Transformation in agriculture requires more than conversation, warned Agda CEO Leona Archary during a discussion at the 2025 Agricultural Transformation Lekgotla in Pretoria last week. “We all are driving toward transformation in different pockets,” she said. “The question is how do we play our part in building a collective ecosystem that truly works for everyone?”
Archary framed the panel discussion within the broader context of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Dialogue initiative, noting the importance of citizen-led participation and shared accountability.
Roelf Meyer, co-chair of the national dialogue’s eminent persons group, highlighted how the Food For Mzansi-led lekgotla aligns with the national dialogue initiative, which seeks to address poverty, inequality, and unemployment across all sectors.
“What we are doing today is already part of the dialogue,” Meyer said.
Meyer stressed that the dialogue process is designed to be bottom-up, giving rural communities a direct voice in shaping policies and initiatives that impact their livelihoods.
“The conversations at this table must translate into tangible results, not just ideas on paper. Agriculture, in particular, has a unique opportunity to lead by example.”
Grassroots leadership drives inclusive agricultural transformation
Kallie Schoeman, a well-known farmer and chairman of Schoeman Group Holdings, echoed Meyer’s call for grassroots leadership. “Government and top-level structures are good at designing policies, but real transformation happens when the people on the ground lead,” he said.
Schoeman highlighted the critical role of local business owners, new-era farmers, and municipalities in driving inclusive growth. “If you’re not at the table, you’ll be on the menu, and the government will eat you up. When the people lead, the government will follow. Coexistence between commercial and emerging farmers is essential for the sector’s future,” he said.
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David Mthombeni, Agda deputy chairperson, provided a perspective grounded in the structural realities of the sector. He stressed that meaningful transformation starts with representation: historically excluded communities must have decision-making power.
“Transformation is driven by those historically excluded, and it starts with communities sitting at the table where decisions are made,” he said. Mthombeni proposed the creation of an independent, sector-wide body to monitor transformation efforts and ensure equitable distribution of resources, policies, and opportunities across all farmers.
Dr Siyabonga Madlala, executive chairman of the South African Farmers Development Association (Safda), challenged the sector to confront uncomfortable truths. “We have been setting transformation targets for 30 years, yet progress remains painfully slow,” he said.
Madlala argued that real empowerment is about enabling farmers with access to finance, training, and practical support, not just issuing policies or targets. He pointed to successful public-private initiatives as models for achieving measurable outcomes and empowering farmers at scale.
Transition and accountability in agriculture
Schoeman noted that transformation in agriculture should be viewed not just as a concept, but as a practical process.
“Transformation is the idea, but transition is the journey,” he explained. Farmers need a structured, step-by-step plan to move from being small-scale or emerging farmers into fully commercial operations.
Schoeman said many emerging farmers express frustration at the ambiguity of this process, often asking, “How long will I have to emerge before I become a commercial farmer?” He stressed that clarity and measurable milestones are essential for creating a pathway that farmers can follow with confidence.
He also highlighted the critical need for collaboration across the sector, pointing to the idea of an Agridesa-style forum: an African platform where small, emerging, and commercial farmers come together to share experiences, address frustrations, and co-create solutions. Such a forum could tackle systemic challenges, including delays in funding, insecure land tenure, and limited access to production inputs, all of which currently prevent farmers from investing in their operations effectively.
Schoeman was candid about the challenges facing emerging farmers: reliance on government support, slow approval processes, and a lack of independent funding make it difficult to scale operations or invest in equipment and production inputs.
He further underscored the importance of reviewing existing institutions, like the Agricultural Research Council and the National Agricultural Marketing Council to ensure they are responsive to today’s agricultural realities. Ineffective governance, systemic corruption, and self-interest can stifle growth and hinder inclusive participation.
“Farmers often have proposals ready to speed up their development, but these plans fall on deaf ears,” he said. “They need real, tangible support that empowers them to become independent commercial operators.”
“We must rethink strategies, ask the right questions, and ensure that the voices of historically excluded farmers are properly represented,” Schoeman said.
Archary concluded the session by underscoring the need for accountability, planning, and collective action. “Transformation will not happen by chance. It requires strategic partnerships, effective governance, and active participation from government, private sector, and communities alike,” she said.
The Agricultural Transformation Lekgotla’s discussions highlighted both the challenges and the successes in South Africa’s agricultural sector, pointing to a path forward where inclusion, equity, and practical empowerment are central.
As the agricultural sector stands at this pivotal crossroads, the consensus among panellists was clear: transformation is not merely a policy goal. It is a collective responsibility. The actions taken today, both on the ground and in policy circles, will determine whether South Africa’s agricultural future is inclusive, sustainable, and truly transformative.
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