Results of a recent audit of Woolworths 15 largest fruit and vegetable growers, who supply some 37% of Woolies fresh produce on a total area of about 45 000 hectares, show that Farming for the Future, Woolworths pioneering holistic approach to farming, is achieving what it sets out to do: help farmers grow quality produce while protecting the environment, preserving natural resources and reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides – all without adding anything to the price the consumer pays at retail. Woolworths has received support for this initiative from WWF South Africa. The key to the success of Farming for the Future is soil health. When soil is healthy, it requires less irrigation because it is better able to retain water, and soil erosion and loss of top soil are reduced. Healthy soil also requires fewer chemical interventions, so there is less chemical run-off into water systems, which helps maintain water quality. Using fewer chemicals and pesticides also contributes to maintaining and encouraging biodiversity. The recent audit revealed some remarkable achievements, such as an average 20% reduction in the use of synthetic fertilisers and an average increase of 34% in compost use. Over the years, South Africa’s farmers have relied on synthetic fertilisers to boost production. However, synthetic fertilisers only feed the plants, unlike compost, which builds soil structure and increases soil microbial activity. Farming for the Future has challenged Woolworths farmers to focus on building soil health for optimal plant growth and production. One of the most impressive results is a 3% increase in soil carbon. That may not sound like much, but, as Woolworths Technologist Kobus Pienaar, explains, “South African soils are historically low in carbon. In fact, the amount of carbon in our soils has been steadily declining over the years. The 3% increase in soil carbon is actually quite substantial.” Another quite impressive statistic is that 720.9 million m3 of water has been saved over the past three years. That’s about double the capacity of the Grootdraai Dam (part of the Vaal River system). Says Pienaar, “Although we have had optimal rains, some of this reduction – which represents a 16% drop in water usage – is a result of optimising irrigation and upgrading old systems.” Agriculture is by far the biggest user of water in South Africa. While Woolworths farmers have for many years minimised their use of pesticides and herbicides, the adoption of Farming for the Future’s sustainable pest management techniques, such as integrated pest management, has resulted in a substantial initial decrease – in the region of 50% – in pesticide and herbicide usage, as well as an increase in biodiversity. There have been other positive spin-offs from the implementation of Farming for the Future as well: with farmers focusing on reducing waste, they’ve found innovative ways of recycling, resulting in a 32% increase in recycling and a 13% decrease in solid waste material going to landfills. A further benefit has been an 18% reduction in fossil fuel use. “We are exceptionally pleased with and heartened by the results this audit has revealed,” says Woolworths Managing Director of Foods, Zyda Rylands. “It has been less than two years since we officially launched Farming for the Future, and it is already one of the major focuses of our sustainability programme, our Good business journey, and played a key role in Woolworths winning the International Responsible Retailer of the Year award last year — the second time in three years we’ve received that accolade.” She continues, “Food security remains a challenge, not only for South Africa, but for Africa as a whole. If we accept that the conventional approach to farming is not sustainable, then we need to adopt a different approach, one that produces quality food and also protects the environment, preserves natural resources, and provides a livelihood for the agricultural community. We believe that Farming for the Future is that kind of farming.” All Woolworths produce farmers – other than those who exclusively grow organic produce – have adopted Farming for the Future practices and will be audited on a regular basis. Based on the success that the programme has had with produce, Woolworths is rolling out the initiative to its wine growers and horticulture suppliers. NOTES FOR THE EDITOR FARMING FOR THE FUTURE In a nutshell, Farming for the Future is a holistic approach based on working with nature instead of against it, and combining the best of conventional farming with the best of organic farming. Virtually every aspect of the farming process is systematically and scientifically managed. Rather than relying on past experience and blanket formulae, interventions, such as irrigation or the application of fertiliser, are based on actual measurements and analysis. This means that things like water or nutrients are only used if and when required. While healthy soil is the principal key to producing healthy crops, soil microbial activity and soil minerals are only two of some seven areas that farmers have to monitor regularly. The others include plant health, pest control, water (both in terms of water requirements and management of waste water), and biodiversity. Consumer benefits of Farming for the Future • it does not cost customers more • improves soil and water quality • promotes water saving • encourages biodiversity • cares for the environment How we measure Farming for the Future • Soil Mineral Management: Farming for the Future reduces the use of synthetic fertilisers by increasing on-farm nutrient cycling and make use of measurements to determine if the minerals in the soil are correct. • Soil Microbe Management: Farming for the Future builds soil structure, soil microbial activity and soil carbon by reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides with increasing on-farm nutrient cycling. • Pest Management: Farming for the Future employs integrated pest management principles in order to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and herbicides. By reducing the use of chemicals, resistance to pesticides, possible chemical contamination of the environment and/or food, and health risks to spray operators are reduced. • Plant Management: Farming for the Future improves the management of plants through leaf analysis, monitoring plants, seed treatment, foliar fertilising, fertigation, intercropping, growth stimulants, hydroponics and atmospheric management. • Water Management: Farming for the Future ensures the use of water per kilogram of product produced is optimised and any negative impact of poor water usage on the environment is reduced. Crops receive the optimum amount of water required rather than routine irrigation. • Biodiversity Management: Biodiversity is improved by managing the following: threatened eco-systems, invading alien plants, veldt-fires, corridors and habitat fragmentation, restoration and rehabilitation, game management in natural areas and the impact of agricultural by-products (plastic containers, plastic from hydroponics etc.). • Waste Water Management: Farming for the Future helps prevent the negative impact of effluent water on the environment. THE GOOD BUSINES JOURNEY In brief, our Good business journey is our comprehensive plan to make a difference in four key areas: transformation, social development, the environment and climate change – all challenges facing not only South Africa, but the world at large. Why a journey? Because real change is not achieved overnight – it happens one step at a time. WWF SUPPORT FOR FARMING FOR THE FUTURE Woolworths Farming for the Future initiative is supported by leading environmental organisation, WWF South Africa, in particular the WWF Sustainable Agriculture Programme. A WWF spokesperson commented as follows: “Protect