Page 16 - Business Sense-11.3 Rajesh Lutchman eBook

CONNECTING THE AGRIFOOD VALUE CHAIN

David White, DRG Importance of Food Security
Outsourcing CEO,
BusinessFit Chairman A strong theme emerging from
the contributions of each panel
and workshop was the enormous
n the importance of food security,
encouraging especially in an Africa context,
Iwords of Ben where the population is expected
Leyka, CEO,
African Agri to grow from its current estimate
in 2025 of 1.5 billion people to 2.5
Council,
“Market Access billion people in 2050. Knowledge
Africa 2025 is was shared at the conference,
where Africa’s building confidence that it is
agri-food quite possible for Africa to meet
industry meets its fast-growing demand for food,
with global opportunity through by analysing successes of small-
its vision to unlock international scale farmers in countries like
and regional markets, empower Kenya, using drones, agronomists,
agro-processing and smallholder soil specialists, and through the
farmers, and to accelerate Africa’s sharing of relevant data.
journey towards self-sufficiency David White, Andrew Kruger, Zimkhitha Mquteni-Mabanga, Stan Whiting, and Jeff Blackbeard at the Market Access Aggregation hubs were
in trade.” Africa Confernce considered essential in
There is every truth in this helping to manage legitimacy
statement of intent, as ministers Food safety and traceability plenary sessions and workshops, Stan Whiting, a business requirements across supply
from across the African are of course critical in creating where insights, experience, development specialist, explored chains, where for example
continent, leading South the confidence consumers innovation and guidance were global value chains, focusing on large-scale farmers, through
African political influencers, need to have to purchase shared. John Steenhuisen, retail and food manufacturing. their localisation and industry
large and small-scale farmers, agricultural products from minister of agriculture and land Meanwhile, Jeff Blackbeard, controls, could give small,
youth, and industry service South Africa and Africa. We in reform, while contributing to a director of markets, moderated medium, and micro business
specialists converged at the ICC many circumstances do meet panel discussion on harmonising a discussion on farmers’ the opportunity to contribute
in Durban on 2-3 June 2025. these exceptional international agricultural standards, reiterated challenges and successes in their produce into value chains
Their collective goal was to hear standards through our large- the importance of a united, accessing global markets. that are able to help them meet
about, speak about, and to forge scale farmers, whose operations integrated, and self-sufficient Jeff highlighted the importance compliance expectations, and
collaborations to ensure the are aligned with Global GAP agricultural sector in South of understanding tariffs, to benefit financially through
realisation of the conference’s Certification requirements. Africa and Africa. incentives, investment, AI, and their contributions.
purpose to: However, there is considerable Minister Steenhuisen further market access for farmers. He The conference was a huge
■ Diversify Africa’s export opportunity to grow our highlighted Africa’s trade future noted, “African agriculture success, and left participants and
landscape agricultural production and in a compelling keynote address, is transforming through delegates feeling inspired by the
■ Promote unique agricultural exports through involving outlining South Africa’s strategic digitisation, sustainability, and level of commitment, purpose
products SMEs and micro business in vision as chair of the G20 market innovation.” and ability at every level of the
agriculture value chains.
■ Enhance collaboration and Agriculture Working Group. He With a network of member agriculture value chain. From
coordination Strong Demand for SA’s Exports noted four key priorities driving firms across Africa, Moore farmers to service suppliers,
■ Increase Africa’s global market South Africa’s agricultural South Africa’s agriculture agenda: Global offers deep insights into to government officials and
share exports are substantial, and ■ Inclusion of smallholder local agricultural markets and policy makers, there was a sense
■ Empower agro-processors and reached a record high of USD farmers, women, and youth supply chains. Their expertise that not only our own African
farmers 13,7 billion in 2024, driven by ■ Accelerated innovation and can support farmers and food security needs will be met
strong demand for citrus, wine, technology transfer businesses in navigating complex through cooperation, technology
Breadbasket of the World and effective use of our arable
and nuts. South Africa’s largest ■ Resilient and sustainable food global value chains. land, but we as Africans have the
Africa, as echoed through trading partners are on the systems
dialogue throughout the African continent, where 44% of SME compliance, governance ability, through our farmers and
value chains, to feed the world.
conference, has the potential its export produce is distributed. ■ Fair global financing for African and sustainability service
to be the breadbasket of the Other significant trading producers providers, DRG and BusinessFit Big ‘Thank-You’s’ were shared
world, with some 60% of the partners for South Africa are The minister said, “It is not ran a workshop for emerging with the African Agri Council
world’s arable land. We ask, why Middle East countries at 21% and about aid, it’s about equity. It’s farmers speaking about the and the Market Access Africa
then, do we have such extreme the European Union at 19%. Top about unlocking Africa’s full importance of ensuring conference team, in particular
poverty and unemployment exports by value include citrus, agricultural potential.” The compliance and governance with Programme Chair
within the African continent? maize, apples, pears, wine, nuts, minister called for a reimagined in the creation of sustainable Dr Gostina Gabby Malope and
We have the ability to feed the soyabeans, sugar, grapes, berries, African Growth and Opportunity business and markets. Nothando Programme Director Zimkhitha
whole world with nutritious fruit juices, and avocados. Act (AGOA) that empowers Khanyile spoke about Hazard Mquteni-Mabanga.
fresh food, and through the African SMEs and firmly Analysis and Critical Control
expansion of the agriculture To ensure healthy and challenges non-tariff barriers Point (HACCP) certification, The African Agri Council,
industry, to create large-scale productive farming and that hinder growth and market describing each of the steps African Agri Investment
employment opportunities. distribution practices within access. The minister said that needing to be followed to Indaba, will take place on the
The answer is not straight South Africa and on the South Africa will continue to lead gain such accreditation. 23-26 November 2025 in Cape
forward, but vast improvement continent, basic sustainability Emerging farmers found these Town. 
on current conditions can be and ethical norms must be efforts focused on blended finance contributions on adherence
gained through our ability to maintained. In particular, and de-risking of agricultural to rules, regulations, and DRG, BusinessFit, and SA Chamber UK
Contact David White,
unlock potential by harnessing adherence to health and safety investments, by supporting export standards essential in helping T: +27 (0)31 767 0625
technology, data, and innovative regulations, protection of ready infrastructure, facilitating them to better understand their E: david@drg.co.za
solutions that improve farming the environment, complying regional integration under the enterprise’s compliance and W: www.drg.co.za
practices, foster collaboration with labour laws, maintaining African Continental Free Trade risk mitigation requirements,
among farmers, and meet business ethics, upholding Area (AfCFTA), and ensuring and their responsibility to meet
international market standards animal welfare standards, a united African voice in global stakeholders’ expectations.
for value chain expectations and ensuring traceability of food system reform. “Compliance and governance
food safety. By leveraging these products, and meeting food and Accessing Global Markets are not just about ticking boxes,”
tools and approaches, Africa safety standards, is required. said Andrew Kruger, CFO at
can capitalise on its agricultural Moore Global, a specialist DRG, “but about doing what
strengths, create employment Africa’s Trade Future accounting and advisory firm, is right to protect people, the
opportunities, and drive The two-day Market Access facilitated two panel discussions planet, and the reputation of the
economic growth. Africa Conference consisted of as a knowledge partner. agri industry.”

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