Farmer's Weekly

South Africa's oldest & most trusted agricultural magazine. Bringing you the latest news, in-depth analysis & farming success stories. #FarmersWeeklySA

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

A panel discussion on structural reform and business-government partnerships as drivers of economic growth formed part of the opening session on the first day of the #AgbizCongress2026.

The panel was facilitated by Tanya Cohen and featured Prof Johan Kirsten, director of the Bureau for Economic Research at Stellenbosch University; Lunga Maloyi, director of economic policy at Business Unity South Africa (BUSA); and Prof Ferdi Meyer, managing director of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP).

The discussion focused on the role that partnerships and strategic alliances play in driving operational improvements across the economy and advancing structural reform.

Panelists noted that while policies, regulations and institutional frameworks have been established, challenges relating to human and institutional capacity remain.

These constraints are often compounded by a lack of political and administrative will to implement reforms and bring initiatives to fruition.

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

“Can we allow anyone in society to suffer from poverty or hunger if we have the numbers that tell us so!?”

Speaking at the #AgbizCongress2026, @SGMaluleke , Statistician-General of @StatsSA , emphasised that data should not merely describe society's challenges but should be used to inform solutions that address them.

He also stressed that employment must translate into income and economic participation.

“Only through making money will people be able to meet their basic needs and take part in the economy.”

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

Thousands of tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe say they are frustrated with low prices, pointing to a growing gap between returns and high production costs as the country’s 2026 tobacco marketing season continues.
https://t.co/UWIJ13o42j

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

Congratulations to the new @AgbizSA leadership elected during the organisation's members' meeting at the #AgbizCongress2026 in Gqeberha.

PG Strauss was elected chairperson, while Lukeshni Chetty and Francois Swanepoel were elected deputy chairpersons.

The newly elected Steering Committee members are Boitshoko Ntshabele and Tobias Doyer.

The other elected member representatives are:
• Dewald Olivier
• Dr Thomas Funke
• Liesl Breytenbach
• Marlene Louw
• Piet Smit

“This leadership reflects the spirit of this year’s Congress theme, ‘Embracing Collaboration’, as we continue engaging on the future of a competitive, sustainable and inclusive agribusiness sector,” said Agbiz CEO Theo Boshoff.

Photo: @ToitMagda

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

.@AgbizSA CEO Theo Boshoff said it was important for the agriculture sector to collaborate in shaping the future of agriculture.

“At Agbiz, and through this congress, we aim to create an enabling environment in which agricultural businesses can thrive, inter alia through our collaborative work within formal platforms such as Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and NEDLAC, as well as through bilateral partnerships,” he said. #AgbizCongress2026

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

Highlighting South Africa's position within the current geopolitical and global economic environment, Mcebisi Jonas, special envoy to the Presidency, said the country's agriculture sector had continued to perform well despite numerous challenges and a failing public system.

“But this is not a sustainable system. The private and formal agriculture sector cannot continue to substitute for a weak public system with significant shortcomings,” he said.

While South Africa is a relatively small player in the global economy, it remains at the heart of agricultural production in the region.

“The agriculture sector operates in a volatile environment characterised by wars and disrupted markets. These factors are creating uncertainty for businesses. Even if these conflicts were resolved today, their consequences would not disappear overnight. Disruptions to global markets are likely to persist for some time,” Jonas said.

He added that these disruptions were not merely abstract events.

“We are operating in a fragmented global economy. These developments have real consequences, affecting oil prices, shipping costs, fertiliser availability and prices, employment opportunities, food prices and the sustainability of household incomes.” #AgbizCongress2026

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

“South African agriculture is about far more than crops, livestock, markets and technology. At its heart, it is about people - feeding communities, sustaining livelihoods, protecting natural resources and creating opportunities for future generations. The #AgbizCongress2026 provides an important platform to discuss shared pressures, from rainfall and commodity prices to input costs, exchange rates and logistics, and to find practical solutions together.”- Dr Lukeshni Chetty

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

In her welcome address at the 2026 @AgbizSA Congress in Gqeberha, Dr Lukeshi Chetty, general manager of the South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR) and second deputy chairperson of Agbiz, said that in a time of great change, the congress provides an opportunity for stakeholders to share expertise across the sector.

She added that gatherings such as the #AgbizCongress2026 create an ideal platform to discuss solutions to the challenges facing the industry while recognising the realities in which the sector operates.

“We believe in the future of agriculture and the country. Agriculture has always been about people, feeding communities, stewarding resources and steering the industry towards the future. We have always been able to innovate and adapt to the opportunities and challenges facing the sector and to meet changing consumer expectations,” she said.

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

China’s recent tariff-free market access and amended protocols on citrus fruit shipments from South Africa are expected to be a game-changer for the local industry.
https://t.co/MsAgAmythi

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

The @WOOLFARMER's National Centennial Congress is taking place in Jeffreys Bay, where industry leaders, economists, researchers and wool producers are gathering to reflect on 100 years of South Africa's wool industry and discuss the road ahead.

Under the theme, 'Honouring Our Heritage, Weaving Our Future', discussions are expected to focus on sustainability, economic growth, climate resilience, transformation and the future competitiveness of the wool sector.

Photos: Octavia Avesca Spandiel

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

John Deere has introduced its new-generation F-Series self-propelled forage harvesters to the global market, with the machines aimed specifically at large dairy operations and silage contractors seeking higher throughput, lower fuel consumption, and improved forage quality.
https://t.co/mhG2cTN2U9

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

Amid a delayed and uncertain start to the 2026/27 sugar cane season, KwaZulu-Natal’s sugar industry is pinning its hopes on a grower-led rescue plan aimed at preventing the liquidation of Tongaat Hulett and safeguarding thousands of jobs linked to its mills and refinery operations.
https://t.co/zQs7A66fsr

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

South Africa’s FMD vaccination campaign is facing increasing scrutiny as Parliament raises concerns about the state’s ability to contain the outbreak and questions intensify over whether government has the operational capacity to manage vaccine rollout at the speed and scale required.
https://t.co/qn9EUDv9tj

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

The Eastern Cape’s emerging hemp industry has taken a step forward following the display of locally processed hemp fabric at a stakeholder engagement session held at the Southern Sun Hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay last week.
https://t.co/Lbo8Xusxyh

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

Silas Howarth, co-founder of The Cannabis Expo, spoke to #FarmersWeeklySA about the success of this year's event, which has seen 20% growth compared to last year.

According to Howarth, the expo's year-on-year growth mirrors the development of the cannabis sector itself, with the event providing a platform for education, innovation, networking and business opportunities across the value chain.

[Farmer's Weekly @FarmersWeeklySA]

#FarmersWeeklySA is exhibiting at the Cannabis Expo, Sandton Convention Centre from 29 to 31 May.

The Expo brings together exhibitors showcasing cannabis and hemp products, panel discussions on policy and regulation, networking opportunities, and much more.

If you are attending, come say hi to the Farmer’s Weekly team.