At the African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2026 in Pretoria, a panel of experts made a compelling case for a shift in agricultural thinking – one that prioritises soil health, blends indigenous knowledge with science, and requires stronger policy support to secure the future of farming.
By Marieke Snyman, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
As pressure mounts on global food systems, the message from the panel discussion on regenerative agriculture was clear: The way we farm today cannot sustain tomorrow. Facilitated by African Farming editor Lebogang Peter Mashala, the discussion brought together voices from science, industry and policy to unpack both the urgency of change and the pathways forward.
Soil Degradation is the Central Crisis
A dominant theme throughout the discussion was the alarming rate at which productive land is being lost. Peter Breese of 9FIVE Integrated Nutrient Systems did not mince his words: “If we carry on doing what we’ve been doing, this world will only be able to feed itself for another 30 years.”
According to Breese, decades of reliance on chemical fertilisers, pesticides and intensive tillage have stripped soils of their most critical component – carbon.
“The major reason for global warming is that we as farmers have destroyed the carbon layer of the earth,” he said. Without this layer, soils lose its ability to retain water, support microbial life and sequester carbon.
He explained that healthy soil is a living system driven by microbial diversity. “We’ve killed the microbes that are naturally designed for this planet to survive,” he noted, drawing comparisons to rainforests that thrive without synthetic inputs. His solution is not a quick fix, but a long-term transition: “It’s a five- to seven-year programme to rebuild the capacity of that land.”
Crucially, Breese emphasised that regenerative agriculture is not just environmentally necessary – it is economically inevitable. With fertiliser costs rising and yields becoming harder to maintain, he warned that farmers are heading toward “a cycle of bust like a tsunami” if they do not adapt.
Also read: Imbizo 2026 | From support to sustainability: MEC Ramokgopa challenges farmers to build bankable futures
Rethinking Farming Systems and Inputs
Caiphas Muyambo from Pannar Seed highlighted the need to rethink how farming systems are designed in the first place. He pointed out that modern agriculture often disrupts natural ecosystems, creating imbalances that require chemical correction.
“The moment you cut all the trees and put maize there you’ve created an artificial ecosystem,” he said. This disruption leads to increased pests and disease, which in turn drives chemical use.
Muyambo addressed misconceptions around “organic” and “genetically modified” farming, noting that technology can also play a role in sustainability. For example, genetically modified (BT) maize can reduce the need for insecticide spraying. “You don’t have to spray. You don’t have to run your tractor many times,” he explained, which in turn lowers fuel use and environmental impact.
However, his core message aligned with the broader panel: Every farmer has a responsibility to protect the land. “Think about how you are going to protect your soil and the environment for the future,” he urged.
Adoption Depends on Understanding and Collaboration
One of the key barriers to regenerative agriculture, the panel agreed, is not just cost or complexity – but mindset and understanding.
Dr Lerato Matsaunyane from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) explained how “living labs” are helping bridge this gap. These on-farm trials bring together farmers, scientists, policymakers and industry to test regenerative practices in real-world conditions.
“The farmers get to see what we’re doing firsthand,” she said. Over multiple seasons, trials comparing organic inputs like bioslurry to synthetic fertilisers showed a clear trend: While chemical fertilisers outperform initially, organic systems improve over time. “By year three they’re performing the same,” she noted, with added benefits of improved soil health and microbial activity.
This participatory approach builds trust and accelerates adoption.
“It’s not some Einstein sitting in the lab. The farmers are part of the journey,” she added.
Also read: Imbizo 2026 | Building confidence and attracting investment in emerging farmers
Policy and localisation are critical
International perspective came from Rodrigo Lopes de Almeida, Brazilian agricultural attaché in Pretoria, who shared how Brazil has successfully scaled regenerative practices.
“More than 90% of Brazilian grain production is based on no-till practices,” he said.
This transformation did not happen by chance – it was driven by policy. Brazil’s Low Carbon Agriculture Plan (ABC Plan) provides a framework for adopting sustainable technologies tailored to local conditions.
“We don’t have a single solution; we design strategies based on local needs,” he explained.
His message to South Africa was clear: Solutions must be context-specific but guided by strong policy support and long-term commitment.
Back on the panel, this point was echoed strongly. “Policy-informed decision-making is the only way we can get it right,” De Almeida stressed, noting that regulation – backed by research – can accelerate change at scale.
Returning to Indigenous Wisdom
Entrepreneur and environmental advocate Anthea Thyssen from EARTizens brought a different, but complementary perspective – one rooted in indigenous knowledge and consciousness.
“I personally believe indigenous knowledge is one of the most sustainable ways to look after our arable land,” she said. She urged farmers to reconnect with natural systems and traditional practices – not as a step backward, but as a foundation for innovation.
Thyssen also highlighted the opportunity for emerging farmers to adopt regenerative practices from the outset.
“It’s a costly exercise for commercial farmers to go back and fix what they’ve destroyed,” she noted, suggesting that new entrants can lead the way by farming holistically from day one.
Also read: Imbizo 2026 | FMD demands action across the value chain – Louw van Reenen
A Shift That Cannot Wait
Despite differing perspectives, the panel converged on three key messages:
- Soil health must be restored.
- Knowledge – both scientific and indigenous – must be integrated.
- Policy must enable large-scale change.
Underlying all of this is a shift in mindset. As Breese put it bluntly: “If you carry on doing what you’re doing today, there is no future.”
The challenge now is turning awareness into action – before the window for regeneration closes.
African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2026
The African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2026 is taking place on 26 and 27 March at Time Square Hotel in Pretoria. This two-day event will bring together more than 200 farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, policymakers, financiers and industry leaders. The goal is clear: To align resources, unlock opportunities and strengthen partnerships that will accelerate the growth of South Africa’s new generation of commercial farmers.
Hosted by African Farming, the Imbizo builds on a strong commitment to advancing black commercial agriculture through information-sharing, networking and development-driven platforms.
Powered by: AFGRI | Ford | Standard Bank – South Africa | RMIS – Red Meat Industry Services | Afrivet | Shell | Vaal University of Technology | Pannar Seed
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