FEEDING SOUTH AFRICA'S GROWING POPULATION

Summary

With the exception of a few commodities the Republic supplies its own requirements of the most important agricultural products, but its natural resources have serious limitations as far as the potential for food production is concerned. In this paper an attempt is made, firstly, to analyse the impact made by science (research) on capital inputs such as land, seed, fertilizers, pesticides and equipment and, secondly, to focus attention on the important role to be played by training and extension on the human inputs. The national and international research effort gives every reason for an optimistic view on the food production situation. However, agriculture can succeed in its task only if the available scientific knowledge is applied in farming practice. The best way of ensuring this is by means of the education and training of prospective farmers. Especially in the homelands, this aspect deserves the serious attention of the authorities.