Commercial farmers and smallholders must produce greater yields

Maize, wheat and Soya beans serve as staple foods in many countries around the world and agricultural sector experts agree that food safety is under serious threat as the global population continues to grow. According to a report released by international agricultural financier Rabobank, various shifts in maize production have decelerated yield growth in countries such as the US.

Other threats to global food security include wasteful water use, inadequate infrastructure and climate change. Yield shortfalls, expanding markets and a rise in middle classes around the world have also contributed to high food prices, said Karoo general manager Lomo van Rensburg, adding that food prices would continue to dominate agriculture and consumer forums for the next seven years. The most efficient way to utilise this growth, he said, is through increased yields and investment in technology, since agriculture is a technology-driven sector that is constantly changing.

In addition, the global population is expected to exceed the 9 billion mark, by which time demands for nutritious plants for human consumption will double. In order to meet demand, countries in sub-Saharan Africa will have to increase the production of crops by 300 percent. The Klein Karoo's mentoring programme offer small commercial farmers initial training and scheduled visits by specialists to supply the farmers with information. According to Business Report, this can serve as a key to unlock the potential of smaller commercial farmers to fight hunger and to address the uncertainty of food production.

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