The invisible backbone of sustainable food production
Agriculture is not a single, uniform industry, but rather a complex network of commodities that mutually support one another. Every farming enterprise, whether focused on grain, livestock, poultry, dairy or horticultural products, operates within a broader ecosystem where environmental factors, human expertise and market forces converge. The choice of commodity is often determined by natural conditions such as climate, soil type and water availability, but also by the farmer’s personal preference, experience and management capacity. Ultimately, however, there is one decisive mechanism that determines success or failure: market forces.
Profitability is not a luxury or a trend; it is a necessity. Without profit there can be no sustainability, and without sustainability there can be no food security. A farming enterprise must be economically viable in order to survive, adapt and grow over time. This requires not only technical expertise, but also a particular mindset on the part of the producer. The modern farmer must possess certain core qualities.
First, there is accountability, he understanding that every decision, whether related to production, investment or risk, carries consequences for which the farmer is responsible. Second, a sense of urgency is essential. Agriculture does not wait: seasons, markets and diseases move quickly, and indecision can come at a high cost. Third, there must be a hunger for knowledge. In a world where technology, genetics and market dynamics are constantly evolving, knowledge is not handed out on a platter. Farmers must actively seek it, apply it and refine it. Closely linked to this is a future-oriented mindset, the ability to look beyond the current season and plan strategically for the decade ahead.
What is often overlooked is just how deeply interconnected agricultural commodities truly are. In South Africa, everyone is a consumer of agricultural products, yet even producers themselves are simultaneously dependent on other branches of the industry. Grain farmers, for example, do not produce solely for human consumption. A significant portion of their harvest is absorbed by the livestock, dairy and poultry industries as feed. This means that the wellbeing of these sectors is directly linked to the markets and income of grain producers.
When a disease such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease strikes the livestock industry, the impact is not confined to that sector alone. Restrictions on movement, exports and production lead to a decline in livestock numbers and feed intake. This creates a domino effect that affects grain farmers’ markets, places downward pressure on prices and ultimately reduces income. The same applies to avian influenza in the poultry industry or African swine fever in the pig industry. These diseases do not affect only the producers directly involved; they reverberate throughout the entire agricultural value chain.
This interdependence underscores the importance of balance between commodities. A healthy agricultural system is one in which no single sector operates in isolation, but where cooperation, coordination and shared responsibility prevail. Effective biosecurity, timely disease control and a functional regulatory environment are not only in the interest of one industry, but in the interest of all, producers and consumers alike.
Ultimately, the consumer is the end point of this complex system. Healthy, affordable food can only be provided if the entire agricultural ecosystem remains functional. When one link in the chain breaks, food prices rise, availability declines and food security is placed at risk. It is therefore in the interest of society as a whole that agricultural policy, market access and support are not approached in a fragmented manner, but holistically.
Agriculture is more than production: it is a matter of public interest. The balance between commodities, the sustainability of farming enterprises and the responsible management of risk together form the invisible backbone of South Africa’s food system. When this balance is managed correctly, everyone benefits, from the farmer in the field to the consumer at the table.
Each of us is challenged to develop an understanding of the other role players in the total value chain and the role each must fulfil. Food security and stability in the country represent the bottom line of agriculture’s balance sheet. Farmers are playing their part exceptionally well, despite operating to a large extent within an irrational policy environment.
The value chain must collectively engage, in every possible way, to address those aspects of an unhealthy policy environment that threaten food security.
Bennie van Zyl, General Manager, TLU SA
