The need to provide physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to all people in South Africa (SA) has became a great challenge. SA faces problems ranging from high unemployment and poverty to the ongoing energy crisis and rising costs of living. These impact negatively on SA’s state of food security by making food expensive and inaccessible to many and increasing the number of people and households experiencing malnutrition and hunger. A study on food inadequacy and hunger in SA conducted in 2021 by Statistics SA (Stats SA), found that 21% (3,7 million households) of the population had little to no access to food.

As such, there is a need to encourage household participation in agricultural activities or in production of their own food so that they can increase food accessibility and employment opportunities. It is also essential to invest in innovative farming techniques that will increase the production yields from farming and reduce environmental harm. This can be achieved through biotechnology, economic and societal development based on renewable sources.