‘Our country’s farmers are a critical national asset’ – Gauteng’s MEC for Agriculture

In a powerful message, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa called for a unified approach to tackling what she called “the epidemic of hunger in the country”, during her keynote address opening the 2025 African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo in Pretoria.

“This is not a problem. It’s an absolute crisis, and should also be called that! One in five children in this country is not ensured of a meal a day. That’s unacceptable. Food security isn’t only about what we produce, but also about availability and affordability of food.”

Singing the praises of the country’s farmers and hailing them as a critical national asset, the MEC said the only things that could trip up South Africa’s farming success, are a lack of unity and collaboration, and policy incoherence. “We need to kill red tape,” she said, to loud applause of the audience.

“We need to go beyond the ordinary. The farmers who can lead, must lead. Knowledge must be shared. And size does not determine success! In Gauteng we believe in aggregation. Massive or small … We want to shift the needle,” the MEC said, referring to efforts to pool the output of smaller producers in the province.

The second African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo is taking place today and tomorrow at Times Square, the Maslow Hotel in Menlyn, Pretoria.

More Imbizo news:

• Strengthening Africa’s food security – ‘We have to start now!’

• Agricultural Outlook: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

• Working with nature rather than against it – regenerative farming for a sustainable future

• From soil to success: How a macadamia farmer secured financial backing

• Bridging the gap between tradition and progress in farming

• AFGRI: A trusted partner in the African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo

• ‘Land reform cannot work unless we empower people to farm successfully’ – Nick Serfontein

• ‘Meaningful transformation in agriculture is impossible without strong partnerships’

• Harnessing technology for smarter farming

• Genetics and breeding technologies in livestock farming

• Strategic partnerships driving transformation and inclusive growth 

• ‘Our country’s farmers are a critical national asset’ – Gauteng’s MEC for Agriculture

• ‘Our black farmers must also have a seat at the table’  – Gauteng’s MEC for Agriculture

• African Farming Imbizo – close to 270 farmers gathering in Pretoria to find solutions for land reform and transformation in the sector

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