AgriSA, South Africa's main agricultural organisation, formally endorsed five policy mandates at its annual congress in Pretoria on 14 October, covering land and development, natural resources, labour, rural safety, and economics and trade, and promised a more results-driven approach, Hanlie du Plessis reports for Farmers Weekly.
"You can farm individually, but you cannot build agriculture individually," said AgriSA president Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt, arguing that the task now is deciding which institutions are best placed to do what and coordinating them.
On land, Eben du Plessis of AgriSA's Land and Development centre of excellence said only 15.9 million of South Africa's 122.3 million hectares, about 13%, have high or moderate arable potential, and fewer than two million are high-potential. AgriSA proposed a special-purpose vehicle to speed the release of about 2.5 million hectares of state-owned land, a larger Land Bank blended finance scheme, credible beneficiary selection, secure title and stronger post-settlement support.
Agriculture uses about 60% of the country's water, and an estimated 30% of water conveyed through irrigation systems is lost before it is used, said Laubscher Coetsee, who chairs the natural resources centre. AgriSA called for better catchment agencies, infrastructure investment, predictable water licensing and access to climate-adaptation finance.
The sector directly employed about 945,000 people in the second quarter of 2026, roughly one in 18 employed South Africans, said Johan Wege; AgriSA wants minimum-wage rises linked to consumer prices, a dedicated agricultural work visa and reform of the 11 agricultural colleges.
Exports reached a record US$15.1 billion (around R270 billion) in 2025, with more than 55% of production exported, said Jannie Strydom, but port inefficiencies cost about R4.2 billion in the 2025/26 season, and 40% to 60% of the 750,000 km road network is in poor or very poor condition. AgriSA called for freight rail reform, less congestion at Durban and Cape Town, market diversification into Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and stronger biosecurity.
Source: Farmers Weekly South Africa
Comments
(0)