds and insects. Adding a small solar

Source: Potential ecological impacts generator to a farm
of ground-mounting photovoltaic could also help keep
farms financially viable in
solar panels, BSG

times of drought if the right
regulations were in place to allow
them to make money selling power.
India is showing how this can be done. News
Small-scale embedded generators have the potential to supply the electricity site Mongabay India reports that in the Dhundi
needed to prevent future load shedding challenges for the agriculture sector.

village of Gujarat’s Kheda district, farmers use
solar energy to irrigate their farms and sell the
Power up for surplus energy to the local power distribution
company, Madhya Gujarat Vij Company.

The Indian government has committed
to expanding the use of renewable energy by
SUSTAINABILITY farmers by providing financing and incentives
that aim to add 10 GW of power to the grid by
2022, tackling both food security and fossil fuel
reduction in one go.
MPHO LUKOTO explores the use of alternative energy for the

agricultural sector negatively on the entire nation’s food security and FINANCIAL SENSE IMAGES: SUPPLIED
on secondary agricultural businesses, which can
O ver the past few years, South only survive when the primary sector is strong Banks are starting to understand the
Africans have increasingly been and healthy,” he adds. impact of renewables for the long-term
exploring alternative energy
solutions as state-owned utility Alternative energy solutions could, therefore, nancial health of farmers. Justin
Eskom struggles to keep the lights on. The cost of offer a lifeline to farmers seeking sustainability Schmidt, head of renewable energy at
load shedding has been dire for the economy, with for their operations. Wait says the most obvious retail and business for Absa, says that he
energy expert Ted Blom estimating that it cost solution is solar power. is noticing increased interest in PV panels
South Africa R1.4-trillion up to the end of 2018. and battery back-up systems, which help
Seeking the sun farms to reduce reliance on the grid
For an energy-intensive sector such as even further.
agriculture, the impact of unreliable power supply According to Strydom, investing in solar power
is significant. According to Dr Requier Wait, could contribute more than just power continuity “Feeding back to the grid is also not
head of economics and trade at AgriSA, official for the agricultural sector. They could sell excess a process that is running smoothly yet,
statistics reveal that the agricultural sector spent energy back to the national grid. “Farmers have so farmers are questioning why they
about R7 334bn on electricity in 2018/19. the potential to supply the electricity needed to should push excess energy into the grid
prevent future load shedding through small-scale and whether they should rather look
Therefore, says CEO of Agriculture Western solar photovoltaic (PV) installations (less than at pushing this energy into batteries,”
Cape Jannie Strydom, the effect that power cuts 1 MW), referred to as small-scale embedded Schmidt says.
have on farmers is significant, given that over generators (SSEGs),” he says.
25 per cent of the country’s food is produced by “We understand solar PV is a long-
irrigation-reliant and energy-intensive industries. “If administration processes are streamlined, term asset that o sets a portion of
these applications and others can be rolled out. a business’s energy bill. erefore, key
“When production on farms takes strain due Small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations to nancing is to make certain that the
to load shedding, producers suffer financial present an opportunity for farmers to generate term of debt matches the cash ows
losses,” says Strydom. “Load shedding’s effects electricity and relieve strain on the grid.” of the installation to ensure the project
include interruption of irrigation cycles, can potentially be cash ow neutral or
insufficient or no water for irrigation to crops But Eskom and the National Energy positive for the business. We’ve o en seen
during critical production times, and it can Regulator of SA would first have to fast track that installations funded through the
affect sensitive irrigation equipment leading to their registration processes. “These applications right structuring could have a positive
damages to crops and equipment, which implies (mostly from farmers) can generate 1 400 MW, impact on cash ows over the term of
an additional cost.” which can prevent stage one load shedding. the funding.”
Agriculture could more than double the
The impact on agriculture also hits the
economy. “Production losses impact extremely

6 WORLD FOOD DAY





AGRITECH

FROM LEFT: Claudia Jones and Wandile Tshabe; No. Land The sharing
Farming produces lemon-based products from produce they economy
collect from the trees found in the gardens of local homeowners.
Can an app make sharecroppers of us all? ADAM OXFORD and
There’s barely a suburban garden MASIBULELE LUNIKA talk to No. Land Farming
in South Africa that doesn’t have
IMAGES: SUPPLIED some sort of fruit tree growing in We reward the homeowners either through homeowners can send us any questions or
it. Whether it’s lemon or limes, a product made from their fruits or through queries regarding both their trees and any
mulberries or plums, a vast amount of payment of an agreed-upon amount of money. other agricultural-related questions.
homegrown produce is either sent straight to
compost or exists to fatten the birds. We also believe that the benefit of farming We’ve also partnered with a local
in this method is helping individuals become gardening services centre that assists with
Wandile Tshabe and Claudia Jones want to aware of the environment in which they live, fielding the queries and giving advice to
change that. They run an online service, No. however, more importantly, to know where the homeowner.
Land Farming, which will harvest and collect their food comes from. Nowadays, people
small amounts of produce from homeowners have become more aware of the environment Is it just for suburbanites? We are
on demand and find markets for it. For their and are looking for ways on how they can do
effort, they recently won the People’s Choice their bit to help preserve it. Why not start by currently in urban areas, however, as part of
trophy at the 2019 Southern Africa Startup looking to your back garden? our bigger vision, we are looking to expand
Awards. We caught up with them to find out and implement our concept in township
how it works. What help do you offer and rural areas as we would like to create a
producers? We fully assist homeowners shared-economy platform, where close to
Tell us how No. Land Farming anyone gets an opportunity to play a part
came about: No. Land Farming was in growing and maintaining their fruit in the agricultural economy. We plan to not
tree — or trees — by giving them advice on only harvest from homeowners that have
founded in 2017, out of the post-graduate how to best care for their trees to ensure the existing surplus yield, but also from those
entrepreneurship course at the University of maximum yield of fruit come harvest time. who want to plant crops on properties that
Cape Town. As part of the course, students are This is facilitated through our website where don’t have any fruit trees.
given a year-long “Genesis Project” where they
are tasked to start up a business and apply the
business fundamentals taught in lectures to their
own real business.

The idea behind No. Land Farming is that we,
as South Africans, don’t need massive amounts
of land to farm commercially and sustainably,
we can do so on a scalable microlevel, with little
or “No Land”. We believe that conventional
farming as we know it is unsustainable, and with
the depletion of limited natural resources, such
as water and land, we need to start thinking
about farming differently by bringing it closer
to our cities.

Furthermore, given the increase in
urbanisation, one needs to think of different
and innovative ways to address food insecurity.

What do producers get out of it?

All the produce collected from homeowners is
turned into artisanal food products, such as olive
tapenade or lemon cordial, and sold at various
markets locally in and around Cape Town.

WORLD FOOD DAY 9

SUSTAINABILITY

“There was always something Growing about, and focusing on food security makes a lot
going on with the school of sense,” says Mgolodela. “We’re committed to
garden,” says Mashao Seabela, YOUR influencing how the country sees food security,
an ex-student of Toronto and go out of our way to identify what good food
Primary in Polokwane. “One side had the garden, OWN and nutrition look like.”
then we got goats, then chickens. What we grew,
we either ate or sold to the local community.” ADAM OXFORD finds out While the primary beneficiaries are school
children, the company also benefits in several
It may be a decade or more since the 22-year- why school food gardens ways from running the programme, Mgolodela
old left the school, but its influence remains. says. “There’s brand equity, active corporate
Today, Seabela works as an environmental are a good example of how citizenship and a high level of employee
engineer for the Department of Water and engagement in the number of people who
Sanitation (DWS). “The garden definitely businesses create social volunteer to help in the gardens.
influenced me to study environmental sciences,”
Seabela says. impact and shared value “Our food security commitment makes us
a fully passionate food business. You can’t be
“Toronto was a model school for permaculture, entirely passionate about food when there’s IMAGES: SUPPLIED
so we had to go out and explain what we were hunger and poverty. You can’t be excited about
learning and teach other educators. It opened up feeding the nation through our store offering
a world of opportunity.” without closing the loop … and reaching the
bottom of the pyramid too.”
The garden at the school was provided by Food
and Trees for Africa, as part of its long-standing There’s more than altruism at play, too. The
EduPlant programme, funded by retailer notion of “conscious capitalism” is spreading
Woolworths. Schools compete every two years to around the world, as more and more businesses
demonstrate their achievements and what they realise that their long-term health relies on social
have learned. Seabela was part of a winning team stability and economic growth. In the US, the
while at Toronto — and picked up a taste for Business Roundtable recently updated its policy
public speaking as well as environmentalism. on “the Purpose of a Corporation”, committing
its members to end “shareholder primacy” — the
“We want our contributions principle that a company’s main responsibility
to align with who we are is to maximise returns for shareholders while
remaining within the bounds of the law. The
and what we are passionate new statement was signed by 181 CEOs from
about, and focusing on food organisations such as JPMorgan Chase, Johnson
& Johnson, General Motors, Apple, and Walmart,
security makes a lot and places sustainable values, including investing
of sense.” — Zinzi Mgolodela in employees and communities, on an equal
footing with shareholders.
The win-win
“It is more critical than ever that businesses in
The EduPlant programme isn’t just about helping the 21st century are focused on generating long-
school children to engage with the natural term value for all stakeholders and addressing
environment and food chain.
According to Zinzi Mgolodela, the challenges we face. This will result in
director for corporate affairs shared prosperity and sustainability
at Woolworths, EduPlant for both business and society,” said
is an example of how Darren Walker, president of the
CSI can deliver shared Ford Foundation.
value for the recipients, Mgolodela says that there’s a
providers of assistance, similar view closer to home. “It’s
and everyone involved. very philosophical. We have to
ask what our contribution to
“We want our this country and its inclusive
contributions to align economic growth is going
with who we are and to be. When the country is
what we are passionate not growing, our business is
not sustainable. And if the
RIGHT: Learners at Nombelo Tebelelo country is going to grow, it’s
Primary School get actively involved in going to start by addressing
growing their own produce. basic needs such as feeding
children. You can’t teach
maths to a hungry child.”

10 WO R L D F O O D DAY

SUPPLY CHAIN

A ll over Africa, agricultural Securing the
potential is so rich that other
countries are leasing great tracts SUPPLY
of arable land here. Yet Africa CHAIN
falls well short of what it should be producing. JAMES FRANCIS wonders if blockchain technology raises
African agriculture’s game and food safety
According to the UN, sub-Saharan Africa must
increase the level of agricultural productivity by The more visibility stakeholders have into the intelligence (AI) to reduce waste and improve
two- or three-fold to meet future food security supply chain, the better they can identify where efficiencies. Ndemo notes that AI can be very
demands. To reach these ambitious goals, more problems arise and what can be done to fix them. powerful for planning and growth, which will
and more governmental and NGO players are Is produce spoiling in a particular warehouse or create more jobs. “We are not there yet, but
looking at digital technology to help deliver a new trucking route? At present, questions like this can modernised agriculture is becoming increasingly
agricultural dawn. be surprisingly hard to answer. attractive because of big data and the ability to
predict outcomes.”
“Africa is transforming its agriculture along Building the chain
several different lines,” says Toby Johnson from Groundwork first
the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Blockchains have been used in supply chains
Cooperation (CTA). “At CTA, we believe that as diverse as diamonds and blood plasma to Yet blockchain is not the first step. It needs more
digitalisation will be a game-changer in this sense; guarantee the integrity of a product at any given fundamental digital ingredients and practices in
reducing imports and increasing exports.” point in its journey from raw material to use. place to become effective. “Blockchain works once
you have a reliable source of data — a significant
A problematic landscape In the US, Walmart is deploying a blockchain shift where so much is still paper-based,” says
system to help improve food safety. As South Johnson. “There are challenges, not least in the
The discussion has three focal areas: improving Africa discovered during the listeriosis outbreak credibility of data sources, before blockchain
yields, reducing spoilage and improving food in 2017, it can take weeks to trace contaminated can assist at scale. In principle, the application of
safety. But the major barriers stem from the food back to its source and stop an outbreak blockchain should increase speed and efficiencies
overall supply chain, such as lacking visibility for from spreading. in supply chains, leading to reductions in post-
planning and accountability. harvest loss.”
Starting with leafy green
“We are losing between 40 and 50 per cent vegetables, Walmart’s platform This is the crux of African agriculture
[of yields] due to poor handling and storage,” is designed to be easy for modernisation: get the basics right first. These
says Professor Bitange Ndemo, who chaired a suppliers to use, but keeps a include better and cheaper connectivity, boosting
ministerial taskforce in Kenya to investigate permanent history of every digital literacy, state policies that, among other
how technology can aid agriculture. “Building head of lettuce on its shelves. things, guide emerging technologies and the
a better supply chain means you can account Others are looking to blockchain for the investments they attract, access to funding, and
for food at every stage and that the market is provenance of ingredients for other reasons: more development of local value chains and
almost always known since you will have visibility Dutch company Tony’s Chocolonely hopes to national farmer registries.
of the food movement.” eliminate slavery in chocolate farming through
IMAGES: RAWPIXEL.COMI/MSAHGUTETS:ERCSTTAOCWK.WCWO.CM,TSA.UIPNPLTIED blockchain visibility.
This has stoked interest around blockchain But there is resistance to these
systems as a solution. Commonly associated with technologies, often rooted in fears
cryptocurrencies, blockchain maintains of unforeseen consequences.
a ledger of records distributed among numerous A digital paper trail for
independent systems. Different stakeholders in foodstuffs will be a
a supply chain can contribute to such a ledger prime opportunity to
without requiring central oversight. This would apply artificial
eloquently link everything from the farmer
through to the consumer.

DID YOU KNOW?

Before 2013 there were only 42 digital
agriculture solutions in Africa. Today
there are over 390. But only ve per
cent (€127-million) of the addressable
€2.3-billion African agriculture market
is being tapped. Source: CTA

Modernised agriculture is becoming
increasingly attractive because of big data
and the ability to predict outcomes.

WO R L D F O O D DAY 11

THE NEW

Responsibility

OF FMCGs

Creating a solid value chain between enhancing the nutritional profiles

of food products and the responsibility for influencing positive consumer

behaviours is key to the future of the FMCG food sector, writes

ABECKY OPDYKE, chief marketing officer at Tiger Brands
s the largest producer of everyday nutrition and behaviour. In response, Tiger Brands
branded FMCG products in Southern has taken initial steps with Jungle Snack Mix and
Africa, Tiger Brands has a significant Jungle lite energy bars. Also, recently, Purity
role to play in how we create value launched its most popular jarred baby food variants

for the health and wellbeing of our consumers. in a convenient on-the-go pouch. We’ve also tapped

This begins with how we drive interventions that into convenience through products that offer

support a healthier nutrition profile of the food we versatility — like Golden Cloud’s 3-in-1 baking

produce and extends to the responsibility we have mixes — and products that save time. Koo now

to support broader interventions, which impact offers highly-nutritious canned black beans and

the overall wellbeing of our consumers. It is ACE Quick Cook Samp assists consumers as they

a multipronged approach that targets both no longer need to spend hours and litres of water

food products and consumer behaviour in a preparing samp.

closed loop. Convenience, however, cannot be seen in

Through our brands, we have a isolation. We need to address the demand for

pronounced ability to tap into the need products that are fortified, enriched and “good for

states, food consumption patterns, and you” and allow for better choices for the more modern

the changing habits of our consumers. consumer at prices that make nutrition affordable. In

These insights provide a significant our grains business, for example, we have drastically

opportunity for us, together increased micronutrient fortification, and across the

with other FMCG corporates, to basket, this equates to an increase of over 30 per cent.

launch food innovations that meet Considering the nutrient profile of the foods we

the nutritional requirements of offer and their impact on wellbeing means that

consumers in formats that keep food manufacturers must find ways to secure a

abreast with their consumption local supply of nutrient-dense ingredients that

behaviours and pockets. At the same could easily service the needs of their consumers.

time, the onus lies with us to drive marketing Sorghum — Africa’s ancient grain — is a staple

and communication campaigns that promote an found in our Morvite and King Korn products. The

understanding of good nutrition and drive healthy versatility of sorghum combined with the fact that

behaviour regarding food and consumption. it is acceptable for consumption by people with

Convenience is a great example of a fast-growing wheat allergens makes it extremely important as a

trend that offers food companies the opportunity staple crop. Some of the health benefits of sorghum

to innovate by tapping into how consumers behave include its ability to prevent certain types of cancer,

in an “always-on” modern world of work where help control diabetes, offer a dietary option for people

demands on nutrition to fuel busy minds and lives with celiac disease, improve digestive health, and

is pivotal. These consumers rely on on-the-go boost energy to fuel productivity. We’ve also taken

options, a factor that propels them to seek out this grain to our Jungle brand with Jungle Plus,

products that deliver quickly, but which also combining the goodness of oats with the benefits of

raises the bar on the role we as FMCG brand sorghum in a nutritious meal that can be enjoyed as a

marketers have in building an understanding of cereal or as an on-the-go drink.

12 WO R L D F O O D DAY

ADVERSTTORIAAPL

To ensure a reliable supply of high-quality sorghum With the high burden that disease places on innovation and education, are fundamental and our
to deliver this value proposition, we have been families and on governments, food companies have responsibility. Tiger Brands has been working hard
proactively nurturing new local black smallholder a real opportunity to proactively and positively to combine the health and convenience trend with
farmers through our Enterprise and Supplier influence consumer behaviours through awareness increased affordability and value — one product, more
Development Programme. and education. value. We are committed to responsible and deliberate

Tiger Brands has been working hard to combine “With the high burden that disease places on families and
the health and convenience trend with increased on governments, food companies have a real opportunity to
affordability and value — one product, more value. proactively and positively influence consumer behaviours
Our Tastic rice brand recently launched an affordable through awareness and education.“ – Becky Opdyke
brown rice product to reflect consumer desire for an
increasing focus on health and nutrition. We evolved We are dedicated to helping consumers make interventions as a food producer and as a marketer
our bread brand Albany to create a new loaf, Albany better food choices so that following a healthier of food brands. This deliberate marriage between
Best of Both Genius, which is a speciality bread made lifestyle becomes easier. In 2009, we were the innovation and education is part of how Tiger Brands
for kids; it has added nutrients that provide benefits first South African company to initiate the is able to deliver its purpose of nourishing and
such as boosting the immune system. We’ve also on-pack Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA) table nurturing more lives, every day.
just introduced Ace maize meal with added fibre, indicating the percentage of sugar, salt and saturated
which assists with a healthy gut, an innovation that fats consumed when eating the product. This CONTACT INFORMATION:
complements our current portfolio and is a direct formed part of our broader Eat Well Live Well +27 11 840 4000
response to consumer health needs. Finally, we’ve programme, an online resource, which promotes www.tigerbrands.com
created Tastic quick-cook rice, which cooks quicker an understanding of nutrition and suggests ideas
resulting in less energy and water usage. on how to prepare delicious meals that are balanced
and nutritious. In 2015, we introduced the Be
Our research and development focus is ongoing Nutrient Wise system on the front of each pack; its
and aligned with innovations and global trends. logo alerts consumers to be mindful of the nutrients
A great example of this is the global shift toward associated with the product. This information
proactively reducing high-risk nutrients in foods as enables consumers to proactively monitor
a way to help combat non-communicable diseases nutrients in their diet and guard against the risk of
such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. As a non-communicable disease.
result of consistent salt and sugar reduction strategies,
Tiger Brands has reduced sugar by 37 per cent on In taking a leadership position on modern food
its sweetened beverages and achieved 100 per cent labelling practices in South Africa with a focus
compliance on regulation targets to reduce sodium. on transparency and education, our programmes
continue to empower consumers to make informed
We must also advance the other levers we have as decisions about their dietary intake and support
marketers. This includes pack size architecture to the government’s efforts in driving education
assist with portion control, as well as ensuring the around healthier eating choices.
format of on-pack information is easy to understand
and consumer-friendly. With food security front of mind, we believe that
our collective efforts, through strong partnerships
Education — a new responsibility and collaboration underpinned with a focus on

This brings me to the other new responsibility for
food FMCGs — that of education.

WO R L D F O O D DAY 13


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