Women’s participation in South African agriculture remains a key focus for growth and inclusion. With women owning or operating around 20% of commercial farms and contributing significantly to subsistence farming, increasing their presence in agro-processing and commercial farming is crucial, writes Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo.
On various occasions, I have highlighted South Africa’s agricultural sector’s gains in the first three decades of democracy. The sector has more than doubled in value and volume terms. Better seed varieties in crops, vegetables, and fruits, as well as improved genetics in livestock and poultry, have, among other interventions, been the catalyst for output growth.
The opening up of export markets over the years has also created a solid demand that today, we export roughly half of what we produce in value terms. Our agricultural exports amounted to a record US$13.2 billion in 2023.
In appreciating this progress, some often ask about the black farmers’ contribution. The data on this is shaky, but based on various industry research, we can state that black farmers account, on average, for around 10% of the commercial agricultural output. This gives one an indication of their contribution to exports.
The matters of why black farmers account for this much produce 30 years in democracy and how we could build an even more inclusive agricultural sector, are issues we discussed at length in our recent book, A Country of Two Agricultures. We encourage all caring South Africans to read the book.
Women need to be around the table
However, another critical discussion is the issue of gender dynamics in South Africa’s agriculture. As a country, we should continue to improve this area. The data about the current state of women’s participation is also shaky. Still, one can lean on a few indicators, such as the recent census of agricultural statistics from Statistics South Africa, to make a point.
The census report found that we have about 40k commercial farm units in South Africa. To be super clear, the census only considers farmers registered for VAT (the threshold is a turnover of R1 million a year). Therefore, there are many more farmers not accounted for in this figure who are involved in commercial farming as their primary source of income and those who practice farming as a secondary source of income.
Still, if we go with the 40k farming units, about 20% are owned or operated by women. However, we also know anecdotally that women’s participation in the subsistence farming sector is perhaps much larger in various areas.
In such cases, the question remains: what can we do to ensure mobility where women can progress to the commercial level if they aspire to do so?
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Another vital aspect is jobs, where women accounted for roughly a third of the 896k jobs in the second quarter of 2024. More could be done to improve women’s participation, particularly in agro-processing.
Let’s all agree that agriculture, as an important sector of the economy, could still deliver more jobs and expand in underutilised land. This makes the gender discussion even more valuable.
The South African government has about 2.5 million hectares of land acquired through the Pro-Acitive Land Acquisition Strategy. This land should be released to beneficiaries with title deeds and help boost inclusion in the sector and growth, such as growing the South African agricultural pie.
In selecting the beneficiaries of the land, the government will have to be guided by the existing Beneficiary Selection and Land Allocation Policy. One important aspect of this policy that is less talked about is its focus on boosting women’s participation in agriculture.
It states that 50% of land redistributed must be transferred to (black) women. If we follow this approach as a country, along with ensuring that there are financial instruments to assist, perhaps we could improve in the coming years in racial and gender inclusiveness in the sector.
Space for young women
There are many young women interested in agriculture that one sees online, and some even write to me enquiring about a range of agricultural matters. This means there is interest amongst women in joining agriculture and playing a meaningful role in addition to the gains we have made as a country. The policy environment is also supportive.
We will need to ensure that commodity associations, particularly at the development level, continue to encourage women’s participation so that also when the time comes for land release, they can get the land and help ensure that in the next agricultural census, we see an improvement in farms operated (or owned) by women.
I must stress that agricultural matters are not only about farmers; the jobs in various organisations, agribusinesses, commodity organisations, universities, firms and laboratories all form a significant share of women’s continuation to South Africa’s agriculture, food, fibre, and beverages industry.
Inde’lendlela (this is a long journey), but we are moving forward as a country.
- Wandile Sihlobo is an agricultural economist and author of “A Country of Two Agricultures: The Disparities, the Challenges, the Solution” and “Finding Common Ground: Land, Equity and Agriculture”. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Food For Mzansi.
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