Desry Lesele from Nedbank Commercial Banking explores the agricultural sector’s biggest challenges and opportunities following his attendance at Nampo Harvest Day 2025.
Recently, I had the privilege of attending Nampo 2025 in Bothaville, a cornerstone event for the agricultural sector in South Africa. Over 4 days, from Tuesday to Friday, I joined tens of thousands of stakeholders in exploring the future of farming, innovation, the latest technology, and policy discussions.
Among the most impactful platforms at the event was the Nation in Conversation series, where a range of critical topics were unpacked – from infrastructure and sustainability to trade, technology and land reform. As a representative of Nedbank Commercial Banking, I had the opportunity to attend all sessions and witness the depth of insight and urgency that characterised the discussions.
Building the backbone: Rural infrastructure
The opening session focused on strengthening rural infrastructure to boost productivity. It was clear that without reliable roads, water systems and digital connectivity, rural economies cannot thrive. The panel emphasised that infrastructure is not just a government responsibility; it requires public-private collaboration.
We see this as a call to action to finance infrastructure that enables market access and operational efficiency for farmers.
Political and economic realities
In a session about navigating South Africa’s political and economic landscape, panellists discussed the uncertainty surrounding policy and its impact on investment. The message was clear: agriculture needs a stable and predictable environment to grow.
Johann Kotzé, CEO of AgriSA, brought the conversation back to the farm gate, stressing the need for practical support for producers – trade agreements are only as good as our ability to meet demand.
That means investing in logistics, compliance, and quality assurance. Farmers need support to meet international standards and seize these opportunities.
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Sustainability: A strategic imperative
Sustainability was a recurring theme throughout the week, particularly in the session on environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. As Prof Ferdi Meyer, director of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), noted, the resilience of agriculture in recent years has been astounding, largely due to technological and sustainable advancements.
Adding to this, Herman de Kock, executive head of mid-corporate at Nedbank, emphasised the financial rationale behind sustainability, saying, “We need to apply a balanced strategic view on investment in sustainability in your farming operation and ultimately how that ensures improvement of your bottom line. In other words, we must sustain your agribusiness but also contribute to food security.”
He further highlighted the global competitiveness that sustainability brings, mentioning that sustainable practices are not only for local benefit but also make produce more competitive globally.
Global trade: Diversifying for resilience
In a session proudly sponsored by Nedbank, the spotlight turned to global trade relations. With shifting geopolitical dynamics and climate-related disruptions, South African agriculture must diversify its export markets and build resilient supply chains.
Nedbank trade specialist Shane Naidoo highlighted the need for banks to go “beyond banking” in supporting agricultural exporters, explaining that one of the things that tariffs do is erode margins and exports to certain markets.
We are not just looking at policy volatility, we are helping clients diversify risk and reduce dependency on markets like the United States. It’s about aligning financial services with fast-changing trade parameters.
Technology: Bridging the access gap
The role of advanced technologies in transforming agriculture was another focal point. From precision farming and artificial intelligence to drone surveillance and automated irrigation, the tools of tomorrow are already here. However, access remains imbalanced.
Gideon Rossouw, web 3 executive at Nedbank, raised a critical question: “How do we take the technology that’s already working and make it available to those who currently do not have access to it? How do we help new entrants find a foothold in agriculture?” This challenge speaks directly to Nedbank’s mission of enabling inclusive growth by financing innovation and supporting new-era farmers.
Land reform: Balancing justice and investment
The final session tackled the contentious Expropriation Act, which continues to stir debate across the sector. Dean McPherson, minister of public works and infrastructure, described the bill as “a tool for economic development and growth”, while Agbiz CEO Theo Boshoff warned that “compensation is a delicate balancing act”, especially with the inclusion of a nil-compensation clause.
For financial institutions, the implications for land values and investment confidence are significant and warrant close attention.
Nampo 2025 was more than just an event; it was a forum for insight, innovation and collaboration. The conversations held there reaffirmed Nedbank’s role as a trusted partner in agriculture. We are committed to supporting the sector through tailored financial solutions, strategic guidance, and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
- Desry Lesele is the senior manager of agriculture client value proposition at Nedbank Commercial Banking. 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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