With South Africa’s population steadily increasing, the demand for food will double by 2040. The country also faces several challenges including climate change and a decrease in arable land. These are serious threats to food security. Scientific research and technology have helped mitigate food security concerns. Pula Imvula is a monthly magazine published by Grain SA focussed on the developing farmer. It forms an integral part of the New Era  emerging farmer development programme and provides useful information on grain and oil seed production to bolster food production. In the latest issue of the magazine, Dr Mahlane Godfrey Kgatle a postdoctoral Fellow at FABI has authored an article on crop rotation and its importance as part of a disease management strategy. This strategy is crucially important to long-term  food security in South Africa. 

This year has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH). The IYPH  aims to promote an  awareness about the importance of plant health for the future of the human race. Plant health plays a key role in combating hunger, protecting biodiversity and boosting economic development.