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| Chairperson of LOC says networking top of the list at 2017 IFAJ world congress. Photo shows agriculture journalists from Danmark and Gambia (Photo Credit: Tom Bricknell/Australia) |
By Modou S. Joof, Pretoria, South
Africa
The
2017 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) World Congress
opened on Sunday with emphasis on networking as one of the “most valued
aspects” of the federation.
Chairperson
of the Organising Committee, Nico van Burick, said IFAJ members rate networking
opportunities at congresses as among the most valued aspects of their IFAJ membership.
“It
is my wish that this will be on top of everyone’s list at the congress in sunny
South Africa and you all will make friends for life,” he said in a pre-shared
statement.
He
said that the congress is also meant for journalists to gain professional
development skills and to learn about the host country’s agriculture.
Gateway to Africa
South
Africa is a water scarce country where only 12 per cent of land can be used for
crop production, but it is Africa’s largest producer and the only net exporter
of food on the continent.
Mr. Burick
said the country have a modern commercial farming sector as well as small-scale
farming and subsistence-based African farming in the deeper rural areas.
“We
all know the estimates. To feed a world population of nine billion people by
2050 will require an increase of at least 70 per cent in production,” he said.
“Africa
can do it and South Africa is the gateway to the rest of Africa. Already, more
than 2000 South African farmers are involved in about 40 African countries.”
Speaking
at the Keivitskroon in Pretoria, Charl Senekal, Custodian of Agricultural
Writers South Africa, said South African farmers are some of the best in the
world.
He
said farmers are also keen to learn and black farmers are coming in today and the
success stories he hears is that each farmer wants to do better.
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| Journalists from Togo, Uganda, Kenya and Japan network at welcome dinner (Photo Credit: M.S.Joof/TNBES/April 2) |
Critical role
A
hundred and thirty six journalists from thirty countries are taking part in
this year’s IFAJ congress.
Kobus
Steenekamp, Managing Director of Monsanto, recognizes the crucial role they
play in the advancement of agriculture in Africa and the world.
He
said journalists play a critical role in agricultural development. He said it
is important to put back the belief in science and that technology is critical
to ensuring household food security.
He said
Monsanto, a biotech company, is effectively contributing to agricultural
development not only in South Africa but across the world.
Holding
under the theme Africa It’s Time, the 2017 IFAJ congress also recognized the
2017 participants of the IFAJ/Dupont Pioneer Master Class and the IFAJ/Alltech
Young Leaders Programme at the welcome dinner.
The
two groups of 10 participants each were introduced to the congress and
presented with awards in recognition of their “outstanding work as agricultural
journalists and as future leaders of their countries’ agricultural guilds.”
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