The African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2026, held on 26 and 27 March at the Time Square Hotel in Pretoria, reaffirmed something that many of us in agriculture already know: Meaningful progress in the sector happens when farmers, financiers, policymakers and industry leaders come together to confront challenges honestly and collaborate on solutions.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
This year’s Imbizo, now in its third year, brought together more than 200 delegates from across the agricultural value chain. Farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, development agencies, financial institutions and policymakers gathered with a shared objective: to align resources, unlock opportunities and strengthen partnerships that can accelerate the growth of South Africa’s next generation of commercial farmers.
For African Farming, the Imbizo has always been more than just an event. It is a platform to facilitate real conversations about the future of agriculture and to ensure that emerging and black commercial farmers have access to the knowledge, networks and opportunities needed to grow sustainable businesses.
Also read: Imbizo 2026 | Managing the new normal: RMIS charts a path through foot-and-mouth (FMD) crisis
Disease Management: FMD’s Multi-million Rand Impact on Agriculture
One of the most urgent topics discussed this year was the ongoing threat of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to South Africa’s red meat industry. Louw van Reenen, executive chairperson of the Beefmaster Group, delivered a sobering yet practical analysis of the impact of the disease on the entire value chain.
While FMD rarely kills animals, its economic consequences can be devastating. Quarantines halt slaughter operations, export markets are immediately closed and producers suffer significant financial losses. In some cases, losses can reach thousands of rands per animal. For large feedlots, the cost of an outbreak can quickly escalate into hundreds of millions of rands.
Van Reenen emphasised that FMD is not unique to Africa. Many countries around the world face the same challenge yet continue to participate successfully on global markets through strict disease control systems, vaccination programmes and reliable animal traceability systems. His message was clear: South Africa has the potential to compete globally, but only if the industry strengthens reporting, biosecurity, vaccination programmes and traceability systems.
Also read: Imbizo 2026 | FMD demands action across the value chain – Louw van Reenen
Investment Readiness: Beyond Passion to Bankable Proposals
Another key focus of the Imbizo was preparing emerging farmers to become investment-ready. Access to finance remains one of the most significant barriers to agricultural growth, yet the discussions highlighted that funding challenges are not only about capital; they are also about readiness.
Praveen Dwarika, head of AFGRI Farmer Development, reminded farmers that investors need more than passion and production potential. They need structured, transparent and credible business information. Financial records, governance systems, compliance with labour laws and clear growth strategies all play a crucial role in attracting investment.
Increasingly, investors are also looking at environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations when evaluating agricultural projects. Responsible water use, biodiversity protection and sustainable farming practices are no longer optional; they are becoming essential requirements for long-term investment.
Also read: Imbizo 2026 | Building confidence and attracting investment in emerging farmers
Banking Perspectives: Structure and Risk Management for Agricultural Finance
From the banking perspective, Andrie Greeff of Standard Bank provided valuable insights into how farmers can structure their businesses to access finance more effectively. He emphasised that understanding risk is fundamental to building a strong relationship with lenders. Farmers who understand their production risks, manage cash flow effectively and maintain accurate records are far better positioned to secure funding.
Greeff also highlighted an issue that often goes unnoticed: business structure. Many farmers operate multiple enterprises under a single entity, which can make it difficult for investors or lenders to support specific operations. Separating enterprises such as crops, livestock or poultry into structured entities can significantly improve transparency and investment potential.
Finance and partnerships were also central to a panel discussion during the Imbizo. Industry leaders explored practical models that combine funding, technical expertise and insurance to support agricultural growth. The consensus was clear: Sustainable agricultural development requires coordinated efforts between financial institutions, agribusinesses and farmers.
Also read: Imbizo 2026 | Banking and risk: Key insights for modern farmers
Learning from Brazil: A Blueprint for Agricultural Transformation
Delegates also gained valuable international perspective from Rodrigo Lopes de Almeida, Brazil’s agricultural attaché to South Africa. Brazil’s journey from food insecurity in the 1970s to becoming one of the world’s largest agricultural producers demonstrates what is possible when research, innovation and long-term policy alignment work together.
Brazil’s success has been built on investing in agricultural science, developing technologies suited to tropical conditions and adopting climate-smart production systems. The message for South Africa is that transformation in agriculture is possible when science, policy and farmer engagement move in the same direction.
One of the most thought-provoking conversations at the Imbizo focused on the next decade of agricultural transformation. Panellists agreed that the sector must move beyond programmes that focus only on participation and instead prioritise initiatives that enable farmers to scale commercially viable operations.
Access to export markets, improved financing models and stronger farmer collaboration will be essential if South Africa is to unlock the full potential of its agricultural sector.
From Farmer to Agripreneur: Building Scalable Agricultural Businesses
Entrepreneur and farmer Sizo Tshabalala perhaps captured the spirit of the Imbizo best when he challenged farmers to shift from simply working in their businesses to working on their businesses. The difference between a farmer and an agripreneur, he argued, lies in mindset. Successful agripreneurs start with the market in mind, build systems and governance structures, and develop businesses that can grow beyond survival.
The lessons from this year’s Imbizo were clear. Agriculture remains one of South Africa’s greatest opportunities for economic growth, job creation and food security. But unlocking that potential will require stronger collaboration, better business practices and a commitment to building commercially viable farming enterprises.
Also read: Imbizo 2026 | Stop working in your business and start working on your business – Sizo Tshabalala, founder of Tshabalala Foods
At African Farming, we remain committed to creating platforms that connect farmers with knowledge finance and markets. The conversations that took place at the African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2026 are part of a broader journey to ensure South Africa’s emerging farmers are not only participants in agriculture, but leaders in building its future.
We thank all the sponsors, speakers, partners and farmers who made this year’s Imbizo a success. Most importantly, we thank the farmers who continue to show resilience, innovation and determination in growing South Africa’s agricultural sector.
Powered by: AFGRI | Ford | Standard Bank – South Africa | RMIS – Red Meat Industry Services | Afrivet | Shell | Vaal University of Technology | Pannar Seed
Also read:
From our editor: More than just meat – who will guard the knowledge?
From our editor: War, youth and the future of agriculture
