This week has been one of the saddest on the international stage as the world witnesses yet another escalation of war in the Middle East. It is shocking and deeply troubling that, in 2026, innocent civilians, especially children, continue to bear the brunt of political and military conflict.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
Reports that a girls’ primary school in Minab, in Iran’s Hormozgan province, was struck during military attacks by the United States and Israel, reportedly killing at least 165 schoolgirls and injuring many others, have shaken the conscience of the world. A strike on a school represents a grave assault on children, on education and on the future of an entire community. There is simply no justification for killing girls in a classroom.
Wars in this day and age feel increasingly unnecessary. History has shown us repeatedly that conflict brings devastation and suffering, with very little that can be described as progress.
Yet the consequences of war are never confined to the battlefield. Even here in South Africa, thousands of kilometres away, we will feel the ripple effects. Oil prices have already begun to rise, and with them the cost of living. For farmers, who are already grappling with high input costs, this could mean even higher prices for fuel, fertiliser feed and transport.
Global instability reminds us just how fragile our food systems can be. It also reminds us of the importance of building resilient and productive agricultural sectors at home.
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Recently I had a conversation with a colleague about the trajectory we are on as a country when it comes to youth participation in mainstream agriculture. Despite the existence of several state-run and private agricultural colleges, there appears to be a surprisingly small number of graduates who ultimately become commercial farmers.
Many of the graduates I have encountered are indeed working in the sector, but largely as civil servants in government departments, researchers in public institutions or employees within agribusiness. Few seem to transition directly into farming enterprises of their own.
This observation is not meant to suggest that agricultural graduates are absent from farming. Rather, it raises an important question: Considering the number of students graduating from agricultural institutions every year, why do we see so few of them establishing themselves as farmers?
Perhaps the more important question is whether the system itself is designed to support them in doing so.
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Rural youth remain central to the future of food security. Yet both in South Africa and globally, many young people struggle to see a viable future for themselves in agriculture or even in rural areas more broadly.
There are many possible reasons for this, but one thing appears clear: The system is not fully designed to help young farmers thrive.
If we are serious about securing our food systems, we must create an environment that actively encourages young people to enter agriculture and remain in the sector. Agriculture must become a vibrant, dynamic and attractive industry where young entrepreneurs can build sustainable careers and thriving businesses.
This requires a clear and coordinated plan that addresses the specific barriers facing aspiring farmers, particularly access to land, finance and information.
Equally important is the restoration of South Africa’s agricultural support institutions. These institutions must not only regain their former strength but also adapt to the realities of modern agriculture, where climate change, environmental pressures and technological shifts increasingly shape farming decisions.
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The Agricultural Research Council (ARC), for example, must be properly capacitated and adequately funded to attract both new and experienced talent. South Africa and the broader African continent face complex agricultural challenges that demand innovation, cutting-edge research and locally relevant solutions.
At the same time, the Land Bank must re-establish itself as a credible and effective development finance institution. Over the years it has faced governance and operational challenges that have undermined its ability to serve emerging farmers effectively.
Government must also provide clear direction on agricultural development. Given our country’s history and the urgent need for inclusive growth, it is difficult to understand why we continue to expect development finance institutions to operate largely on privately funded models. If agriculture is truly a national priority, then the institutions that support it must be structured accordingly.
In short, meaningful change is needed, and it is needed urgently.
It is against this backdrop that initiatives aimed at building partnerships and unlocking opportunities for emerging farmers become so important.
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The upcoming African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo, taking place from 26–27 March at Times Square at The Maslow Hotel in Pretoria, offers one such platform. The two-day gathering will bring together more than 200 farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, policymakers, financiers and industry leaders.
Importantly, the Imbizo will create space for young farmers and aspiring entrants to connect directly with institutions and individuals shaping the future of agriculture.
Hosted by African Farming, the Imbizo builds on a strong commitment to advancing black commercial agriculture through information-sharing, networking and development-driven partnerships.
Under the theme “Collaborating for Impact: Advancing new-generation farmers into the mainstream economy”, the event aims to move beyond conversation toward practical engagement.
Discussions will focus on key issues shaping the sustainability and growth of emerging farmers, including:
- access to finance and blended funding models
- market access and value chain integration
- skills development and training
- technology adoption,
- building resilient and scalable farming enterprises
At a time when agriculture is under pressure from climate variability, rising input costs and biosecurity threats, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), collaboration across the public and private sectors has never been more important.
If we want agriculture to remain a pillar of food security and economic development, we must invest in the people who will carry the sector into the future.
And those people are the young farmers we must start building today.
I hope to see you there.
Also read:
African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2026 – Meet the speakers: John Steenhuisen
African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2026 – Meet the speakers: Ntuthuko Shezi
African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2026 – Meet the speakers: Bennedicter Mhlongo
