Page 25 - University of Pretoria Research Review 2017

Foreword
Introductory Messages
DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE
Land and Agriculture
PEOPLE AND CONTEXTS
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
PLANET AND SUSTAINABILITY
Awards
Lead Researchers
23
LAND AND AGRICULTURE
The achievement of SDG 15 – Sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems – is closely related to land use and agriculture, and to water and food security.
A central concern relates to land degradation and sustainable land management. South Africa’s National Development Plan foregrounds the main challenges related to land and agriculture as the marginalisation of the poor which requires changes
in access to resources − land, water, education and skills. Climate-soil combinations leave only 12% of the country suitable for the production of rainfed crops. Most of South Africa’s land (69%) is suitable for grazing, and livestock farming is by far the largest agricultural sector
in the country. With population growth at close on 2% annually, sustainable land and agricultural practices are critical to food security and the well-being of South Africa as a whole*.
* http://www.wwf.org.za/land/?2580/WWF%20 reveals%20Living%20Farm%20vision
Dave Berger