By Lebogang Mashala
Implementing sustainable farming methods that lower emissions and reduce pollution of air, water and soil will help agricultural production thrive for generations to come.
The sustainability of South African farms is essential not only for environmental protection but also for securing long-term agricultural yields and, consequently, South Africa’s food security.
This was according to Gert Breet, Sustainable Agriculture Lead at FNB Commercial, during a media event hosted by FNB at Nampo 2025, discussing the role and future of sustainability for grain farmers.
According to Breet, sustainability – optimising scarce resources to preserve and enhance value over the long term – has been a cornerstone of agricultural development and is deeply ingrained in the mindset of South African farmers. “Nevertheless, further progress remains necessary, which is why a multi-stakeholder approach involving government, farmers and financial institutions is critically important,” he said.
There is an urgent requirement to align farming practices with environmental imperatives by adopting methods that reduce emissions, minimise pollution of air, water and soil, and ensure ecosystems can support agricultural production for generations to come. Conservation agriculture practices, such as minimum tillage, crop rotation and regenerative farming, are designed to reduce environmental impact without unduly compromising productivity.
“The sustainability of our farming environment faces mounting pressure that will intensify in the coming decades,” Breet emphasised.
“While the most severe impacts may be a generation away, we are committed to promoting sustainable agricultural practices today. Our relationship with farmers is fundamentally collaborative, and we work alongside them as partners in this transition. By providing both support and specialised financing options, we create outcomes that deliver financial benefits to farmers while simultaneously enhancing environmental health. This dual-impact approach generates significant positive ripple effects throughout the agricultural ecosystem and broader community.”
Dr Corné Louw, head of applied economics and member services at Grain SA, emphasised the importance of implementing sustainable practices to enhance environmental stewardship. “Agriculture in South Africa is highly diverse, with significant variability in soil characteristics and climatic conditions. It is essential to implement environmentally sustainable practices that also support economic viability. Adapting to new production systems requires long-term investment, and there is a growing demand for financial products designed to facilitate these transitions,” Louw says.
Cobus van Coller, a grain farmer near Bothaville, was among the first farmers in his area to adopt conservation agriculture more than ten years ago.
“In the beginning, farmers and input suppliers struggled to find a feasible way forward and there was a lot of trial and error, which often came at a high cost. Today, we have a better understanding of how to implement conservation agriculture, and the ‘school fees’ are less,” Van Coller explained.
He emphasised the importance of farmers exploring more sustainable farming methods in the current environmental context. When he began farming in his area, there were about 30 farmers, including himself. Now, only around five farmers remain, all of whom have adopted sustainable farming practices.
“Farming sustainably isn’t rocket science. Farmers can achieve it through practices such as crop rotation, utilising maize, soybeans, sunflower, and sorghum,” Van Coller stated. He also highlighted the necessity of precision farming, advising farmers to maximise the use of their current machinery before investing in larger, more expensive equipment.
Cobus noted that many farmers confuse sustainable farming with the term “no-till.” While no-till has become a popular concept, it is just one tool or component of sustainable farming. It may not be suitable for everyone, as its effectiveness depends on the environment and soil type. Some farmers often misuse this method to cut corners because they lack the funds for proper soil preparation, leading to negative perceptions of no-till practices.
FNB economist Paul Makube highlighted the many advantages of sustainable farming for farmers. For instance, those who export their products, particularly when catering to consumers who prioritise sustainability, benefit significantly. He said the traceability of their products back to the farms is crucial. “It’s important for farmers to embark on this journey to access various markets, as consumers are willing to reward them for being sustainable. This involves caring for the environment, looking after the well-being of their workers and providing healthy food. However, achieving this requires farmers to implement genuine changes in their practices, using fewer chemicals and working in harmony with nature,” said Makube.
According to Breet, FNB launched its Sustainable Agriculture Loan one year ago at Nanpo 2024. He said since then, uptake has demonstrated substantial demand for sustainable practices. “The FNB Sustainable Agriculture Loan represents a groundbreaking financial product for FNB, embodying the bank’s tangible delivery on its commitment to supporting agricultural transformation and enhancing its contribution to a more resilient, low-carbon economy,” explained Breet.
“Our range of financing and business-support solutions demonstrates FNB’s longstanding commitment to provide much more than ‘off-the-shelf’ funding to farmers,” he said. “Rather, we are investing in a future where farming grows from strength to strength. We aim to make climate-smart farming practices accessible to an increasing number of farmers and facilitate the implementation of best practices across the sector, to the benefit of farmers, the environment and the South African economy.”
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