By Jasper Raats
The Limpopo AgriXpo will be a world-class agricultural show within five years, said Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba at the recent opening of AgriXpo 2025at The Ranch Resort in Polokwane.
This year marks the expo’s debut, following the efforts of a group of farmers, including Kobus de Lange and Peter Mockford from Polokwane, who pursued their vision of launching a provincial agricultural show. Their goal is to establish it as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation and economic empowerment, strengthening Limpopo’s role as a key agricultural region.
“In Limpopo, farming is not just an occupation; it is a lifeline, a culture, and the backbone of our provincial economy, Dr Ramathuba said. “It feeds our families, sustains our industries, and strengthens our rural communities. But as every farmer knows, a good harvest does not come without toil, patience, and adaptability to the changing seasons.”
In 2024, she said, agriculture contributed approximately 2,3% to Limpopo’s provincial GDP, and 7,6% to South Africa’s total agricultural output.
She highlighted the province’s fertile soils and diverse agricultural sector, including citrus fruits, avocados, bananas, macadamia nuts, tea and maize. In contrast, she said, the Free State is known only for its maize, yet it has Nampo, a globally recognised agricultural showcase. There was no reason, she said, that Limpopo could not achieve similar recognition for its excellence in especially citrus fruits, avocados and nuts.
Dr Ramathuba praised the organisers of the event, and stressed the importance of government, businesses and farmers working together to further strengthen the agricultural sector and open up more international markets.
She also emphasised that Limpopo needed to work with its neighbours Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana to promote trade and address problems such as food-and-mouth disease and climate change.
She concluded that this debut event was an important first step, and in five years’ time she would want the Limpopo AgriXpo to be one of the biggest events of its kind on the African continent. Limpopo should aim for global recognition as a leading agricultural hub that attracts interest from around the world.
Also read: Limpopo’s inaugural agricultural show paves the way for great things
