The Bill provides for phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction, establishment and spread of regulated pests to safeguard South African agriculture and plant natural resources. (Image source: The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa)

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assented to the Plant Health Bill which sets out measures to combat plant pests that are of concern to domestic agriculture and may have an impact on South Africa’s ability to export agricultural products

Among its various impacts, the Bill signed by the President repeals the Agricultural Pests Act of 1983 which up to now regulated the national plant health (phytosanitary) system.

The new law responds to the concern that the introduction and spread of potentially damaging pests in South Africa could have a significantly negative impact on South African biosecurity, agricultural production and food security as well as on market access.

The Bill provides for phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction, establishment and spread of regulated pests to safeguard South African agriculture and plant natural resources. It also provides for the control of regulated pests, regulation of the movement of plants, plant products and other regulated articles into, within and out of the Republic.

The law brings South Africa into compliance with the World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures as well as the International Plant Protection Convention.

This compliance will support South Africa’s efforts to enter new markets and maintain current export markets, which will have a positive impact on the South African agricultural sector in terms of job creation and sustainable use of land and other natural resources.

PlanAI helps to deliver a prioritised list of high-ROI regenerative ag programmes aligned with a company’s climate goals and budget. (Image source: Regrow)

Agriculture Resilience Platform provider, Regrow Ag recently announced the launch of an advanced AI-driven solution, PlanAI designed to help companies create high-ROI regenerative agriculture programme and plans to meet scope 3 emissions targets

PlanAI allows agrifood companies to move beyond rough emissions estimates and underperforming pilots toward supply-specific strategies that deliver real progress toward scope 3 goals. 

In order to meet the 2030 climate targets, companies are under pressure to find cost-effective, high-impact strategies to cut emissions. They however lack the supply chain visibility needed to make informed decisions about where and how to invest in regenerative agriculture. PlanAI simplifies this process by using satellite monitoring, machine learning, and Tier 3 level modeling to provide primary emissions data for a company’s entire sourcing region.

By evaluating billions of data points through the analysis of every crop, growing practice, and region combination, PlanAI helps to deliver a prioritised list of high-ROI regenerative ag programmes aligned with a company’s climate goals and budget. Moreover, it delivers a tailored financial and environmental forecast, including total programme costs and estimated GHG reductions. This year-by-year breakdown helps companies track progress toward their Scope 3 targets while ensuring investments are directed toward the highest-return opportunities.

PlanAI also transforms complex emissions and financial data into clear, visual reports that highlight costs, projected GHG impact, and total regenerative area. These insights make it easier to gain stakeholder alignment, secure budgets, and develop effective grower outreach plans.

“Many of our customers have sustainability objectives but don’t know where to start with regenerative agriculture,” said Molly Kamrath, director of Business Integration and Improvement at Anchor Ingredients. “PlanAI helps us make actionable programme recommendations that will support customers’ progress toward their goals by identifying high-impact interventions for the crops they source from Anchor.”

An online event aimed at demonstrating the usage of PlanAI will be hosted by Regrow on 20 February. 

During the roundtable discussion at the fourth AATB Board of Governors Meeting, Ismael Nab highlighted he vital role of the AATB Program in fostering South-South cooperation in tackling food security issues. (Image source: AATB)

South-South Cooperation fosters collaboration among developing countries in the global South, enabling them to exchange knowledge, skills, resources, and best practices to drive mutual growth and development

This cooperation is crucial in addressing shared challenges and encouraging mutual growth. The Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) programme exemplifies South-South Cooperation, aiming to strengthen trade and investment ties between Arab and African nations. A key focus of the AATB Programme is the agriculture sector, evident in its Food Security Program designed to enhance food security and boost the agribusiness sector in member countries.

Food security is a pressing global issue, with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) aiming to end hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food year-round by 2030. However, conflicts, pandemics, and climate change have exacerbated food insecurity in many countries including some of those covered under this program. The COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts have disrupted global food supply chains, led to increases in food prices, and inflation, and plunged millions further into poverty and food insecurity. As of 2023, the World Food Programme estimated that 345 million people across 82 countries are experiencing acute food insecurity, a significant increase from pre-pandemic levels.

In this regard, the AATB Programme has put together a US$1.5bn trade facility to support food security challenges in Africa. Recognising agriculture as one of its key priorities, the AATB Programme has made significant strides through its Food Security Programme by means of capacity development programs, food security initiatives, lines of financing, trade financing, and insurance and guarantee solutions. This demonstrates the Program’s commitment to helping achieve the SDG 2 goal of ending world hunger. By leveraging sustainable practices and collaborative efforts with its member organizations, the AATB Food Security Programme ensures that member countries in Arab and African regions have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

Nigeria, for example, is the largest producer of cassava in the world, producing approximately 60 million tons annually, and the country contributes to about 20% of global production. This high production volume presents an excellent opportunity for Nigeria to trade cassava and its derivative products with Arab countries such as Egypt, which are high consumers of this highly nutritious tuber. The export of raw cassava, as well as processed products such as cassava flour, starch, gari, and tapioca, can significantly benefit both Nigeria and Arab nations. This trade can help diversify Nigeria's export base while providing consumer countries with essential food products and raw materials for their industries.

During the roundtable discussion at the fourth AATB Board of Governors Meeting held in Tunisia. Ismael Nab, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of Guinea, highlighted the vital role of the AATB Program in fostering South-South cooperation in tackling food security issues. He emphasised that Guinea Conakry faces challenges such as low productivity due to infertile soil, significant post-harvest wastage, and inadequate infrastructure. The minister emphasised that food security is not just a national issue but a humanitarian one, citing examples of countries like Vietnam and India, which produce surplus rice and export the excess. He advocated for South-South cooperation and other collaborative efforts where countries can share expertise and best practices to address food security challenges. According to him, agriculture is the future, and through partnerships, world hunger can be eradicated. He also suggested that countries in West Africa could form strategic partnerships with those in North and Southern Africa to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.

Trade rules should be incorporated into the overall arsenal of methods used to fight food insecurity. While some regions are affected by drought and other extreme weather conditions, the focus should be on those regions that already produce food and create trade tariffs that allow them to trade within the continent, and in Arab countries.

Changing these tariffs for basic food commodities in Africa and Arab countries, while providing financing support to improve existing food-producing capacities can significantly address food insecurity. Smallholder farmers should also be integrated into the overall value chain. Therefore, access to financing and the elimination of intra-African trade barriers are crucial steps toward solving the problem of food insecurity. Arab countries can collaborate with African nations to harmonise trade rules and reduce barriers, facilitating smoother and more efficient agricultural trade between regions.

Organisations also have a role to play in alleviating food security concerns. For example, Afreximbank has a range of initiatives to mitigate food security concerns in Africa. One such initiative involves financial instruments to de-risk agriculture, enabling broader participation. The bank's food security initiative in collaboration with the programme, the African Union, and other organisations aims to enable farmers to produce food effectively. The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) also plays a significant role in addressing global hunger through its comprehensive sector support programmes such as the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group's comprehensive US$10.54bn Food Security Response Programme (FSRP), by facilitating the import and export of food commodities, ensuring that countries facing food shortages have access to vital resources. These initiatives focus on empowering smallholder farmers by offering access to necessary resources and markets, thereby increasing agricultural productivity and reducing post-harvest losses.

South-South Cooperation, exemplified by the AATB Food Security Programme, is a powerful strategy for addressing food security challenges in Africa. By focusing on enhancing trade, improving infrastructure, and fostering innovation, Arab and African countries can collaboratively overcome barriers to food security, ensuring a more prosperous and food-secure future for all.

The backbone of CISANET’s incredible achievements is its alliance with AGRA, whose financial support propels its vision to new heights. (Image source: AGRA)

The Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET) has partnered with AGRA to begin a remarkable transformation through its dynamic Seed Monitoring Committees (SMCs)

Equipped with a deep understanding of the intricacies of seed production and distribution, SMCs act to ensure that only the highest quality seeds find their way into the hands of farmers. Their work involves monitoring seed quality according to established national standards in a bid to protect farmers from substandard seeds.

Yet their impact doesn’t stop there. Their commitment to excellence extends to every corner of the nation, especially the rural areas, where smallholder farmers are the heartbeat of agriculture. Through collaboration with seed producers and distributors, the SMCs establish plans to ensure a timely availability of certified seeds around the country.

“It is in these remote regions that the spark of transformation ignites, as smallholder farmers gain access to superior seed varieties, unlocking the door to bountiful harvests and financial prosperity,” said CISANET’s programme officer, Thokozani Guta.

The backbone of CISANET’s incredible achievements is its alliance with AGRA, whose financial support propels its vision to new heights. AGRA’s funding fuels an array of groundbreaking initiatives, from the comprehensive training programmes that empower SMC members with unrivaled expertise, to the establishment of robust monitoring mechanisms that strengthen the very foundations of the national seed system. The result is a dynamic force of change, a transformative seed system that propels smallholder farmers towards a future of food security and enriched livelihoods.

The impact of CISANET’s involvement rises beyond immediate improvements in seed quality and availability. With every seed sown, a ripple of collaboration radiates throughout the nation, converging farmers, seed producers, government agencies, and research institutions in a shared space of knowledge, innovation, and growth.

It is here that Malawi’s agricultural landscape transforms into a vibrant tapestry of progress, where ideas are nurtured, and boundaries are shattered. Through this collaborative approach, CISANET kindles the flames of agricultural growth, lighting the path toward a prosperous and sustainable future for the country’s smallholder farming households.