FORESTRY’S ROLE IN FOOD SECURITY

The International Day of Forests held in March 2025 highlighted the vital role that indigenous and planted forests play in sowing the seeds of change. This year’s theme focussed on forests and food, emphasising their importance in food security, nutrition and livelihoods. Forestry South Africa (FSA) views this day as an opportunity to recognise the interconnection between this sector and the rural communities it supports. The forestry sector uplifts some of the country’s most impoverished communities and invests in social initiatives that address socio-economic and environmental challenges. It supports small-scale farmers and promotes agro-forestry.

Over the past few decades, Merensky Timber has allocated extensive areas for communities to grow groundnuts amongst its planted trees. After a few months, beneficiaries harvested between 50 and 80 kg of nuts for personal consumption and to sell in informal markets. Sappi, Safcol, MTO and Mondi have similar programmes that include business skills training for beneficiaries, helping them access formal markets such as the peanut butter industry. PG Bison has provided land in the Eastern Cape for community vegetable farming.

Across the country, corporate and forestry enterprises have donated land, equipment, expertise, irrigation and seeds to create vegetable gardens, the produce of which supplies nutritious food to vulnerable people and schools. The forestry sector empowers SMMEs through targeted training, mentorship and financial support.

www.forestrysouthafrica.co.za