Limpopo farmers can no longer afford to “fold their arms and do business as usual” following a groundbreaking stone fruit trade agreement with China worth more than R400 million, Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba declared at the 5th Limpopo Investment Conference held on 30 and 31 October.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
Speaking to investors, farmers and government officials at the Protea Hotel Polokwane Ranch Resort, Premier Ramathuba challenged the province’s agricultural sector to seize an unprecedented opportunity created by the new trade pact that opens Chinese markets to South African peaches, nectarines, plums and prunes for the first time.
“I also read the pronouncement by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation this week when they reported that a new stone fruit trade agreement between South Africa and China has opened a massive Chinese market to South Africa’s five types, [namely] apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums and prunes, for the first time, looking at over R400 million-plus,” said the Premier.
Also read: Historic agreement opens Chinese market to South African stone fruit
The deal, signed on 15 October by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and China’s Minister Sun Meijun of the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) in Shanghai, marks the first instance where China has negotiated access for multiple stone fruit types from a single country under one agreement.
“With this trade pact with China providing the market access, production cannot continue as normal,” Premier Ramathuba emphasised. “So, to those who don’t understand, when we say we will change it, we mean when we have such an announcement, you can’t keep folding your arms and do it as business as usual. So, farmers who are here, here is an opportunity. You must double it so that Limpopo continues to rise.”
Strategic Agricultural Positioning
The Premier highlighted that Limpopo possesses ideal conditions for producing the stone fruits most in demand in the Chinese market, particularly apricots and nectarines. Key production areas include the Waterberg region, parts of the Capricorn District and the Levubu Valley, positioning the province to capitalise fully on this market access.
This agricultural opportunity is part of Limpopo’s comprehensive industrialisation strategy, where agriculture serves as a cornerstone alongside mining and tourism. The province has adopted what the Premier described as “a comprehensive industrialisation strategy focusing on consolidating our economy cluster programmes to maximise our comparative advantages in agriculture, mining and tourism”.
Infrastructure: The Foundation for Agricultural Success
However, Premier Ramathuba emphasised that realising these agricultural opportunities depends heavily on bulk infrastructure development, particularly roads, water supply and energy systems that enable the smooth movement of goods from farm to market.
“Without proper bulk infrastructure, we are not going to see the realisation of those pledges,” she warned. “They can wish to build industry in your ward, but if you don’t provide that proper road, if you don’t provide proper water, adequate water supply, if we don’t provide energy, it won’t be possible and that is our responsibility as government.”
Also read: Farmers need good roads
The Premier stressed that infrastructure development happens at the grassroots level, emphasising the crucial role of municipalities, councillors and local government structures in enabling agricultural success. This collaborative approach spans all levels of government, from local councillors to the presidency, ensuring that farmers have the support systems necessary to capitalise on international market opportunities.
One recent infrastructure success includes the Exxaro renewable energy project in Lephalale, a 68MW solar farm located near the Grootegeluk mine and the town of Lephalale, which will supply clean energy to the mine’s operations. The Premier cited this project as one of “the few indications of the reality of the investment pledges that have been made”.
Economic Growth Trajectory
The agricultural push comes as Limpopo celebrates remarkable economic growth that has positioned the province as a leader in South Africa’s economic recovery. The transformation has been dramatic and measurable.
“The MEC told you that when we came here last year we were at [just] … 0.2% growth and [were one of the provinces that the country had almost given up on],” Premier Ramathuba recalled. “Today we are coming here walking very tall, having [worked] wonders and even surpassing other provinces. We are now at number one, even surpassing the average growth of the country, [which remains at 0.5, while] we are at 0.9%.”
This growth trajectory, said the Premier, places Limpopo ahead of traditionally stronger economic provinces, including the Western Cape, and significantly above the national average. The achievement reflects what the Premier attributed to “collective leadership at all government levels and collaboration with various stakeholders”, positioning Limpopo as a rising economic force in the country.
Traditional Leadership: Partners in Agricultural Development
A significant factor in Limpopo’s agricultural potential lies in land access, where traditional leaders play a crucial role that the Premier acknowledged throughout her address. Traditional leadership has been instrumental in facilitating access to land for agricultural development and allocating communal land to farmers throughout the province.
Also read: Young female farmer facing challenges in expanding her farm on communal land
This partnership between traditional authority and government creates an enabling environment for inclusive agricultural growth, particularly in rural areas where much of the province’s agricultural potential remains untapped. The collaboration facilitates access to communal land that can be productively utilised for both subsistence and commercial farming, supporting the province’s goal of doubling agricultural production.
Mining and Tourism: Completing the Economic Triangle
While agriculture takes centre stage in the current opportunity, Premier Ramathuba outlined how mining and tourism form integral parts of the province’s economic development strategy. Limpopo holds 72% of South Africa’s platinum group metal reserves, yet the Premier noted a significant gap in skills development infrastructure.
The Premier lamented the absence of a mining academy in Limpopo despite the province holding extensive mining resources, with plans now including establishing such institutions to develop specialised skills. The mining sector’s development includes active collaboration between government and mining companies, exemplified by infrastructure projects in Sekhukhune, where mining companies have supported bridge construction.
Tourism development focuses on leveraging the province’s cultural diversity and natural landscapes. Strategic initiatives include the launch of a direct flight route from Hoedspruit to Cape Town, designed to improve accessibility and unlock tourism opportunities. This sector integration ensures that agricultural development occurs within a broader economic framework that maximises synergies between sectors.
Investment Conference Track Record
The 5th Limpopo Investment Conference builds on a track record of securing significant investment commitments, with last year’s conference generating pledges worth R120 billion. However, Premier Ramathuba emphasised that the real measure of success lies not in pledge amounts but in their translation into tangible development.
“What we have agreed that we are going to focus on as a province is that yes, last year we received pledges of R120 billion,” she acknowledged. “But what we have been doing in the past 12 months was to follow them up because we have realised that investors are frustrated in the small corners.
“There are those who will reach out directly to the premier or to the MECs. We are saying to you, we are available to make sure that we unlock those challenges. We can’t sit with lack of bulk infrastructure development by government, which delays their investments.”
Successful examples of pledge realisation include the ZZ2 operations and the Mookgophong Poultry Abattoir, which demonstrate how agricultural investment commitments translate into concrete benefits for the farming community and broader economy. These projects serve as models for how the stone fruit opportunity and related agricultural investments can be successfully implemented.
Skills Development for Agricultural Innovation
The Premier placed significant emphasis on equipping the province’s youth with the technical skills necessary to support agricultural transformation and broader economic development. This focus recognises that maximising the stone fruit opportunity and other agricultural developments requires a skilled workforce capable of meeting international standards.
Also read: Limpopo celebrates first Citrus Secondary Programme graduates
“Significant emphasis was placed on equipping young people with relevant skills to meet the economy’s demands, particularly in technical and artisanal trades,” the Premier noted, criticising the traditional focus on degrees that may not align with economic needs. Instead, she emphasised the importance of maths and engineering education to produce skilled professionals like welders and engineers who can support agricultural mechanisation, processing facilities and infrastructure development.
The skills development strategy also embraces innovation and technology adoption. The Premier highlighted a young scientist from Limpopo working on innovative sodium-ion batteries as an ecofriendly alternative to lithium-ion technology, showcasing the province’s potential in technological development that can support agricultural modernisation.
Regional Integration and Continental Vision
Limpopo’s agricultural development strategy extends beyond provincial and national boundaries, aligning with continental integration initiatives. The province is committed to leveraging its strategic position for regional trade, particularly through alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Limpopo is committed to aligning with the African Continental Free Trade Area and has a high-speed rail proposal to improve connectivity with neighbouring countries, reducing congestion and unlocking trade potential,” the Premier outlined. This regional focus ensures that agricultural products, including stone fruits destined for China, can move efficiently through regional trade corridors.
Also read: Here’s how Limpopo Agriculture’s R1.91 billion budget will be used
The provincial government’s vision positions Limpopo as “Africa’s new investment frontier”, leveraging its geographic advantages and natural resources, and improving infrastructure to serve both regional and international markets.
Government’s Facilitation Role
Throughout her address, Premier Ramathuba positioned government as a facilitator rather than a direct operator in development. This approach recognises that although government must provide enabling infrastructure and policy frameworks, actual production increases and innovation must come from farmers and private sector partners.
“The government positions itself as a facilitator for partnerships, with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability to ensure investments drive economic growth,” she emphasised. This facilitation includes removing regulatory obstacles, providing infrastructure, ensuring land access and creating an environment where farmers can respond effectively to market opportunities.
The Premier’s commitment to responsive governance was evident in her promise to address investor challenges: “To an ordinary citizen of our province, the investment conference will have meaningful worth when an ordinary young student from Mokopane starts to see industrialisation in Mogalakwena and he gets employment.”
Also read:
How 7 visionaries turned a 35m² yard into Limpopo’s aquaponics tourism and education hub
One million cartons for export: Limpopo citrus farm reaches major milestone
Young Limpopo farmers turn frustrations into opportunity
