By Amelia Genis
Not everyone is pessimistic about agriculture in Africa; in fact, there is much innovation to celebrate.
One such optimist is Seelan Gobalsamy, CEO of Omnia Holdings, a company that provides specialised services to the agriculture, mining and chemicals industries. Speaking at the Argus Fertilizer Africa Conference in Cape Town in February, he said companies like Omnia, Foskor, ETG Africa and OCP Africa were at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for the continent.
Omnia analyses half a million soil samples annually, he said. “We are an African company. There are South African companies that manufacture biological fertilisers from kelp that they export to all developed countries.”
At a panel discussion on Africa as the new epicentre for research and development in food security, Gobalsamy highlighted the continent’s strengths, including its talented agronomists, advanced soil analysis laboratories, fertiliser manufacturing and distribution companies, and high-quality agricultural data for both small- and large-scale farmers.
“We are an agricultural power to reckon with. We should never doubt ourselves, or think that innovation only happens on the west coast of America.”
Other panellists took a more neutral stance. Niren Murugan, COO of ETG Africa, expressed confidence that the latest digital technologies and artificial intelligence will enhance farmers’ efficiency. He also believes these innovations have significant potential in the rest of Africa, though their success will depend on stronger collaboration between the private sector and development banks.
Habiba Mouttaki, chief commercial officer of OCP Africa, emphasised the need for patient investors – those willing to commit for the long term rather than expecting results within two or three years.
Adapting to a fast-changing world
Gobalsamy warned that countries are becoming increasingly focused on their own interests. “The world has become a little more insular. Instead of embracing the idea of a global village, nations increasingly view issues in terms of ‘one country, one us’.”
He noted that change was happening at an accelerated pace, with new governments and leaders in power making quick decisions. What keeps him awake at night is whether governments and businesses have the ability to adapt to these changes – and to know when to respond to geopolitical shifts and when to exercise restraint.
Julian Palliam, CEO of Foskor, a leading supplier of phosphate-based products in South Africa, sees this uncertainty as an opportunity for African companies to help shape the future they envision. “We should accept the challenge to reinvent ourselves and reimagine the way we do things.”
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