In his New Year’s message, agriculture minister John Steenhuisen outlines a hopeful and determined vision centred on growth, biosecurity, youth empowerment and expanded export markets. With a roadmap to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease and strengthen global competitiveness, he calls on the sector to work together to secure a resilient and prosperous future.
As we welcome the new year, I would like to extend my sincere wishes to every farmer, agricultural worker, agribusiness, researcher, extension officer, veterinarian, animal health technician and rural family across South Africa.
Agriculture is not only an economic sector; it is a way of life that sustains communities, feeds our nation and anchors our rural economy.
The year ahead will undoubtedly present challenges, from climate variability and input costs to biosecurity risks and global uncertainty. Yet it also brings opportunity. We enter this year with a renewed commitment to strengthen agricultural production, improve rural safety, expand export markets and build a sector that is inclusive, resilient and globally competitive.
South African agriculture has earned a reputation for quality, traceability and reliability. Protecting and growing access to international markets is vital for economic growth, job creation and foreign earnings. In the coming year, we will intensify efforts to open new markets, defend existing ones, and ensure compliance with international standards that allow our producers to compete successfully on the global stage.
The future of agriculture also depends on the next generation. Investing in young farmers is not optional; it is essential. We are committed to supporting youth through skills development, access to land, finance, mentorship and technology. Young people bring innovation, energy and new ideas that will drive productivity and sustainability in the years ahead.
Our work will continue to prioritise biosecurity, animal and plant health, infrastructure investment, and the dignity and safety of those who work the land. Progress in agriculture cannot be achieved by the government alone. It requires strong partnerships, mutual trust and shared responsibility across the entire value chain.
Securing SA’s livestock future
We are unwavering in our determination to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) from the country. With a technically sound roadmap now in place, South Africa is committed to achieving FMD-free status with vaccination, a vital step to stabilise our R80 billion livestock industry and restore international export confidence.
Our plan to reach FMD-free status with vaccination is a phased, aggressive strategy designed to reduce FMD incidents by 70% in high-risk areas within 24 months. We are prioritising mass vaccination across the national herd to create a wall of immunity.
The key pillars of the strategy are:
- Mass vaccination: We are targeting 90% coverage in communal and commercial populations, with 100% coverage for dairy cows. High-risk vaccinations will commence in February 2026, supported by a supply of one million doses per month from the Botswana Vaccine Institute.
- Infrastructure and capacity: The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is scaling up domestic vaccine production, while the Onderstepoort Veterinary Laboratory is increasing diagnostic staff to accelerate testing.
- Traceability: The Livestock Identification and Traceability System (LITS) launches in January. Using geo-location, we will track the movement of every vaccinated animal to ensure the integrity of our biosecurity zones.
- Enforcement: We are partnering with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies to secure movement controls, and deploying unemployed animal health graduates to bolster the vaccination rollout.
This is a national priority. While government secures vaccines and funding – including redirecting 5% of Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) funds to biosecurity – we require the full cooperation of the sector. By vaccinating with speed and precision, we will secure the future of South African agriculture.
I want to thank everyone in the agricultural sector for their resilience, dedication and perseverance, often under difficult circumstances. Your work feeds our nation and strengthens our economy.
May the new year bring favourable weather, productive seasons, safer rural communities, expanding markets and renewed hope for agriculture in South Africa.
I wish you and your loved ones a healthy, peaceful and prosperous year ahead.
- John Steenhuisen is South Africa’s minister of agriculture.
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