This November, Food For Mzansi celebrates its seventh birthday. Since its inception in 2018, the publication has been dedicated to telling the incredible stories of South Africa’s farmers — from those who work from the boot of their bakkie to large-scale commercial producers. But instead of throwing a big party, the team decided to do something more meaningful: understand farmers better.
The result is Stand Up and Be Counted, the country’s biggest independent agricultural survey. It invites farmers, farmworkers, and agripreneurs to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations. Their input will help build the most comprehensive, human-centred portrait of South African agriculture ever created.
“This survey is about recognition and visibility,” says Ivor Price, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Food For Mzansi. “Over the last seven years, we’ve told so many incredible stories, but now it’s time to hear directly from farmers themselves. Every farmer matters, every story counts, and no voice is too small.”
Kobus Louwrens, co-founder and strategy director of Food For Mzansi, adds: “We started this publication to shine a light on the people who feed Mzansi. On our seventh birthday, we want to give farmers a platform to tell us who they are, what they do, and what they need. This is our way of celebrating them – by listening and learning.”
Survey accessibility and reach
The survey asks participants to share information about their role in agriculture, farm type and size, production purpose, main commodities, financing, insurance, skills development preferences, plans for the next 12 to 18 months, and the challenges they face – from market access and labour to energy and compliance issues.
“We made the survey simple, mobile-friendly, and confidential,” says Gareth Davies, head of product and design and project leader for the Stand Up and Be Counted survey. “Our goal at Food For Mzansi is to provide insights and information that are directly relevant to farmers. This survey further enables us to fulfil this mission.”
“Behind the scenes, we’re also working with a top media expert to ensure the survey is both globally relevant and powerful here in South Africa. By understanding the real needs, aspirations, and obstacles in the sector, we can better support agriculture across Mzansi.”
Hundreds of farmers have already participated, representing smallholder and backyard growers as well as large-scale commercial producers – reflecting the full diversity of South Africa’s farming landscape.
“The survey isn’t just about numbers,” adds Price. “It’s a statement: ‘I feed Mzansi. Count me in.’ By participating, farmers make their voices heard, and their stories shape public understanding, media coverage, and even policy discussions.”
Stand Up and Be Counted is open to everyone in the farming community. Participation only takes a few minutes, and all responses are confidential. The data collected will help Food For Mzansi better understand farmers’ needs and the sector as a whole, enabling us to serve them more effectively and tell their stories with accuracy and insight.
Farmers can take part via the survey link: foodformzansi.co.za/standup, or fill it in below:
📢 Stand Up, Be Seen, Be Counted
We want to provide you with the most valuable, relevant information possible. Please take a few minutes to complete this short, confidential survey about your farming practices and challenges. Your feedback helps us tailor our coverage to better support the future of agriculture across Mzansi.
“Every farmer has a story that deserves to be told. This is our way of ensuring those voices are counted,” concludes Davies.
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