With the new year now well underway, leaders in the agricultural sector are calling for an acceleration of land reform and inclusive funding that directly addresses the needs of farmers. As the sector grapples with the aftermath of a tough 2024, there is a growing sense of urgency for change and action.
Chief executive of the South African Farmers Development Agency (Safda), Dr Siyabonga Madlala, said the organisation has been working with several large restitution projects in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, and Mpumalanga, where the negative impact of funding delays has been evident.
“We are driving a project to set up milling hubs in some remote areas of KwaZulu-Natal, which will help reduce haulage distances for poorer farmers and stimulate economic development in designated districts such as the South Coast and Makhathini Flats.
“We have experienced serious opposition from some high-ranking government officials towards this initiative, but we hope the attitude will change, and support will come through for these catalytic initiatives that have the potential to transform many lives,” he said.
Madlala noted that in previous years, partnerships with the government had led to the development of seven farmer production support units (FPSUs).
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“We are ready to expand these economic development engines to other areas and position agriculture as a primary driver of rural development.
“For the sake of a brighter future for the younger generation, we hope to see divisions within the sector being mended so that farmers and farmer support organisations can work together to strengthen the sector,” he added.
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Afasa and TLU call for proactive solutions
Meanwhile, African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (Afasa) president AJ Mthembu said the organisation was committed to working with all its partners and structures to ensure that the objectives of the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP) – specifically achieving inclusive growth in the sector – are realised.
Mthembu admitted that Afasa had been facing a leadership crisis, but he promised that in the year ahead, the focus would shift to addressing farmers’ concerns.
“Going forward, disputes of this nature will be managed promptly and proactively in the interest of the farmers whose needs we must serve.
“We are confident that 2025 will see Afasa emerging stronger and becoming one of the critical role players in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Transvaal Agricultural Union (TLU) general manager Bennie van Zyl expressed that his biggest concern going into 2025 was unemployment, noting that the country cannot tackle unemployment through social grants alone.
“We need to grow the economy. Also, the most important element is rural safety. It’s not only about the farmer and their farm but also the people in the surrounding environment.
“From our side, safety is of great concern. We don’t think we have a clear and sound focus that would guide people on where to invest to grow the economy. There are too many questions that remain unclear,” he said.
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