International trade has the potential to generate a positive impact on African agriculture. However, to achieve this decision-making, processes should not exclude farmers. This was the stern message by AJ Mthembu, president of the African Farmers Association of South Africa (Afasa).
Mthembu addressed agricultural leaders from around the world at the World Farmers Organisation General (WFO) Assembly at Sun City, North West.
“The barriers in trade are quite enormous because the changes that are being implemented that affect farmers are frequent.
“For example, when you have complied with the regulations, then your next problem will be tariffs because they will be high making it impossible to operate, that is in addition to the operational costs that a farmer struggles with,” Mthembu said.
A contributing factor to why Africa does not have a fair share of trade, is regulations and standards of practice that are constantly changing, Mthembu said.
“It will be important that as farmers, we are positioned where decisions are taken so that we are able to contribute towards the DNA of operations,” he said.
Mthembu urged African states to explore innovative approaches to assisting farmers.
Trade and relations go hand in hand
Fiona Simson from the Australian National Farmers Federation emphasised the importance of trade between countries to ensure food security.
“Trade is just a fancy word for sharing and collaboration,” she said. “Besides trading on agricultural outputs like grain, [and] livestock, different countries trade on skills and innovation so it’s important that trade is nurtured.”
Simson called for farmers to step up and learn from one another, particularly around challenges. This is important in finding solutions to existing problems, she pointed out.
It is important that when governments sit down to outline trade agreements, they be centred around outcome-based frameworks, she said.
“It is important to continue working on our trade systems and improving transparency, accountability and the regulations that we all are working on,” Simson added.
‘We need all hands on deck’
Meanwhile, Theo de Jager, board chair of the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) and former president of WFO, highlighted the importance of farmer data. He said farmer organisations should make a habit of storing such data.
“Having data will go a long way in assisting farmers on diseases that come through, farmers could know where to look. Data is the new gold in agriculture and as organisations, we need to champion it,” he said.
The sitting president of WFO, Arnold Puech d’Alissac, said while farmers battled international shocks, collaboration to find ways of navigating these challenges remains important.
“We need all hands on deck if we are set to overcome the challenges we face. We cannot over-emphasise collaboration and cooperation amongst farmer organisations and different countries,” he added.
The Frenchman said farmers must never forget to uplift and mentor young farmers to ensure a generational legacy in farming.
“They are the future of agriculture. Young people need to be at the centre of decision-making and get exposed to the many dynamics of agriculture, we cannot farm without young people,” he said.
Puech d’Alissac cautioned against organisations and farmers working in silos. “We can overcome the ever-growing conflicts in different countries if we work together as farmers, no one must be left alone,” he added.
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