Omnia Strengthens Global Voice For Food Security at B20

The challenges facing this sector – which holds great potential to drive economic growth and job creation – need to be addressed by the global business community to advance food security and ensure sustainable, affordable access to nutritious food for a rapidly growing global population.

Against the backdrop of escalating global food insecurity—and with Omnia positioned as a leading force in the agriculture sector—Stephan Serfontein, Executive Director at Omnia, emphasises the importance of prioritising Sustainable Food Systems & Agriculture as a key task force at this year’s B20, which focused on building inclusive and future-ready food systems through innovation, investment, and cross-border cooperation.

As the official engagement partner arm of the G20, the B20 enables companies to influence global economic and trade policies, and provides a platform for businesses to share their perspectives on global economic and trade issues impacting their sectors.

He explains that Omnia – a diversified industrial group with a core agriculture business- plays a pivotal role in strengthening food security through more resilient supply chains, and its participation in the B20 Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture Task Force aligns with its broader mission to advance sustainable food production by delivering a comprehensive portfolio of solutions—including premium quality granular, liquid, and specialty fertilisers, along with value adding biological and data-based products—to a diverse global customer base, with farmers at the core.

“Through this task force, we’re enabled to contribute practical insights from our work with farmers and industrial customers worldwide. Obtaining the perspectives of stakeholders that operate within the African agriculture sector are crucial to drive meaningful change and holds the power to redefine the global food landscape. This potential can be realised by actively engaging our farmers, agribusinesses, and communities.”

Rooted in South Africa and operating across 23 countries, Omnia is a driving force in sustainable agriculture—leveraging science, innovation, ESG principles, and resilient supply chains to enhance global food production while minimising resource use and environmental impact. Serfontein explains that Omnia’s purpose of driving food security to help feed the world’s growing population – not by using more fertilizer or water, but by supporting farmers do so in a more sustainable way – is aligned with the B20 Task Force in the following key priority areas:

Ensuring Climate Resilience and Improving Livelihoods:

Omnia’s solutions and technology support farmers to adapt to increasingly volatile weather and resource pressures. Its Nutriology® model supports nutrient, water and resource use efficiency, while its biological and speciality solutions promote eco-friendly alternatives to bolster soil and plant health. In addition, advancing soil diagnostics and regenerative agriculture research further enhances climate adaptation.

We see every day how our science-backed solutions benefit farmers to produce more with less. These solutions support sustainable livelihoods and job creation by empowering local communities, strengthening social equity, and fostering inclusive and resilient economic growth.

Accelerating and Enabling Trade:

With one of the most advanced agricultural supply chains in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region (including nitric acid plants, own rail tankers, and ammonia nitrate storage facilities), Omnia enables high quality and reliable input supply for local and international farmers. Access to consistent, high-quality inputs and market connectivity empowers farmers to maximise productivity and realise their full potential.

Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices:

Omnia’s product portfolio includes biostimulants (humate, kelp, and microbial ranges) that enhance nutrient uptake, mitigate environmental risks, and promote soil health. Through AgTech innovations such as AI-driven precision farming, variable rate application equipment and autonomous vehicles, Omnia is supporting farmers transition to resource-efficient and sustainable models of production. The group also works closely with smallholder and emerging farmers across SADC to embed sustainability at every level of the sector.

“By supporting farmers and industrial customers both locally and globally, we can ensure food systems are productive, resilient, and inclusive. The B20 taskforce only reemphasises our mission and allows us to make an even bigger impact,’ concludes Serfontein.