Farms, food and trade protection is crucial

August 2025

DR GODFREY KGATLE, RESEARCH COORDINATOR, GRAIN SA

THE BIOSECURITY SUMMIT 2025 WAS A KEY GATHERING AIMED AT HELPING FARMERS PROTECT THEIR CROPS AND LIVESTOCK FROM DAMAGING THREATS, SUCH AS GOSS’S WILT AND FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. THESE DISEASES NOT ONLY REDUCE HARVESTS AND ANIMAL HEALTH, BUT CAN ALSO BLOCK EXPORTS, LEAD TO BILLIONS IN LOSSES AND PUT JOBS AT RISK.

The event, which was held at the University of Pretoria (UP) and hosted by the National Biosecurity Hub under the theme ‘Collaborative actions for food security and trade’, brought together experts, farmers, government and agribusiness leaders.

Together they looked at ways to build a strong national biosecurity plan, which includes early warning systems, good on-farm practices and teamwork across all sectors to ensure farmers can keep producing food, earn a living and create rural jobs for the future.

It was a reminder that a strong farming sector needs proper support and systems to stop these threats before they spread.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOSECURITY FOR THE GRAIN INDUSTRY
Farmers face significant challenges from pests, diseases and weeds, which can wipe out crops or livestock and lead to a profound income loss. Diseases such as Sclerotinia have caused up to 80% yield losses in oilseeds, while others like Goss’s wilt and Sudden Death Syndrome can lead to immediate export bans.

These threats highlight the need for every farmer to have a strong, practical biosecurity plan to keep farms safe before, during and after production, with support from the government, researchers and the farming industry.

Recent biosecurity threats 
During the past five years, the grain industry has faced several serious threats:

• Goss’s wilt was detected in South Africa in 2024, leading to trade bans, but through a task team and science-based action, the Namibia and Botswana ban was lifted, allowing over 550 000 tons of maize to be exported again.
• Sclerotinia hit sunflower production hard, with 90% of grain in the Koster area needing to be cleaned before delivery. The South African Sclerotinia Research Network has been set up to help manage this.
• Weeds such as Palmer amaranth, which is herbicide-resistant, continue to spread.
• And although not a plant disease, avian flu has affected the grain demand by reducing feed needs in the poultry sector, showing how animal health also impacts grain farmers.

CURRENT INDUSTRY ACTIONS
Grain SA, in partnership with other stakeholders such as the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), are actively building biosecurity capacity in the sector. This includes setting up diagnostic clinics to quickly and accurately identify diseases and pests.

However, there is still a major need to improve pest and disease monitoring systems across the country. More investment is required to train young people and researchers to respond to these threats before they grow into crises.

Planning for a safer future
To prepare for the future, Grain SA is working closely with the Biosecurity Hub at the University of Pretoria to develop a national Grain Industry Biosecurity Plan. This plan depends on strong teamwork across the sector and includes clear, practical biosecurity guidelines for farmers to use on their farms. Education and awareness are key, and Grain SA is actively sharing information to help farmers protect their crops and livestock.

WHAT DO THE LEADERS SAY?
Key takeaways from some of the leaders in the agricultural sector who were part of the summit:

• Prof Francis Petersen (vice-chancellor of UP) opened the summit by stressing that biosecurity is a global challenge, requiring local solutions and rapid response systems.
• Dr Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, highlighted that South Africa’s agricultural sector has doubled in value since 1994, with record exports and over 930 000 jobs in 2025.
• Dr Noluthando Netnou Nkoana from the Department of Agriculture,  stated that strengthening biosecurity and protecting farmers from pests, weeds and diseases are essential to ensuring sufficient food production to uphold this right.
• The minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, emphasised that biosecurity and food security are core pillars of the national agricultural strategy, and that success requires trust, data sharing and inclusive governance.
• Prof Lisa Korsten from UP highlighted the importance of diagnostics in safeguarding food security, sovereignty and trade, while raising concerns about food safety incidents such as listeriosis and spaza shop disasters.

The consensus is clear, biosecurity is a shared responsibility among the government, industry, researchers, farmers and the public. Building a resilient system means embedding trust, transparency, commitment and enabling legislation.

CONCLUSION
The Biosecurity Summit 2025 made it clear that protecting South Africa’s farms from pests, diseases and other biosecurity threats is not just a technical issue, it’s essential for ensuring food security, safeguarding trade and securing rural jobs. Through strong collaboration, practical on-farm measures, investment in diagnostics and research, and clear national planning, the agricultural sector can build a more resilient future.

Publication: August 2025

Section: Pula/Imvula