Rising input costs a serious challenge for future food production
21 October 2021
Rising input costs, such as direct materials, direct labour and other overheads, are posing a major challenge to food production in South Africa.
“The costs of fertiliser, herbicides, packaging, diesel, electricity and labour, to name a few, are increasing rapidly, making it nearly impossible for many farmers to produce food sustainably,” warns Christo van der Rheede, executive director of Agri SA.
Agri SA is therefore appealing to all stakeholders, including government, to engage and intervene in order to reduce the costs of critical inputs. “And to optimise substitute products available locally to avert an impending crisis in terms of sustainable food production and ultimately food security.”
These solutions and substitute products are on our doorstep, assures Van der Rheede.