As pressure mounts on farmers to feed a growing population while caring for the environment, BASF is stepping up its stewardship efforts to ensure agricultural chemicals are used safely and effectively across South Africa’s rural communities.
Through a number of impactful projects and partnerships, the company is educating and equipping farmworkers with the tools and knowledge they need to protect both human health and the environment.
“Stewardship is about responsibility and care – for human health and for the environment – something that we, at BASF, take very seriously,” says Mary Willemse, campaign manager at BASF.
According to Willemse, responsible use of crop protection products is critical to ensuring sustainable food production.
“The agricultural sector is under tremendous pressure to protect the longevity of current active ingredients in the market so that farmers remain able to use these to realise optimal yields,” she explains.
To this end, BASF has launched a programme that supports farmers and professional applicators with tools and services tailored to their daily work.
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These include training on proper handling and disposal of chemicals, the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), and adherence to product label instructions. The company has also distributed soap dispensers to farms in the Western Cape to reinforce hygiene and safety protocols.
“There are six important principles for safe use,” Willemse says. “From using the product on the correct crop and pest to following dosage and application guidelines, and always using proper PPE. Pesticides may only be used as instructed on the label.”
Farmworker safety at the forefront
In partnership with Food For Mzansi and CropLife SA, BASF has also rolled out a national PPE safety kit distribution campaign. The kits include gloves, masks, and safety glasses, all compliant with regulatory standards, and are distributed to farmworkers during a series of outreach events.
“Every worker who attends one of Food For Mzansi’s events receives a free kit,” says Ivor Price, founder of the Food For Mzansi Group. “For many of these workers, it’s the first time they’ve ever had access to proper protective gear.”
Price stresses that the partnership goes beyond simply handing out equipment.
“Through our partnership with CropLife SA and BASF, workers also receive year-round training in responsible pesticide management and personal safety. Together, we’re not only improving health outcomes – we’re restoring dignity.”
This year alone, the partnership is set to reach around 4,000 farmworkers nationally. “Farmworkers are the unsung heroes of our agricultural sector,” Price adds. “They are often overlooked, yet without them, our food system simply wouldn’t function. That’s why we’re committed to putting them first – with knowledge, recognition, and practical tools for a safer, healthier work environment.”
While BASF is committed to embedding stewardship into its operations, Willemse reminds the industry that it is a shared duty. “Everyone in the food production chain has a responsibility regarding product management. Stewardship is a life-cycle approach, from production and transportation to application and disposal.”
She concludes: “For us, product stewardship is the central pivot of our business. We hope this mindset is shared on farms, ensuring that our products continue to add value in the future by protecting production and aiding profitability.”
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