Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has called on industry leaders and government to act swiftly in forging public-private partnerships to accelerate sustainable agricultural growth, warning that the window to leverage South Africa’s newfound political momentum will not remain open for long.
Speaking at a high-profile Ministerial Stakeholder Dialogue hosted by the Agricultural Development Agency (Agda) in partnership with Absa, Steenhuisen said agriculture must play a pivotal role in the country’s national unity mission. The event centred around the theme: “Cultivating public-private partnerships for accelerated and sustainable agricultural growth.”
The event, held on Monday at the Maslow Hotel in Pretoria, aimed to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive long-term, inclusive growth across the agricultural industry.
Renewed optimism and urgency
In his keynote speech, Steenhuisen pointed to a growing sense of optimism in South Africa following the formation of the government of national unity.
“We have a new spring in our step now in South Africa after the formation of the government of national unity. There are a lot of indicators moving in the right direction. Even The Economist magazine said there is a lekker vibe in South Africa,” he remarked.
However, the minister stressed the need for rapid action to sustain this momentum, emphasising that agriculture must be central to job creation and economic recovery.
“This is what is going to underpin us moving this sector forward, and the department of agriculture needs to position itself as the nexus of partnership creation across the agriculture sector and through the value chain,” Steenhuisen explained.
He also highlighted the importance of aligning government efforts with the needs of stakeholders across value chains and roundtables, calling for modern legislation and regulations to support the sector.
“Many of these will be essential if we are going to improve yield, health, and profitability in the agricultural sector, as well as mitigate against climate change,” he added.
Fostering collaboration
The Agda-Absa event, conceived by Agda CEO Leona Archary, provided a valuable platform for decision-makers from both the public and private sectors to share ideas, generate innovative solutions, and lay the groundwork for long-lasting partnerships.
Absa’s managing executive for strategy and customer value management, Sanah Gumede, expressed her delight at the diverse and distinguished audience in attendance.
“I am delighted to see such a diverse and distinguished audience gathered here today, reflecting the broad spectrum of expertise and passion that drives our agricultural sector,” she said.
Gumede highlighted the significant role agriculture plays in shaping South Africa’s landscape, particularly as the country celebrates 30 years of democracy. She noted that this moment offers an opportunity to reflect on the sector’s progress, acknowledge ongoing challenges, and chart a course for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
“It is a fitting moment to reflect on the progress made in the sector, acknowledge the challenges that remain, and chart a course that is more sustainable and inclusive for the future,” Gumede said.
She went on to emphasise that the pressing challenges of land reform, climate change, and market access cannot be resolved in isolation, requiring joint efforts between the public and private sectors.
“It is in this spirit of partnership that Absa proudly supports this dialogue in partnership with AGDA to drive conversations that will be actionable for the betterment of our agricultural landscape,” she added.
Gumede acknowledged the success of previous public-private partnerships in the sector but stressed the need to elevate their approach to fully realise the sector’s potential. She pointed out that embracing innovation, investing in technological advancements, and rethinking traditional financial and support models are essential for the sector’s continued growth.
Shared vision for the future
Throughout the event, stakeholders expressed a shared belief that by working together, they could create new opportunities for both large-scale and smallholder farmers, while addressing broader concerns of food security and economic development.
Dr Mathews Phosa, chairperson of Agda, echoed this sentiment, stating that partnership and collaboration present a significant opportunity for the agricultural sector to chart a new course and unlock its potential.
“The sector stands as a beacon of hope for potential growth, yet we face significant challenges, including infrastructure development, the need for efficient farmer support, improved food security, and climate change,” Phosa noted.
“These challenges are all looking us in the eye, and we should together address them. Not as different components but as a South African collective,” he noted.
Phosa highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and private sector, noting that Agda’s experience has demonstrated that neither entity can address these challenges alone. The path to realising the full potential of the agricultural value chain lies in strong public-private partnerships.
Unlocking opportunities through partnership
A central focus of the event was a panel discussion titled “Unlocking collaborative models and financing for inclusive agricultural development.”
Moderated by Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at AgBiz, the panel featured a distinguished group of industry leaders, including Leona Archary, CEO of Agda; Theo Boshoff, CEO of Agbiz; AJ Mthembu, president of Afasa; Johann Kotze, CEO of AgriSA; and Abrie Rautenbach, head of Absa Agribusiness.
The panel discussed critical issues such as policy changes, inclusive financing models, and the integration of smallholder farmers into established value chains. Panellists also highlighted the importance of technological innovation in fostering collaboration and promoting growth in both large-scale and smallholder agriculture.
The event concluded on an optimistic note, with participants committed to turning the ideas discussed into tangible actions.
The Absa-Agda Ministerial Stakeholder Dialogue marked a significant step toward forging stronger public-private partnerships that will bolster the agricultural sector’s contribution to economic development, food security, and community well-being.
READ NEXT: A farmer’s faith: Michau’s journey with Absa Agribusiness
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain
