In this time of political transition, prioritising agricultural collaboration is not up for debate but a critical necessity, warns Leona Archary, CEO of the Agricultural Development Agency (Agda), in Food For Mzansi’s Election Thought Leader series: Agriculture at the dawn of political change.
As South Africans, it is crucial that we reflect on the vital role agriculture plays in our nation’s prosperity and stability. The agricultural sector, a cornerstone of our economy and a lifeline for countless rural communities, must be at the forefront of the incoming government’s agenda.
Land and agriculture have featured in nearly all of the political parties’ manifestos as it has been the case in elections past. However, the positioning of agriculture and land matters post-election has not always given the sector the priority it deserves as a growth point for our economy, and this has led to increased challenges in the sector.
The key issues as identified by the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) and other role players include delays and inefficiencies at the ports, deteriorating rail and road infrastructure, worsening municipal service delivery, rising protectionism in key export markets, increased geopolitical uncertainty and persistent episodes of load shedding.
These issues significantly impact the commercial agricultural sector and result in further exacerbating any initiatives to develop new commercial black farmers into the value chains of agriculture.
Trust and understanding
In this time of political change, prioritising agricultural collaboration is not merely an option; it is an imperative. The rhetoric continues to be that neither government nor the private sector can do this alone but it is time for any incoming administration to begin to move into creating the enabling environment for the right type of public-private partnerships to unfold so that we can move into implementable and measurable joint plans in all of the areas impacting the sector.
Chapter Six of the National Development Plan in 2012 and, most recently, the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan have received broad support but implementation has proved to be quite challenging. While both plans received broad sectoral support, implementation has continued to be challenging.
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All these plans acknowledge that collaboration is the key to unlocking the full potential of our agricultural landscape and further confirm that we need to bring together farmers, agribusinesses, researchers, and policymakers to create a synergistic environment that encourages innovation, knowledge sharing, and sustainable growth.
However, we need to begin to understand that to move forward with a collaborative plan requires trust and the acknowledgement of our strengths and weaknesses.
This type of collaboration requires strong champions from both government and private sector with the right skills and capabilities to drive implementation and hold each other accountable for non-delivery and share in the successes that emerge. The challenges facing agriculture today, such as climate change, water scarcity, and food security, are complex and multifaceted.
No single entity can tackle these issues alone; it requires a collective effort, a united front that spans across the entire agricultural value chain.
Building an inclusive sector
Any incoming administration should also understand that agriculture is currently a major contributor to jobs but if given the right positioning and support, it has the potential to transform our rural economies and create job and enterprise opportunities for our youth and rural communities.
One area where collaboration is particularly crucial is in the realm of small-scale farming. These farmers, who form the backbone of our rural communities, often lack access to resources, markets, and modern technologies. By fostering collaboration between small-scale farmers, agribusinesses, civil society, local government and businesses, we can bridge this gap and empower these farmers to thrive.
Through initiatives such as cooperative farming, shared infrastructure, and targeted support programmes, we can create an inclusive agricultural sector that benefits all participants, regardless of their scale.
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Collaboration beyond borders
In addition to agriculture, attention must be given to the improved implementation of sustainable land reform programmes. Significant progress has been made in developing new programmes for the improved sustainability of land transferred but more needs to be done.
The constant changing of programmes and the capacity to drive these remains a challenge for government and again collaborative models could certainly help to support long term sustainability and growth.
Farms allocated through the land reform programmes present a significant opportunity to drive inclusive growth and the development of new black commercial farmers but we need to ensure that we are driving collectively in a programmatic manner so that we can begin to see the impact and inclusivity in the various value chains.
Agricultural collaboration also extends beyond our borders. In an increasingly interconnected world, South Africa must continue the efforts that it has been making to actively engage with regional and international partners to address global challenges and seize opportunities for growth.
By collaborating with neighbouring countries, we can enhance regional food security, promote trade, and share best practices. Additionally, by forging partnerships with international organisations and institutions, we can access cutting-edge research, technologies, and markets, positioning South Africa as a leader in the global agricultural landscape.
As we stand on the threshold of electing new leadership, let us remember that the decisions we make today will shape the agricultural landscape for generations to come. It is up to us, as a nation, to prioritise agricultural collaboration and lay the foundation for a brighter, more sustainable future.
Together, we can cultivate a new era of prosperity, where every South African, from the farmer in the field to the consumer at the table, benefits from a thriving agricultural sector.
- Leona Archary is the CEO of the Agricultural Development Agency and has more than 15 years experience in development, the land sector, policy development and strategy development. 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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