Speaking at the Leadership and Strategic Partnership Conference hosted by the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) and held at the Agricultural Research Council’s Roodeplaat campus on Wednesday, 26 November, the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, Mooketsa Ramasodi, said South Africa’s agricultural future depends on practical implementation, modern legislation and partnerships that work on the ground, not just on paper. His address was a call for unity, accountability and decisive action. He urged the sector to move together in building an agricultural economy that works for farmers today and secures opportunities for future generations.
By Maphuti Mongatane
Agriculture: Carrying the Weight of the Nation
Ramasodi opened by acknowledging the immense pressure farmers face daily, from infrastructure failures and rising input costs to market volatility and regulatory bottlenecks. These challenges, he noted, are often misunderstood or underestimated, yet farmers continue to shoulder them to keep the country fed. He reminded delegates that agriculture is far more than a GDP contribution. It sustains rural economies, underpins national food security and remains one of South Africa’s strongest pathways to intergenerational wealth, particularly for black farmers, who were historically excluded from opportunity.
Modernising Legislation for Today’s Reality
Central to Ramasodi’s address was the urgent need to modernise agricultural legislation that no longer reflects the realities of a modern, globally connected sector. Many of South Africa’s agricultural laws still date back to 1947, an era vastly different from today’s operating environment. He stressed that reform must translate into meaningful outcomes. Updated legislation must:
- Promote fair and competitive market access;
- Strengthen traceability and biosecurity;
- Protect farmers across the value chain;
- Reduce excessive concentration; and
- Unlock export opportunities.
He confirmed that regulatory reform is now a key departmental priority, with visible progress already underway.
Also read: Steenhuisen hints at private vaccine manufacturing amid Rift Valley fever outbreak
Act 36: Listening, Fixing, Moving Forward
Ramasodi addressed frustrations around Act 36 (Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Seeds and Remedies Act 36 of 1947), directly acknowledging the strain it has placed on farmers, exporters, agro-processors and industry bodies. Rather than dismissing criticism, he emphasised that government has listened and acted. The Department has already:
- Taken farmer concerns to Parliament;
- Rebuilt internal capacity;
- Improved turnaround times;
- Begun restructuring application systems; and
- Simplified processes to reduce delays and inefficiencies.
Partnerships That Deliver Real Change
A recurring theme in Ramasodi’s address was that government alone cannot transform agriculture. Sustainable progress depends on deliberate collaboration between farmers, industry, development finance institutions, research bodies, communities and all spheres of government. He highlighted priority areas requiring collective action:
- Electricity and water security;
- Roads, logistics and market infrastructure;
- Improved access to finance;
- Stronger extension and advisory services;
- Accelerated research and innovation;
- Greater export competitiveness; and
- Expanded agro-processing capacity.
“Government interventions must work in practice and not just in policy documents,” he said.
Also read: ‘Stock theft a national crisis; land reform must change’ – Steenhuisen at AFASA conference
Beyond 3%: Unlocking Agriculture’s True Value
While agriculture contributes about 3% to GDP, Ramasodi reminded the audience that its broader economic and social value far exceeds this figure. The sector feeds the nation, anchors rural stability and supports job creation at scale. To unlock its full potential, he called for a national shift:
- From subsistence to commercialisation;
- From primary production to value addition;
- From fragmented initiatives to coordinated action; and
- From historical exclusion to inclusive growth.
With strong policy and committed partnerships, he said, agriculture can become one of South Africa’s most competitive and employment-generating sectors.
Agro-processing: The Next Growth Frontier
Ramasodi identified agro-processing as a game-changer for transformation and rural industrialisation. To build a resilient value chain, South Africa must:
- Expand the number of producers;
- Meet growing domestic and export demand; and
- Strengthen processing capacity so that farmers capture value beyond the farm gate.
A thriving agro-processing sector, he noted, would stabilise pricing, improve competitiveness and create thousands of jobs across rural communities.
In closing, Ramasodi called on government, AFASA, industry leaders and farmers to walk the road together, building markets, strengthening accountability, accelerating transformation and delivering tangible outcomes that uplift farming communities.
Ramasodi’s address at the conference made one thing clear: the tools for transformation exist, but coordinated action is needed. By modernising legislation, strengthening regulatory systems, deepening partnerships and expanding agro-processing, South Africa has a real chance to reshape its agricultural economy into one that is inclusive, competitive and globally positioned.
Also read: BREAKING NEWS | Minister Steenhuisen announces major FMD policy shift at AFASA conference
