Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has urged global leaders to embrace the philosophy of ubuntu in tackling the sector’s most pressing challenges. Speaking at the second session of the G20 Agriculture Working Group meeting, he called for strengthened international cooperation, noting that no country can address food security, climate change, and economic disparities in agriculture alone.
Steenhuisen described the many pressures keeping agricultural stakeholders awake at night, from the growing impact of climate change to the increasing spread of plant and animal diseases.
“Food security is not a national issue – it is a global one,” he said. “No country can face these crises in isolation. We must work together, recognising that the strength of one depends on the well-being of all.”
South Africa, which is preparing to assume the G20 presidency in 2025, has put ubuntu at the heart of its agricultural agenda.
Steenhuisen highlighted the country’s commitment to ensuring that no farmer, trader, or rural community is left behind. He said inclusive agricultural policies must prioritise smallholder farmers, women, and youth, while also strengthening food markets to ensure accessibility and affordability for all.
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“The reality is that our food systems cannot be sustainable if they continue to exclude women and young people,” Steenhuisen said.
He pointed out that women and youth play a critical role in agriculture and called for increased access to land, finance, and leadership opportunities. Without these changes, he warned, global food security will remain fragile.
Collaboration key to success
Another key focus of South Africa’s approach is fostering innovation and technological advancements in agriculture. Steenhuisen stressed the need for stronger partnerships to ensure that new technologies benefit all, rather than widening the divide between developed and developing nations.
“We cannot afford a world where only the wealthiest farmers have access to innovation while smallholders are left behind,” he said. “Knowledge and technology transfer must be central to our agricultural cooperation.”
Climate change remains a looming threat, and Steenhuisen said that the increasing frequency of extreme weather events is making it harder for farmers to maintain stable production.
He called for urgent global collaboration on climate-smart farming practices, more funding for climate resilience projects, and greater support for farmers in vulnerable regions.
“Ubuntu teaches us that our survival is interconnected. By standing together, we can help farmers adapt and secure the future of agriculture.”
During his speech, Steenhuisen also praised Brazil’s leadership in launching the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to advancing the initiative through the G20’s Food Security Task Force.
He stressed that long-term solutions will only be possible through joint efforts between governments, the private sector, and international organisations.
“In South Africa, we have learned that neither government, the private sector, nor donors alone can solve these challenges,” he said. “Only through partnerships, driven by the spirit of ubuntu, can we create lasting solutions.”
As G20 delegates continue their engagements in South Africa throughout the year, they will witness firsthand the country’s diverse agricultural landscape and the resilience of its farming communities. Steenhuisen expressed hope that these discussions would lead to meaningful commitments and stronger collaboration across borders.
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