South Africa’s agricultural future will depend on how quickly the sector adapts to technology-driven skills development. This was the message from Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and AgriSETA CEO Fanny Phetla at Nampo 2026.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor African Farming
Speaking during a Grain SA panel discussion on 12 May, Steenhuisen said agriculture is evolving rapidly, with technologies such as drones, agritech systems and scientific innovation reshaping the industry. He stressed that South Africa must prepare young people for the “skills of the future” by partnering with countries already advanced in agricultural technology.
The Minister revealed that South Africa has signed several technical cooperation agreements with countries including Italy, Japan and China to expose local students to global agricultural innovation and emerging technologies. He said these partnerships must move beyond paperwork and translate into practical skills development that directly benefits the country’s agricultural sector.
Steenhuisen also warned that South Africa’s biggest challenge remains the shortage of critical skills, saying future economic growth will depend on whether the country can train enough people to drive technological advancement in agriculture.
Also read: WATCH | Fears of a global food crisis are premature
Phetla Calls For Stronger Agritech Skills Development
Phetla echoed these concerns, saying while the sector has produced many learners through SETA programmes over the years, the real challenge lies in practical application and ensuring those learners actively participate in the economy.
He said the industry cannot talk about the future of farming without responding to technology demands and called for stronger collaboration between government, private sector, training institutions and industry players.
Phetla further highlighted the need to strengthen agricultural colleges and private institutions so they can respond effectively to modern farming technologies. He said funding, partnerships and industry-wide cooperation would be critical in ensuring emerging farmers and young people are not left behind in the shift towards technology-driven agriculture.
Keep an eye on www.africanfarming.com for more articles on the panel discussion.
Also read: How Agri Skills Transfer is preparing a new generation for Africa’s agricultural future
