From disease outbreaks to rising input costs, recent shocks in agriculture highlight a critical gap: Without transparent reporting, it is impossible to measure whether South Africa’s Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan is mitigating such challenges.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
The Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP), signed in May 2022, was designed as a coordinated, data-driven framework to tackle structural constraints in the agricultural sector, including low productivity, uneven market access and limited inclusion of emerging farmers. Its goal was to support growth, resilience and inclusion.
Three years later, however, the lack of clear feedback raises an important question: Is the plan delivering measurable results where it matters most?
At its core, the AAMP recognises that agricultural growth in South Africa is shaped by a system of interlinked challenges that require alignment across policy, finance, infrastructure and markets.
The sector still lacks a transparent and measurable account of progress. This is becoming increasingly concerning in light of recent developments in the agricultural landscape.
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FMD Exposes Systemic Weaknesses
The outbreak and continued spread of foot-and-mouth disease has exposed vulnerabilities in biosecurity systems, a lack of coordination between provinces and poor response times. These are exactly the types of risks the Master Plan was meant to address under its pillars of resilience and coordinated action.
Market Access Remains a Challenge
Market access constraints, both domestic and export-related, continue to limit growth. Delays in trade agreements, inefficiencies at ports and logistics challenges all have real economic consequences.
For a sector that depends heavily on exports, competitiveness cannot improve without measurable progress in these areas.
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Rising Costs Squeeze Farmers
At farm level, rising input costs – especially for feed, fertiliser and fuel – are putting pressure on farmers’ margins. Without improvements in productivity, efficiency or pricing, many producers, small- and medium-scale farmers in particular, are under strain.
The AAMP identifies cost competitiveness and value chain efficiency as priorities, yet there is little visibility on what is being done to address these pressures.
Lack of Infrastructure Still Holds Farmers Back
Infrastructure challenges remain a major constraint. Poor rural roads, unreliable energy supply, and limited access to storage and irrigation infrastructure continue to affect productivity and market access.
These are not new issues, but their persistence raises the question what progress has been made under the AAMP?
Why Transparency Matters
The lack of visible reporting does not necessarily mean there has been no progress. Government departments and industry stakeholders may well be implementing parts of the plan. Without transparency, however, it is difficult to distinguish between progress and inaction.
In complex systems such as agriculture, feedback is essential. It enables performance tracking, better decision-making and adjustments where needed. Without it, even well-designed plans risk missing the realities on the ground.
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A Case for a National Conference
There is a strong case to be made for convening a national AAMP conference.
Such a platform should be practical, data-driven and focused on outcomes. It could include:
- Reporting on key indicators such as production growth, job creation, export performance and farmer inclusion;
- Updates from governments departments on infrastructure, biosecurity, finance and trade interventions;
- Insights from the private sector on investment trends and constraints; and
- Feedback from farmers – especially emerging farmers – on access to markets, finance and support.
Such a conference should also allow space for open discussion and independent assessment, ensuring that the AAMP remains responsive to changing conditions.
From Commitment to Accountability
This is not just about communication but also a requirement of governance.
South Africa cannot afford a situation where a major sectoral plan operates without clear benchmarks or public reporting. The risks are already visible in disease outbreaks, market inefficiencies and rising costs affecting farmers across the value chain.
Restoring Confidence
A national conference could help to strengthen the implementation of the AAMP by aligning stakeholders, clarifying priorities and improving coordination. Most importantly, it could restore confidence in the process.
A Plan that Must Deliver
The AAMP was intended as a shared commitment between government, industry and farmers. For that commitment to succeed, it must be supported by evidence, engagement and accountability.
Three years on, the key question is no longer whether the plan exists, but whether it is making a real difference.
Farmers need a clear answer. And that answer will only come when all stakeholders come together, under one roof, to account for progress and chart the way forward.
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Maile Matsimela is the Digital Editor at African Farming. In his weekly column, he writes about agriculture, farmer development, policy and the realities shaping South Africa’s agricultural landscape.
