THE NEED TO REFORM SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES THIS WORLD FOOD DAY

In anticipation of World Food Day, which falls on the 16th of October, we turn our attention to the critical role that sustainable agriculture plays in addressing global food security challenges. This year's World Food Day is all the more relevant as it underscores the importance of supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, specifically, goal number two: achieving sustainable food production systems. Gerhard Coetzer, Managing Director of Bontera South Africa, shares his insights on the pressing need to revolutionize sustainable farming practices, with a focus on addressing soil degradation and promoting environmentally friendly alternatives.

"In a world grappling with the urgent need for sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices, several pressing concerns and issues need to be addressed," says Gerhard Coetzer. "Soil degradation poses a significant risk to farmers and affects the quality and quantity of food produced. Degraded soils lack essential nutrients and water retention capacity, making crops more susceptible to droughts and other stresses. This leads to increased expenses for farmers who must invest more in external nutrient sources and pesticides to combat pests and diseases."

Furthermore, degraded soils yield lower-quality produce, which drives up prices for end consumers. Another concern is the strain on natural habitats caused by the increasing demand for food production. The reliance on chemical fertilizers in traditional farming methods has led to significant environmental consequences, including high carbon emissions and water pollution.

Addressing these issues, Bontera has pioneered a revolutionary approach to sustainable farming. Coetzer explains, "The pioneering group of scientists from Bontera recognized these concerns and is actively addressing them. At the heart of our approach is the development of products based on naturally occurring soil microbes. Unlike other microorganism-based products that focus on single microorganisms performing specific functions, our products harness the power of diverse microbial communities. These high-performance products, enriched with organic acids and micronutrients, work in harmony with plants, helping them obtain essential nutrients and promoting biodiversity in both the soil and the plant."

Bontera goes beyond simply solving problems related to pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies. They aim to optimize plant growth and prevent these issues from arising in the first place. Using their microbial products, they empower plants to resist diseases and ensure they receive the necessary nutrition, resulting in healthier and more resilient crops.

Gerhard Coetzer emphasizes, "Recognizing the need for change, we aim to be at the forefront of the transition toward environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical products, believing that providing tangible, effective solutions will motivate farmers to adopt more sustainable practices for the environment's sake and their long-term benefit. Our objectives align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goal number two: achieving sustainable food production systems. By implementing resilient agricultural practices and maintaining ecosystems, we aim to contribute to the target of ensuring sustainable food production systems by 2030."

Bontera is actively working towards this goal in sub-Saharan Africa, where the focus on immediate productivity often overshadows long-term sustainability. By addressing concerns such as soil degradation, environmental strain, and the reliance on chemicals, Bontera, together with their partner farmers, is making significant strides towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for agriculture. Coetzer concludes, "Innovation and commitment are much needed to provide effective alternatives to traditional farming methods, and are essential in ensuring the production of high-quality, abundant crops and foodstuffs—for long-term food security in our region."

This World Food Day, let's join hands to address the urgent need for sustainable farming practices and pave the way for a more sustainable and food-secure future.

-- ENDS --

On Behalf of: Bontera
For Media Information: Kerry Oliver
Telephone: 082-927-9470
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Bontera:

At Bontera we care deeply about helping growers produce the crops needed to feed the world’s ever-increasing population and about protecting our natural resources. These two strands are woven together in our commitment to developing safe, effective solutions for sustainable agriculture.

Our mission is to transform agriculture on a global scale through scientific knowledge and innovation. We focus on delivering unique, natural products that improve crop yield and quality while protecting our soil and water from the harmful effects of traditional chemical-based agriculture. Our vision is to eliminate the need for harmful chemicals, reduce water consumption, to improve soil fertility, and ultimately the quality of our food supply.

Our state-of-the-art products are based on naturally occurring soil microbes selected for their superior performance and functionality. These specialized microbes are the catalysts for achieving optimal soil fertility and increased crop yields. We are passionate about protecting our environment, and our products are 100 percent organically derived – free of GMOs and the chemicals that threaten the quality of our soil, water and food.