Cultivar and technology agency launched

Aleksandr1982 via pixabay

The relevant crops are wheat, barley, soya beans and some canola cultivars. Although farmers have the fullest right to hold back seeds from these self-pollinated crops for future planting, this practice reduces the quantity of new seeds sold and it is thus not worth their while for seed companies to invest in the breeding and technology of these crops.

Without the latest technology, it is impossible for South African producers to compete against their international counterparts, who make use of the best seeds and latest technologies available. During the launch, it was stressed that it takes more or less 12 years and costs over R16m to bring a new cultivar to the market.

Farmers have to take ownership of open commodities in farming

Andries Theron, chairman of the SACTA board gave a farmer’s perspective with his presentation at the launch. He said farmers have to take ownership of the open commodities in farming. He used wheat as an example and said they have to focus on issues such as quality.

“In 2000 we had 4,000 wheat farmers and in 2015 only 1,500 and today, even less,” said Theron. He said it is about profitability. Currently, South Africa imports more than 50% of our wheat and there is not enough investment in new breeding programmes. Biotechnology can make a difference and that is SACTA’s purpose, together with a sustainable seed funding programme. The Breeding and Technology Levy was established and SACTA was created to administer it.

In South Africa, the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (Act47 of 1996) provides for the application of a statutory levy. SACTA has the support of farmers and it collects the levy from them. The agency is a separate body and a legitimate central institution which administers the breeding levies for all self-pollinated grain and oilseed crops. SACTA believes that all cultivars should offer a healthy balance between yield and quality so that all parties in the value chain benefit. The system is driven by the free market, dictated by demand.