The new year is the perfect time to take your agribusiness to the next level. Whether you want to improve financial management, expand market access, or streamline farm administration, we’ve compiled some of our top stories to help you grow your farm business to its full potential.
Farming and agro-processing are, at their core, business activities, and agribusinesses play a key role in driving economic growth.
According to the department of agriculture, agriculture’s value-added share of GDP increased from 1.8% in 2013 to 2.8% in 2024, reflecting the sector’s expanding contribution beyond primary production. This growth highlights improved productivity, greater on-farm efficiency, and increased value-adding activities such as processing, packaging, and integration into broader markets.
Create a business plan
A solid business plan is the foundation of any successful farm enterprise. In today’s fast-changing agricultural landscape, a well-crafted agribusiness plan is essential for long-term success and sustainability. Whether you are an established farmer or just starting, your plan determines your ability to secure funding, build partnerships, and drive growth.
Agricultural economist Siziphiwe Jojo, head of business at Agricast Advisory Services, outlines the key elements every agripreneur should include in their plan. She emphasises that truly understanding the purpose of a business plan is the first step toward agricultural success.
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Make interest rates work for you
Understanding how the repo rate, interest rates, and agricultural productivity interact can be challenging for South African farmers.
Buhle Dube, agricultural economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), explains the impact of changing repo rates and offers practical strategies to help farmers manage these shifts.
The repo rate, the rate at which the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) lends money to commercial banks, affects the interest rates banks charge their customers. When the repo rate rises, borrowing costs increase; when it falls, borrowing becomes cheaper. Understanding this relationship is essential for making informed financial decisions on the farm.
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Tap into value-added produce
Scaling your farm requires thinking beyond production. Modern farming is about more than growing crops or raising livestock; it’s about building a profitable, sustainable business.
Steven Francis, CEO and founder of Franchising Made Easy, shares practical strategies to help farmers turn their operations into thriving agribusinesses through value addition. He encourages farmers to adopt an agripreneur mindset: think as a business owner focused on maximising profits, boosting cash flow, and opening new markets.
Key strategies include identifying high-value crops, effective packaging and branding, diversifying production, understanding market demand, and implementing strong management practices.
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How to supply fresh produce markets
Once you embrace the agripreneur mindset, the next step is expanding your market. Supplying large-scale fresh produce markets provides direct access to a wide network of buyers, from retailers to informal traders, ensuring consistent demand for your crops.
However, entering these markets requires compliance with strict regulations on quality, food safety, and fair trade. Producers must understand the rules around packaging, transport, and quality standards. Charles Park, chief operations officer at Joburg Market, outlines what’s required to successfully supply fresh produce markets.
How to supply abattoirs
While selling live poultry directly to consumers may seem straightforward, supplying abattoirs often offers greater profitability, sustainability, and security.
Jeremiah Jothams, with 15 years of experience as an abattoir manager, meat inspector, and director of Basadi Agribusiness, shares insights on how structured supply chains can strengthen poultry operations and grow farm businesses.
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Marketing your livestock
Effective cattle marketing is crucial for modern livestock farmers. Khomotso Mashiloane, livestock technical advisor at Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), shares strategies to help farmers cover production costs and maximise profits in today’s evolving red meat industry.
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Export to neighbouring countries
Diversifying your markets is key to growth. The Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) offers farmers access to regional markets across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini. As the world’s oldest customs union, Sacu remains a vital trade partner for South African agriculture.
Buhlebemvelo Dube, agricultural trade and research economist at NAMC, highlights the opportunities within Sacu and what farmers need to know to become export-ready and expand beyond national borders.
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