The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa. It undertakes directed research and development for socio-economic growth.
Late in February, the CSIR hosted the Upper Olifants River Study Key Stakeholder Workshop to present technical research outputs relevant to remediation and restoration of the Upper Olifants River catchment.
Sections of the upper Olifants River catchment are highly contaminated with faecal indicator bacteria and pathogenic micro-organisms that pose an unacceptably high risk to water users within this catchment, a CSIR microbial study has shown. Extreme levels of faecal pollution could, in most instances, be traced back to inadequate wastewater treatment.
Research highlights
The magnitude and cost of food waste in South Africa
CSIR research has shown that over 9 million tonnes of food (177kg/capita), or about 30% of local agricultural production, goes to waste every year in South Africa. The associated cost to society is R61.5 billion per annum, equivalent to 2.1% of South Africa’s GDP. At the same time, 70% of poor urban households in South Africa live in conditions of food insecurity. Read the briefing note, or read a research paper, The cost of household food waste in South Africa or Estimating the magnitude of food waste generated in South Africa
The magnitude and cost of food waste in South Africa
