We are quick to blame farmers when government-funded projects collapse. But conversations on the ground reveal a different reality: Many of these failures begin with poor infrastructure handed over from the start.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
Across the country, multimillion-rand agricultural projects with critical defects are being transferred to farmers – from substandard materials to poorly installed equipment – turning what should be opportunities into liabilities from day one.
This reality formed part of a candid discussion I had with Deputy Minister of Agriculture Nokuzola Capa on the sidelines of the Poultry Masterplan Executive Oversight Committee (EOC) engagement held at Phetogo Grootspruit Broiler Farm in Bronkhorstspruit on 30 April 2026.
The discussion centred on aligning infrastructure and input support with the objectives of the Poultry Master Plan, a programme aimed at strengthening participation of black farmers in the poultry value chain.
While the intention behind such programmes remains sound, implementation gaps continue to undermine their success.
Farmers are often handed newly built facilities that appear complete on the surface but reveal significant flaws upon closer inspection. These include poorly constructed housing units, malfunctioning and automated feeding systems, and infrastructure that lacks the capacity to support production demands.
In some cases, farmers are forced to spend additional resources attempting to fix faults, placing further financial strain on already vulnerable operations.
The issue, as raised during the discussion, lies in the breakdown between policy design and execution – particularly where contractors cut corners, use substandard materials or fail to meet required specifications.
Deputy Minister Capa acknowledged the challenge, pointing to weaknesses in oversight and accountability.
“The department responsible for monitoring and evaluation is going to be on the ground, ensuring they actually inspect, and expect quarterly and monthly reports,” she said.
She further warned that contractors who fail to deliver on their commitments are not only undermining government programmes but exploiting both the state and the intended beneficiaries. “Some people get exploited by those who pretend and present to us that they will be doing the work,” she added.
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Infrastructure Must Be Practical, Not Symbolic
Capa emphasised the need for a shift in how agricultural infrastructure is conceptualised and delivered.
Rather than focusing on highly visible but often underutilised structures, investment should prioritise functional infrastructure that directly supports production – including water access, reliable energy and appropriate handling facilities.
“Throughout South Africa, all nine provinces have agricultural products, but we must pave a way, bring infrastructure closer, bring water closer. The infrastructure must not only be about halls – it should be about infrastructure relevant to what those people can do,” she said.
Poultry Remains an Accessible Entry Point
Within this context, poultry production continues to stand out as one of the most accessible farming enterprises for smallholder farmers – provided that basic infrastructure requirements are met.
Capa highlighted the importance of energy solutions, including solar, particularly in addressing winter electricity challenges.
“Chickens can be done easier than any other project, because chickens are there if you have heat, if you have solar… maybe something that will help when the sun is not there in winter,” she said.
Livestock Sector Faces Deeper Infrastructure Gaps
Beyond poultry, the Deputy Minister pointed to significant untapped potential within the red meat and cattle sector – constrained largely by inadequate infrastructure.
The absence of basic facilities such as holding pens and handling systems limits farmers’ ability to fully participate in formal markets.
“If you don’t have a place to hold cattle even for two hours, you can’t do the business,” she said.
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Strengthening Accountability
Capa concluded by committing to intensified monitoring and engagement efforts, including increased on-the-ground presence and stricter oversight mechanisms.
“We’ll bring more campaigns, and more campaigns,” she said.
While these commitments signal intent, the success of agricultural support programmes will ultimately depend on whether monitoring translates into accountability – and whether infrastructure delivered to farmers is functional; not just complete on paper.
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