Corteva strengthens South Africa’s food security through innovation and partnerships

AFRICA – Corteva Agriscience is taking a lead role in strengthening food security across Sub-Saharan Africa as farmers face worsening effects of changing weather, soil degradation and shrinking resources.

Rising temperatures of just two degrees Celsius can reduce crop yields by up to 25% in key regions, highlighting the urgent need for climate-smart farming practices.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reports that the number of malnourished people in the region has risen by 45.6% since 2012, with extreme weather regularly affecting food production and supply chains.

In South Africa, over 60% of the population depends on rain-fed farming, leaving smallholder farmers exposed to droughts, erratic rainfall and floods.

Limited access to nutritious food has left more than a quarter of South African children under five stunted. Yet agriculture remains a vital contributor to the economy, accounting for 3.2% of GDP in 2024 and supporting around 800,000 jobs.

Livestock represents 43% of agricultural GDP, horticulture 40% and field crops 15%. Agricultural exports were valued at US$13.7 billion in 2024, making South Africa one of only two food-secure net exporters in Africa, alongside Morocco.

Corteva Agriscience continues to play an active role in addressing production challenges and promoting sustainable agriculture. The company’s maize technology and agronomic practices have helped South African farmers raise yields by 36% over the past decade, producing an additional three million tons of maize on 200,000 fewer hectares.

Corteva invests heavily in research and development, spending more than US$6 billion globally in the past five years. In South Africa, research centers in Delmas and Potchefstroom collect over five million data points each year from more than 100 trial sites.

These studies help develop seed varieties that withstand drought, disease and other local stresses. The company also uses drones and predictive analytics to identify crops best suited to local environments.

Building together

One of Corteva’s guiding values is “Building together,” a belief that success in agriculture depends on strong partnerships. “Our approach is built on collaboration,” a company spokesperson said. “We know that sustainable progress in farming comes when the entire sector works together.”

Corteva invests in skills and capacity building through bursaries, internships and the SoilSista programme, which supports rural women. Each year, about 20 to 25 graduates gain 12 months of hands-on training in areas such as agronomy, engineering, business analytics and finance.

The company also supports a modern and balanced regulatory system that promotes innovation while protecting farmers and consumers. “Strong regulation gives farmers access to safe technology and helps attract long-term investment,” the spokesperson added.

South Africa became one of the first countries to adopt biotech maize in 1998, only two years after the United States. This early adoption allowed farmers to access improved seed traits, pushing national maize yields to an average of 5.7 tons per hectare, more than double the Sub-Saharan average of 2.2 tons.

Corteva continues to invest in productivity improvements for key crops such as maize, soybeans, sunflowers and canola. It is also expanding work in crop protection, biologicals and sustainable farming systems.

“We remain committed to supporting both commercial and emerging farmers,” the spokesperson said. “Our goal is to help build resilient food systems that meet the nutritional needs of a growing population.”

Through ongoing collaboration, innovation and training, Corteva aims to strengthen South Africa’s agricultural base and contribute to a more food-secure future.

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