Seed as a primary input to agriculture plays a pivotal role in linking agriculture and biodiversity to food sovereignty. Civil society must contest the credibility of corporate consolidation in the South African seed system on the basis that it is inappropriate, given the country’s challenges around biodiversity loss, climate change adaptation and food insecurity. 

A USDA-Agricultural Research Service area-wide integrated weed control study started in 2015 is investigating weed harvesting and destruction tactics deployed in Australia and applying them to U.S. fields.

Research and grower experience suggests precision seeding can lower input costs and increase yields, at least potentially. Interest thus continues to grow, along with the variety of precision seeding equipment available. Price-tag numbers are not far behind, however.

With more known than ever before about the genes in plants, plant breeders are now breeding crops with less allergens in them.

As an export-oriented agricultural sector, South Africa must always pay attention to global developments and risks that could undercut its competitiveness in the world market.