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GMOs and Aquaculture: South Africa uses GMOs, genetically modified organisms, but they have pretty strict regulations on them. GMOs are agricultural products that have modified genes. "Convention on Biological Diversity" states, "Maize, soybean and cotton are the only GM crops currently grown in South Africa. Strict risk assessments and quality assurances are done at every stage of GMO development to ensure close evaluation and monitoring long before these products are available on the market" (GMO REGULATION AND USE IN SOUTH AFRICA). "The Conversation" states, "In South Africa the legislation governing these plants came into force in 1999. The use of GM technology in South Africa – and other countries – has been highly successful. For example, it has led to South Africa doubling maize productivity, making it a net exporter of this commodity" (South Africa should rethink regulations on genetically modified plants). GMOs have led to more productive farming in South Africa.
Aquaculture is the agricultural practice of farming fish or other food in water. "SouthAfrica.co.za" states, "Freshwater fish farming in South Africa is defined by the term ‘aquaculture’ and describes the process of producing fish for food in freshwater systems such as dams, open and indoor ponds, recirculation systems and tanks. Together with consumer education about freshwater fish species and clear government policies, the industry has the potential to grow and provide both quality protein and sustainable jobs. The main food fish species produced in South Africa include trout, tilapia, marron (freshwater crayfish) and to a small extent, catfish" (Freshwater Aquaculture in South Africa)
Changes in Food Production and Consumption:
Urban farming is the farming/distribution of farming goods in an urban area. "Sol's Foods" states, "Urban farming in Cape Town and South Africa in general is becoming a more viable employment opportunity because of the low barriers to entry and the fact that you don’t need to be a large commercial farmer to carve out a living." Urban farming gives people in South Africa more job opportunities. According to "USDA" it states, "Urban agriculture allows for the development of a variety of environmental, economic, and social benefits to the surrounding communities. Urban farming can reduce transportation costs, help reduce runoff associated with heavy rainfall, and lead to better air quality" (Urban Agriculture).
Organic farming: "Zylum SA" states, "Organic farming in South Africa involves producing food crops and livestock in a way that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. Rather than the use of inputs with harmful effects, organic agriculture relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions" (Organic Farming & Organic Certification in South Africa). Organic farming preserves the soil's integrity/composition. It also improves biodiversity and reduces erosion. It reduces food-borne risks for the consumers as well. It also promotes stable development.
Fair trade farming is a form of farming that is based around better conditions and pay for their workers as well as a more sustainable way of farming "Fairtrade Africa" states, "Established in 2005, Fairtrade Africa is the independent non-profit umbrella organisation representing all Fairtrade certified producers in Africa. Fairtrade Africa is owned by its members, who are African producer organisations certified against international Fairtrade standards producing traditional export commodities such as coffee, cocoa, tea, cotton, bananas, mango and non-traditional commodities including shea butter and rooibos tea. Currently, the organisation represents over 1,050,000 producers across 33 countries in Africa...Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers. It’s about supporting the development of thriving farming and worker communities that have more control over their futures and protecting the environment in which they live and work" (Who We Are).
Community supported agriculture: In Cape Town, South Africa, there is a popular CSA. "Cape Town Green Map," it states, "Slow Food Cape Town runs a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) vegetable project which connects urban Capetonians with local, small scale, emerging organic farmers. CSA members pay in advance to share in the farmer's harvest, and receive a share every week through a veggie box scheme. The members can attend farm outings to meet the farmers and learn how their food is grown, and stay in touch via a weekly e-newsletter and blog, which explains the impact the weather and other forces have on the farm and crops, gives info about the farmers, and lets members share recipes and their experiences" (CSA Box Collection).
Value-Added Specialty Products: Value-added specialty crops are ones that have their value increased through particular production processes. An example would be orange juice. Orange juice is a largely produced product in South Africa. "Citrus Industry" states, "The production of orange juice (OJ) is estimated to rise by 16% to 28,440 MT in 2021–22. Concentrated OJ accounts for at least 90% of total OJ produced in South Africa. Domestic consumption of OJ will increase to 7,000 MT in 2021–22, up from 6,500 MT in 2020–21. Exports of OJ are expected to grow by 13% to 25,000 MT. Imports of OJ will remain flat at 2,000 MT in 2021–22. Zimbabwe is the main supplier of OJ to South Africa" (More Orange and OJ Production in South Africa). Value-added specialty products have a higher market value which is beneficial to the producers. They also have a higher shelf life than their fresher counterparts.
Challenges of Feeding the Population:
South Africa struggles with intense food insecurity in some areas. "Spotlight" states, "A StatsSA report measuring the prevalence of food insecurity in SA that was released in March this year found that almost 23.6% of people living in South Africa in 2020 were affected by moderate-to-severe food insecurity while almost 14.9% experienced severe food insecurity" (In-depth: What’s behind the increase in malnutrition deaths among Free State infants?). "The Conversation" states, "Approximately 11% (6.5 million) of South Africa’s population is hungry and food insecure. Conflict and insecurity, climate change, poverty, and population growth are primary drivers of hunger and food insecurity...In the Gauteng province, the richest of South Africa’s nine provinces on economic performance, about 35% of the population is meagre food insecure" (What’s driving hunger in Gauteng, South Africa’s economic power house).
A food desert is an area where people have very little access to affordable and healthy food. South Africa has many impoverished areas that can be considered food deserts.
The AMSCO textbook defines a food distribution system as, "A network of trade and transportation that get food from farms to consumers..." "Food Systems Profile" states, "two companies handle 70 percent of maize trading in South Africa. At the retail level, most food distribution takes place through five large corporations (Greenberg, 2017). The largest controls 36 percent of the market, employs almost 100 000 workers, and has more than 1 700 outlets of which 200 are located in other countries in Africa. The second and third largest outlets each hold 28 percent market shares. Supermarket food sales account for the largest share of all food consumed in South Africa, at 60 percent. Markets are segmented with differently branded and stocked outlets servicing different socioeconomic groups and locations" (South Africa).
Adverse weather can prevent proper agricultural farming. It can lead to less food for the population. This is an issue in South Africa because of the intense and arid climate around the country. This can lead to less food for the population because the growth is uneven due to the intense, dry weather.
Factors Affecting Food Production:
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