The UK Government is funding an agri-tech project to safeguard the future of beekeeping in South Africa. The sector contributes significantly to the economy and provides employment and is experiencing declining beekeepers, threatening food production due to suboptimal pollination. The project aims to use IoT technology to transform beekeeping by using sensors to collect real-time data that can inform decision-making and reduce labor requirements.
The project is being delivered by pollination management technologists AgriSound, supported by Agri-Tech Innovation Centre, Crop Health and Protection (CHAP) from the UK, and South Africa-based R&D organization, Cropimpi. The aim is to develop a low-cost technology solution and a digital training platform to support the next generation of beekeepers in South Africa. In addition, the IoT technology will collect data to improve hive management and drive broad-reaching benefits. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s Frontier Technology Livestreaming fund funds the project. International Business Development Manager for CHAP, Dr. Jenna Ross OBE, stated that beekeeping contributed R16 billion to the South African economy in 2016 and provided 180,000 jobs, but beekeeper numbers are declining. IoT technology can transform agricultural production to improve welfare, crop yields, and production sustainability. The project aims to create a potentially game-changing solution for a wide diversity of beekeepers in South Africa.
Analyzing the Agriculture Ecosystem in South Africa: Between Opportunities & Structural Challenges
South Africa’s agriculture ecosystem is diverse, ranging from commercial to small-scale subsistence agriculture. The sector significantly contributes to the country’s economy, accounting for 2.5% of the GDP and providing employment to around 5% of the population. Despite this, the sector faces several challenges, including declining beekeeper numbers, limited access to markets, and low levels of investment in infrastructure and technology.
Small-scale farmers face significant challenges, including a lack of access to financing and markets, limited land and water resources, and exposure to climate change. While government policies have aimed to support small-scale farmers through initiatives such as land reform and the provision of extension services, progress has been slow, and many farmers continue to struggle.
The commercial agriculture sector, on the other hand, has benefitted from greater access to capital and markets. However, the sector has been criticized for its high concentration levels and limited opportunities for small farmers to participate. As a result, there have been calls for greater collaboration between commercial and small-scale farmers and for policies to address land reform and improve access to financing and markets. Overall, South Africa’s agriculture ecosystem presents both opportunities and challenges, and there is a need for continued investment and policy support to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability and growth.
Photo by Tobias Reich on Unsplash
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