By Marieke Snyman

At the African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2025, a high-level panel discussion led by Chris Burgess, editor-in-chief of African Farming and Landbouweekblad, addressed the crucial topic of inclusive growth in African agriculture. The discussion, titled “Inclusive Growth: An Imperative for African Agriculture”, focused on how collaborations between commercial and smallholder farmers can drive economic transformation and ensure shared prosperity.

Leveraging strengths for mutual benefit

One of the most significant takeaways from the discussion was the importance of leveraging the strengths of both commercial and smallholder farmers. Nick Serfontein, chairman of the Sernick Group, emphasised that meaningful transformation in agriculture is impossible without strong partnerships.

“We must recognise that commercial farmers bring expertise, resources and market access, while smallholder farmers contribute local knowledge, labour and adaptability,” he said. “Collaboration, not competition, is the key to growth.”

Marius Pienaar of JC Pienaar Boerderye echoed this sentiment, stressing that mentorship is a fundamental component of these partnerships. “We need structured support systems where commercial farmers mentor and guide smallholder farmers towards sustainability and profitability,” he noted. “By doing this, we empower rural communities and ensure food security.”

Overcoming barriers to inclusion

Despite the potential benefits of collaboration, the panellists acknowledged several barriers that must be overcome to achieve true inclusivity. Thabo Dithakgwe, owner of Dithabo Farm, pointed out that access to land and financing remains a significant challenge for smallholder farmers. “Without the right funding and security of tenure, small-scale farmers cannot expand or invest in better technology,” he stated. “We need policies that facilitate access to credit and land ownership.”

Khomotso Mashiloane from RMIS underscored the need for innovative financing models. “Traditional banking structures are often not suited to smallholder farmers,” he explained. “We must explore alternative funding mechanisms, such as cooperative models and blended finance, to bridge the gap.”

Strengthening market access

Another major topic was improving smallholder farmers’ access to markets. Mthunzi Ntutela, a communal farmer from the Eastern Cape, highlighted the challenges of selling produce at competitive prices. “Too often, smallholder farmers are left at the mercy of middlemen who dictate prices,” he said. “We need more direct market linkages and farmer cooperatives to strengthen our bargaining power.”

Nick Serfontein agreed, noting that commercial farmers and agribusinesses should actively integrate smallholders into supply chains. “If large-scale producers commit to buying from emerging farmers, we create a stable market environment that benefits everyone,” he added.

The role of technology and innovation

Technology and innovation were identified as critical enablers of inclusive growth. The panellists highlighted the importance of access to modern farming techniques, digital platforms and precision agriculture.

“Technology can level the playing field,” said Mashiloane. “Mobile applications, climate-smart practices and mechanisation can help smallholder farmers improve productivity and resilience against climate change.”

Pienaar stressed that training and knowledge transfer are equally important. “Technology is only useful if farmers know how to use it effectively,” he remarked. “Investing in agricultural training programmes will ensure that small-scale farmers can adopt and benefit from modern advancements.”

Policy reforms and government support

The panellists also emphasised the critical role that governments must play in fostering inclusive agricultural growth. Policies that support land tenure security, investment in rural infrastructure and streamlined regulatory frameworks are essential for smallholder farmers to thrive. “Government intervention should focus on creating an enabling environment,” noted Dithakgwe. “This means reducing bureaucratic red tape, improving access to extension services and ensuring that financial support reaches the right farmers.”

Mashiloane added that more public-private partnerships are needed to ensure that infrastructure development, such as roads, irrigation systems and storage facilities, supports all farmers, regardless of scale. “Better infrastructure improves logistics, reduces post-harvest losses and ultimately increases profitability for smallholders,” he said.

Building resilience against climate change

Another critical aspect discussed was climate change and its impact on agriculture. Farmers are facing increasing risks from unpredictable weather patterns, prolonged droughts and soil degradation.

Ntutela pointed out that smallholder farmers in particular are highly vulnerable to climate shocks. “Without proper support, extreme weather events can wipe out an entire season’s harvest,” he warned.

Serfontein emphasised the importance of climate-smart agriculture. “By adopting sustainable practices, such as conservation tillage, crop rotation and precision irrigation, we can build resilience against climate change,” he said. “It is essential that both commercial and smallholder farmers work together to implement these strategies.”

A call to action

The discussion concluded with a strong call to action for policymakers, financial institutions, agribusinesses and farmers to work together in fostering inclusive growth. The panellists agreed that sustainable agricultural development in Africa will only be achieved through collaboration, investment in infrastructure and policy frameworks that support both commercial and smallholder farmers.

Burgess summed up the discussion by highlighting that inclusive growth is not just a moral obligation but an economic necessity. “If we want to see real transformation in African agriculture, we must embrace a shared vision where all farmers, regardless of scale, can thrive.”

This powerful conversation reinforced the urgent need for cooperative models that bridge the gap between commercial and smallholder farmers, ensuring a prosperous and resilient agricultural sector for Africa’s future.

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

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• ‘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

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