Agricultural extension officers work under vastly different conditions across South Africa, writes Dr Siphe Zantsi, agricultural economist at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). He highlights how officers travel hundreds of kilometres and face logistical hurdles just to reach and support rural farmers.
Agricultural advisory services are a vital component of South Africa’s agricultural sector. Part of the tremendous growth the sector has achieved over the years can be attributed to these services. Their key role is to help farmers solve their problems through the dissemination of knowledge and the transfer of technology.
The latter includes the adoption of biotechnologies such as high-yielding crop seeds and efficient mechanisation, which have helped the sector double in value over the past two decades. In an ever-changing political and environmental landscape, the importance of these services cannot be overstated.
In South Africa, agricultural advisory services are primarily rendered by the public sector through various provincial agricultural departments. The private sector, including commodity organisations and agribusinesses, also plays a role in providing advisory services to their clients.
However, the bulk of the responsibility falls on the public sector, which serves more than two million smallholders, over 2 000 land reform beneficiaries, and hundreds of commercial farmers.
Improving agricultural education
The South African agricultural advisory system is represented by the South African Society for Agricultural Extension (SASAE), a scientific society established in 1966. It comprises agricultural extensionists involved in agricultural development across South Africa and other Southern African countries.
Each year, SASAE holds its annual congress where researchers, extension officers, and senior government officials gather to engage on pressing issues and innovative solutions. The 58th SASAE Congress was held in conjunction with Agricultural Extension Week at Emperors Palace, outside Johannesburg, from 30 June to 4 July. This year’s congress was graced by the presence of the minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, and the Gauteng MEC for agriculture and rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa.
In addition to research paper presentations on current agricultural issues, panel discussions featured expert leaders in the field. One key panel focused on agricultural extension curriculum development. Experts explored how university curricula could be improved to meet the evolving needs of farmers. Emphasis was also placed on encouraging agricultural education at the primary and secondary school levels.
Learning from success stories
Another highlight of the event was the presentation of success stories by agricultural advisers. These stories aim to inspire excellence within the field of agricultural advisory services. The second and third-place winners received an educational tour to study best extension practices in Southern Africa, while the first-place winner earned an international tour fully funded by the National Department of Agriculture.
Delegates also had the opportunity to visit successful black-owned farms in Gauteng, covering various agricultural enterprises. These visits aimed to showcase the success of new-era farmers and inspire others by demonstrating the importance of dedication and collaboration.
The visits reinforced the importance of partnerships between farmers, government, and the private sector. Many extension officers learnt practical lessons from these visits that they can apply in their work, while also offering advice to the host farmers on ways to improve their operations.
I personally had the opportunity to engage with extension officers from different provinces and realised how different working conditions are across the country.
I was particularly struck by the challenges faced in the Northern Cape. I spoke with Bobby, an extension officer who shared his experience. Due to the vastness of the province, officers often travel more than 800km to visit farmers. To make each trip worthwhile, they plan routes strategically, visiting multiple farms along the way.
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Call for innovation and support
However, Bobby noted that the main challenge is time. Since visits are infrequent, each meeting with a farmer or community can last at least three hours, not including travel time. Other challenges include limited network signal and long stretches of gravel roads. He said you are lucky if you don’t get a flat tyre – and it’s essential to carry at least two spare wheels.
Without a signal, Bobby must notify farmers before leaving his office and tell them to expect him within a few hours. If he doesn’t arrive, they are advised to go look for him in case he’s stuck. This kind of environment demands not only agricultural knowledge but also skills in logistics, planning, and a great deal of patience and determination.
Public agricultural advisory services are often criticised for being ineffective. However, listening to stories like Bobby’s, one realises the harsh conditions under which many extension officers work. They deserve to be applauded. As I reflected on Bobby’s experience, I thought about how digital platforms could ease some of the pressure.
If the government invests in improving network coverage and provides computers with large screens in remote areas, farmers could have virtual sessions with extension officers.
These devices could be housed in a central location in each community, perhaps in the home of a trusted farmer responsible for safeguarding them. Such a system would save time, reduce travel costs, and allow for more consistent engagement.
- Dr Siphe Zantsi is an agricultural economist at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). 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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