Starvation on our borders

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IBG - SA Instrumentation & Control Buyers' Guide

August 2002 News

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has described the threatening famine in six southern African countries as the worst current humanitarian disaster in the world. At a recent media conference, James Morris of the WFP warned that approximately 13 million people are affected by the crisis that is worsening every day.

The six countries affected by the famine are Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia - the first four sharing borders with South Africa. Nearly 20% of the population of South Africa's land-locked neighbour, Lesotho, are at risk of starvation according to the UN Children's Fund.

To our north, the economic fiasco in Zimbabwe, combined with a concerted effort by the government to seize most white-owned commercial farms has resulted in many arable farms becoming unproductive. It is understandable that the Zimbabwean government wishes to empower its electorate with land, but doing so without sufficient training or education is a recipe for disaster. The WFP estimates that nearly six million Zimbabweans are in need of food relief - this in a country that was once one of the main sources of food for the region.

This month our feature program includes a look at some of the latest technological releases impacting on the food and beverage manufacturing industries. Whilst historically SA Instrumentation & Control has focused on the food processing market, there is little doubt that effective use of technology can lead to improved harvests. The refinement of food processing will also lead to a better quality of life for SADC countries. To avoid a barrage of criticism from the anti-genetically-modified lobby, I will stay away from the topic of GM food.

During 2001 South Africa entered into a significant trade agreement with the European Union. Local food and beverage producers should already be feeling the benefits of the additional export opportunities. However, the high standards demanded by European consumers are likely to require many manufacturers to employ the use of technology to enable them to raise the quality of the finished products. Increasingly competitive international trading conditions will also see the significance of precision automation and control on the rise.

The 2003 print edition of the SA Instrumentation & Control Buyers' Guide is currently undergoing compilation. A reminder that this market-leading publication is also available on-line free of charge at www.ibg.co.za.

Graeme Bell

Editor: SA Instrumentation & Control

[email protected]

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Starvation on our borders

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