ADVERTORIAL

inputs. Trade in agricultural commodities is heavily

reliant on hard-working farmers. Yet many of the
small-scale farmers are trapped in a cycle of poverty
due to lack of resources, new technologies and
guaranteed markets for their produce.
Since its inception in 1999, AfricaBio has
provided technical support to more than 3 200 small-
scale farmers, community leaders and households
in rural communities, to produce more and better-
quality crops, conserve water and soil by using
biotechnology tools.
In addition, the organisation has trained more than
195 extension offcers, 329 international delegates,
95 decision-makers and 105 biotechnology
communicators in South Africa and the region.
For the past six years, AfricaBio, working with
national and international partners, has introduced
emerging farmers in Gauteng to GM insect-resistant
maize (Bt-maize). The project, supported by the
Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development (GDARD), has demonstrated the
benefts of agricultural biotechnology in protecting
crops, increasing yields and generating income for
the farmers.
Afri caBi o i s an i ndependent , non-profi t
biotechnology stakeholders association that
provides accurate information, and promotes
awareness, understanding and knowledge of
biotechnology and biosafety in South Africa and
the African region.
around the world, its use in agriculture has been
misunderstood, owing to one of its much-publicised
tools, genetically modified (GM) crops. Since
adoption in the 1990s, GM crops have improved
agricultural sustainability by increasing yields,
improving farmers income, creating jobs and
reducing the environmental footprint of food
production. In many parts of the world, including
developing countries, farmers are choosing GM
crops as part of their normal farming practices.
This type of crop is now the fastest-adopted crop
technology in the history of modern agriculture.
South African agriculture will need to be more
productive and sustainable to keep pace with the
increasing demand for food and other products from
the land. Compounding this challenge is the need for
farmers to keep up with the demand, while dealing
with climate change and limited resources such
as land, water, energy and increasingly expensive
KEEPING PACE WITH
FOOD DEMANDS
S
outh Africa is a food-secure country,
but nearly a quarter of its population
(over 50 million) are food-insecure at
a household level. According to the
Agricultural Research Council, South
Africas population will balloon to more than 80
million by 2035, making it critical for government to
double food production and intensify its distribution
to feed more people.
Biotechnology in agriculture offers an attractive
opportunity for addressing current and future food
challenges. In South Africa, effective biotechnology
policy will help in tackling pressing global problems:
food security, health, water, climate change and
energy. Its application will contribute to the Food
Security and Nutrition Policy, the Industrial Policy
Action Plan (IPAP) and the National Development
Plan, all aimed at a food-secure South Africa.
While biotechnology has transformed livelihoods
Nompumelelo H. Obokoh, PhD - Cantab, Pr.Sci. Nat.
Tel: +27 12 844 0126
Email: +27 86 619 9399
Website: www.africabio.com
CEO Dr Nompumelelo H. Obokoh
1 Skills Development