In a push to upgrade farming technology and unlock fresh commercial pathways, South Africa’s minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has partnered with Italy to enhance food security, seasonal commerce, and digital farming solutions.
The agreement was solidified when Steenhuisen and Italy’s minister of agriculture, food sovereignty and forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation.
The signing took place at the high-level Italy–South Africa Agri-Food Business Forum in Cape Town recently, an event organised by the Italian Trade Agency to coincide with Lollobrigida’s official visit.
Lollobrigida praised the initiative and the host nation on the day of the signing, stating, “South Africa is an extraordinary nation and a very important strategic partner for Europe and especially for Italy. We are united by a common desire to improve our relationship. South Africa is known for tradition and identity, especially where food is concerned, and therefore it is a natural partner for Italy.
“From our point of view, another advantage is seasonality, which is quite the opposite from ours. Therefore, for most of the agricultural production, we are not actually competitors, but we are natural allies, and finally, but certainly not least important, South Africa is a springboard for access to the rest of the continent, and the African market is going to be very strategic for the future.”
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Driving innovation and research
The newly minted bilateral framework sets out a clear roadmap to revitalising vital farming sectors. According to details of the agreement, the pact will strengthen collaboration in key areas, including biosecurity, plant production and health, animal health and production, training and development, as well as agricultural research, innovation, and technology.
Delivering a keynote at the forum, Litha Magingxa, CEO and president of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), highlighted the critical role of agricultural research, innovation, and technology in strengthening partnerships, enhancing productivity, and driving sustainable growth across the agricultural value chain.
This need for resilient innovation was underscored by South Africa’s ambassador to Italy, Nosipho Jezile, who noted that the partnership comes at a pivotal moment for global agriculture as both nations navigate intensifying systemic strains and that South Africa and Italy share a common belief in agriculture in terms of food security, job creation, rural development and people-to-people exchanges.
“At a time when the world faces increasing pressures from climate change, food supply chain disruptions, raising food and security, transboundary diseases, and, in that context, this partnership that we are bringing together here becomes more important,” Jezile said.
Fostering a people-centric partnership
Following the conclusion of these high-level discussions and diplomatic signings, the first day of the forum concluded with a networking event and a gala dinner. Addressing the audience during his gala dinner remarks, Steenhuisen reflected on the profound synergy discovered between the two delegations.
He noted that the real value of the platform was not found in formal communiqués but in the relationships and trust developing across the table, describing agriculture as a people business deeply rooted in family and tradition.
“Today’s discussions have reinforced my belief that the opportunities between South Africa and Italy are far greater than many of us may have appreciated at the outset of this Forum. What stood out to me was not simply the opportunities that were identified, but the enthusiasm with which people engaged with one another.
“Across both South Africa and Italy, agriculture has helped shape landscapes, sustain rural economies and create traditions that are passed from one generation to the next. Those shared values provide a strong foundation for the partnership we are building.
“As we conclude the first day of this forum, I am more convinced than ever that we have made the right decision in creating this platform. The relationships being formed here have the potential to outlast any individual meeting or event,” Steenhuisen said.
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