Turn yards into farms

South African maize prices are reaching record highs, and we may need to start importing maize due to existing export commitments.

At the same time, the country's largest fuel refinery has to be shut down for repairs. Since fuel supply is critical for moving food from farm to fork, this puts our food security at risk.

The production of food is heavily mechanised, so fuel is required to plough fields, harvest crops and milk cows.

Other essential farming inputs, such as nitrogen fertilis ers, are produced directly from fossil fuels. Without fertilis ers there will be a dramatic decline in yields.

The prospects of a future without oil are daunting. Fortunately, we are not the first to be faced with this challenge.

Take Cuba. Throughout the Cold War this country received oil, pesticides, fertilisers, and other large-scale commercial farming inputs from the Soviet Union in exchange for raw commodities such as sugar - of course underlined by its role as a geo-political wedge against the US.

When the Soviet Union crashed, Cuba suddenly had to feed itself without relying on fossil fuel inputs for its agriculture. Cuba had no choice but to alter its food production system.

This meant making do with organic food production and relocating production closer to where people lived - in its cities. Today Havana produces more than half a million tons of food without fossil fuels, and has a vibrant system of growing food in yards and communal spaces.

Urban farming cuts transport costs and dependence on too much fuel.

All of the milk consumed in Shanghai is produced in or around the city. Two million tons of wheat and rice, 90% of its eggs and half of its chickens are also locally produced.

Apart from the simple joy of having a vegetable garden in your yard, urban farming cuts transport costs and is climate-friendly.

Is this possible in South Africa? Yes, and it seems to be catching on, with many budding farmers making use of available space in their back gardens, apartment rooftops, and open lots.

While some regional distribution of food will remain integral to the food system, in the context of food insecurity and diminishing fossil fuels, growing your own makes a lot of sense.