Agriculture - Farming

Agriculture is in fact a crucial necessity for our very survival. Used to provide our ever growing population with food security, ecotourism and job creation. However it has become a known fact that we need new environmental practices to keep up with our needs. Food prices are constantly increasing due to the lack of sustainability of farming methods.

“Agriculture has done more to reshape

the natural world than anything else

we humans do, both its landscapes and

its fauna and flora. Our eating also

constitutes a relationship with dozens

of other species - plants, animals and

fungi - with which we have co-evolved

to the point where our fates are deeply

intertwined.”   Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma

South Africa’s population is growing at almost 2% per year. The

population of 49 million in 2009 is expected to grow to 82 million

by the year 2035. In order to keep up with our expanding population, food production needs to double. Although South Africa’s agriculture sector is overall well developed and for many years a net food exporter, national maize production in South Africa relies

on the rainfall.The production has remained constant which is concerning as our produce needs grow and maize production may soon not meet

local demand, affecting both local and regional supply. Maize is the Countries dietary staple, export crop and livestock feed. This in turn starts to affect the red meat, chicken and dairy sector because the animals food supply demands start to grow as well. 

The increased use of farmlands in order to meet the needs of the growing population in turn has a negative effect on economic growth, social improvement, and trade. The rate of nutrient depletion in the soils is a damage that seems irreversible even with desperate measures such as doubling the application of fertilizer, manure or halving erosion losses would still not be enough to regain the nutrient loss. However one of the main reasons for a negative impact on South African agriculture is water availability due to climate change. This has caused a decline in the number of farmlands.  As farmers are relying on the over use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides, the quality of the soil starts do diminish causing water pollution, soil erosion, exposes the workers to toxins and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.