Glass half-full for agri sector, financier expects positive growth

1st May 2015

By: Mia Breytenbach

Creamer Media Deputy Editor: Features

  

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From a production perspective, the future of the South African agriculture sector is brighter than expected, which is a good sign when it comes to food security, says South African financial services group Standard Bank.

This outlook can be attributed to the country’s positive population growth, the sustained growth in per capita income and strong regional growth, as well as evolving consumer behaviour, says Standard Bank Agribusiness head Nico Groenewald. He explains that these factors are considered the demand-pull growth factors driving agriculture demand for food and textiles.

“These positive aspects are pulling local agriculture into a positive environment,” he says, pointing out that, as the sector has experienced stable, positive growth since 2011, Standard Bank continues to foresee that growth in the future.

Agriculture achieved below 6% growth in 2014 – a growth that outweighs the current economic growth, Groenewald stresses.

Statistics South Africa states: “South Africa’s economy grew by 1.5% in 2014, down from 2.2% in 2013, according to preliminary estimates of real gross domestic product (GDP),” with the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry growing the fastest in 2014, expanding by 5.6%.

While a portion of this growth can be attributed to the exchange rate, in terms of export products – in US dollars, where applicable – the expanding production capacity and product quality provided would also have assisted industry growth, adds Groenewald.

Industry Concerns
He further highlights several industry concerns that affect the current growth forecast of the sector. These include climate change and droughts, which are an ongoing challenge, though a normal and unfortunate phenomenon in agriculture.

In light of this, he notes that Standard Bank needs to include the impact of the current drought situation in the summer grain-producing areas of the country in its calculations for the predicted growth. Groenewald adds that Standard Bank would, towards the end of this month, be in a better position to see the true impact of the drought in the summer rainfall areas.

“With this in mind, we need to distinguish between the drought South Africa is currently experiencing and the longer-term change in the environment. As it is a fact that the western region of South Africa is becoming drier and the eastern part of South Africa is becoming wetter, we need to ensure that we plan and manage what we plant and cultivate accordingly.”

Groenewald further highlights the inconsistent electricity supply owing to load-shedding as another challenge currently facing the sector.

Electricity supply remains critical for agriculture, particularly for intensive farming operations that implement copious irrigation for specific processes in the production process. The absence of electricity for irrigation could disturb the biological cycles, thereby potentially negatively impacting on the business, he says.

“However, farmers are exploring alternative sources of energy, including wind and solar, as well as the use of plant material for biogas,” he says, pointing out that this will become a greater trend in agriculture to ensure farmers’ independence, as well as a secure and sustainable electricity supply.

He adds, as an example, that the local sugar industry is pursuing these concepts, while feedlots are also exploring biogas energy- source adaptation methods.

Sector Debate
Groenewald points out that farmers are aware of and debate these industry challenges vigorously. Further, he reiterates that these issues, including climate change, labour relations, the interplay between labour and the application of technology, labour training on how best to best use available technology, and the proposed land reform framework, should be key topics discussed at this year’s Nampo Harvest Day.

The event will take place in Bothaville, in the Free State, from May 12 to 15.

During the 2015 State of the Nation address in February, President Jacob Zuma noted that, in terms of a proposed Bill, “a maximum ceiling of 12 000 ha [will be imposed] on agricultural land owned by all legal and natural persons (including South Africans)”.

“Nampo is the biggest showcase of agriculture in the southern hemisphere and aims to ensure awareness of the role that it plays. Further, while primary agricultural production only contributes about 2.5% to the economy, it remains of strategic importance that the sector is stable and progressing to ensure food security,” Groenewald concludes.

Edited by Samantha Herbst
Creamer Media Deputy Editor

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