On 27 September, SAPPO attended the Agricultural Development Agency (AGDA) Congress, where the theme, “From Silos to Synergy: Unified Pathways for Inclusive Agricultural Growth”, set the tone for discussions on how collaboration can drive the future of agriculture in South Africa. The congress highlighted that with the growing global population, the need for farmers has never been more critical – underscoring the message, “If you have eaten today, thank a farmer!”
AGDA’s approach to unlocking inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth centres on its partnerships across the value chain. Key focal areas discussed included:
- Farmer development: Supporting micro- and small-scale farmers.
- Accessible finance: Building opportunities for farmers to secure funding.
- Market access: Helping farmers reach broader markets.
Prof. Mike Teke, chairman of Masimong Group Holdings, delivered the keynote address, focusing on the potential for agriculture and mining to co-exist. His address stressed the importance of:
- Data and technology: Agriculture is interconnected with IT and other industries, forming part of the bigger economic picture.
- Energy: The collaboration between farming and mining, noting that South Africa still relies on coal for electricity but is shifting focus towards green energy, such as wind turbines in Mpumalanga.
- Water: While mining often produces unusable water, efforts are being made to build water treatment plants to repurpose this vital resource.
The 2024 AGDA Congress also emphasised the importance of farmers recognising their own value and urged them to stop selling themselves short. Inclusivity in agriculture was a key point, with a reminder that “Die Afrikaner can farm!” as a symbol of breaking barriers and fostering unity.
The event included a panel discussion entitled, “Competition or Cooperation: Leveraging Policy and Best Practices to Build Synergistic Agricultural Partnerships,” which examined how collaboration and shared best practices can enhance agricultural success across South Africa. Ultimately, the 2024 AGDA Congress reinforced the message that food security is the foundation of the nation’s future and that the way forward is through synergy and partnership.
