World Food Day is celebrated globally to raise awareness of the role agriculture plays in food production and to provide enough, healthy and save food for all.  It also provides the opportunity to highlight the plight of millions of undernourished people in the world and points out the responsibility that rests on the shoulders of global agricultural companies.

World Food Day is commemorated annually on 16 October in remembrance of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945 as an organisation that deals with global food and agricultural issues. The 2021 World Food Day theme focuses on how better production methods can lead to better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for many people.

“While countries around the world still deal with the widespread effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 World Food Day celebrations will highlight the necessity of a concerted effort around the world to address food production and distribution challenges.  At Argo Tractors we recognise that we must join hands with the industry and farmers across the globe and build a better future together because our actions determine the future of us all,” Godfried Heydenrych, Managing Director Argo Tractors SA says.

He added that Argo Tractors has always been at the side of those working in the agricultural sector to meet the great challenges of today and tomorrow with cutting-edge solutions and efficient technologies. “We stand side-by-side with those who work in the agricultural industry, to help them face everyday challenges through cutting-edge, reliable, and easy-to-use tractors and implements.”

Modern mechanisation focus on food production that does not contribute to soil degradation or destroy natural habitats.  Over the past years Argo has invested a great deal of time, money and technology in their operations as well as tractors and implements to reduce the environmental impact of food production. “Sustainable agricultural mechanisation is among the solutions that can strengthen the resilience of the farming community to challenges. We foster the sustainable production of food alongside farmers. Our technology enables farmers to mitigate and absorb aspects such as extreme weather, price spikes or pandemics, while it limits environmental degradation and climate change,” Heydenrych added.

Ensuring a sustainable supply of food for the world’s fast-growing population is a major challenge. Food production is one of the key areas that require action, alongside issues of food consumption, nutrition and food security. Global food production methods must change to minimise the impact on the environment and support the world’s capacity to produce food in the future.

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the FAO view agricultural mechanization in Africa as an urgent matter and an indispensable pillar for attaining the Zero Hunger vision by 2025, as stated in the Malabo Declaration of 2014, Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals. In the framework document for sustainable agricultural mechanisation for Africa, the FAO states that sustainable agricultural mechanisation can redeem Africa from perpetual food insecurity. According to this framework document, doubling agricultural productivity and eliminating hunger and malnutrition in Africa by 2025 will be no more than a mirage unless mechanisation is accorded utmost importance.

According to Heydenrych, the application of advanced agricultural machinery such as the Landini products on offer by Argo Industrial world-wide, enables improved operations in the food production process, increases cropping intensity, yield and output, reduces production costs as well as post-harvest losses, utilise manpower more optimally and reduce the drudgery of agricultural work. “All of these can contribute to strengthen the resilience of farmers and the agricultural sector, not only in South Africa, or Africa, but globally,” he says.

He added that mechanisation must, however, follow some core principles. “It must operate along the entire agricultural value chain, must happen in partnerships, must be environmentally compatible and climate smart, and must also be economically viable and affordable, especially for small-scale farmers who constitute the bulk of African farmers.”

Argo Tractors is one of the world leaders in agricultural mechanisation. Landini is one of the best-known and most respected brands in agricultural mechanisation globally. With solid roots in a wide variety of production sectors, i.e., vineyard, orchard, vegetable as well as in the row crop sectors, the company believes it can contribute to a better food production future at the side of farmers world-wide.

#WorldFoodDay 2021

Enquiries can be directed to Juanita Pretorius, Distribution Development Manager, ARGO INDUSTRIAL (Pty.) Ltd. at email: j.pretorius@argosa.co.za

More about Argo Tractors

Argo Tractors is a family-run industrial group that designs, produces and markets its tractors, services and components all over the world. The company is backed by the technological heritage of well-known brands such as McCormick and Landini, that have left their mark on the advancements in agricultural mechanisation across the globe. Our advanced technology has brought optimal results in improving farming techniques through excellent operator results, economic machine utilisation, reliability and durability. Read more on our web page www.argosa.co.za