Johannesburg - Although the world is experiencing an economic crisis, the world's grain supply is healthy, said Annatjie Loio,
president of the Grain Handling Organisation of Southern Africa (GOSA).
She said that of overall world grain supplies, maize was at 136.66 million tons, wheat was at 149.96 million tons, soya was at 50 million tons and rice was at 84.6 million tons at the end of February 2009.
Speaking at the organisation's annual general meeting, Loio said that GOSA handled 16.2 million tons of grain through the country's silos during the past season without a hitch.
Nearly two million tons were exported to neighbouring countries.
She noted that maize topped the list with 12.7 million tons, followed by wheat at 2 million tons, sunflower seed at 900,000 tons, and grain sorghum at 250 000 tons.
However, according to Loio, it was predicted that the world's food production would, over the next five years, be reduced by one-third, and that Africa would be the worst hit, with over one billion people to feed.
Food consumers must be educated
"In these difficult times, the South African agricultural community is faced with major challenges that have to be addressed. The most important is food security. The government must from the outset again rethink the importance of southern Africa's dependence on South Africa for its grain supplies, as we are the pantry of Africa," she said.
"It must be made certain that our infrastructure is maintained at the highest standard. As far as food safety is concerned we must ensure that our grain is always stored hygienically," she said.
Meanwhile, speaking at a GOSA seminar held at Mossel Bay, Jannie de Villiers, executive director of the Chamber of Milling, said that his proposal for food security in South Africa was not to panic with ad hoc policy decisions that would have a long-term detrimental impact on the country, but to invest more in agriculture.
"Government has done very well thus far; it did the sensible thing in its reaction to the food price crisis. We do, however, need a much bigger commitment in terms of investment in agriculture to ensure the smooth supply of food at affordable prices to the people of South Africa.
"It is also necessary that consumers in the country as well as policymakers be educated that food prices eventually must carry the cost to be food secured as well as to protect the environment in which the food is produced," De Villiers said.
He also pleaded for attention to crop estimates to ensure improved market information.
"In 13 of the past 14 seasons the maize crop was underestimated, with resultant higher maize prices to consumers. It also influences our ability to export profitably, as we are not sure of the available crop," he said.
- I-Net Bridge