South Africa has an established framework to unlock agricultural growth, but its success depends on implementation rather than developing another plan, according to agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo.

The country’s Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP), launched in May 2022, was developed through extensive consultation among government, organised agriculture, agribusinesses, labour and other stakeholders. It identifies key constraints across agricultural value chains and outlines measures to support growth, improve inclusion and strengthen the sector.

However, implementation has fallen short of expectations, raising concerns about the commitment of the plan’s signatories and contributing to fatigue among stakeholders who have waited for progress.

Sihlobo argues that the AAMP remains a viable framework for addressing the challenges facing South African agriculture. Rather than starting again, he believes stakeholders should renew their commitment to the existing plan, deliver measurable results and incorporate new insights as implementation progresses.

Several opportunities to expand the sector are already evident. These include increasing agricultural exports, improving port efficiency, adopting new seed varieties, strengthening partnerships around land reform, addressing animal and plant health challenges, and tackling stock theft and agricultural crime.

Land reform could also contribute to growth as government land is released with title deeds. However, beneficiaries will need access to capital and, in some cases, training to develop commercially viable farming operations. Stronger partnerships between government, organised agriculture and agribusinesses will be important in providing this support.

Sihlobo also highlights the need to extend collaboration beyond national government structures in Pretoria. Provincial and local authorities, farmer organisations and commodity groups must be more closely involved in implementing the AAMP to ensure that its priorities reflect challenges across the country.

The plan’s broad consultation process and its commodity-specific analysis provide a foundation for this work. Its limited implementation, however, may have left some stakeholders feeling that their concerns have not been adequately addressed. Demonstrable progress would help rebuild confidence and show that the framework can deliver benefits across the wider agricultural sector.

Balancing Immediate Pressures with Long-Term Growth

South Africa’s agricultural sector has faced significant pressures, including foot-and-mouth disease, other animal health challenges and the need to expand export markets. These priorities have diverted attention and resources from longer-term policy initiatives.

The 2026–27 summer season could bring further pressure, with the potential for an El Niño-related drought raising concerns about agricultural production and water availability. Sihlobo cautions that such challenges require careful allocation of resources but should not become a reason to postpone structural reforms that support long-term growth.

A more coordinated approach would allow stakeholders to respond to immediate threats while continuing to address persistent barriers to investment, productivity and market access.

The central message is that South Africa does not need to start from scratch to unlock its agricultural potential. Revitalising the AAMP, strengthening cooperation across all levels of government and industry, and demonstrating consistent progress could help turn an existing strategy into tangible growth, stronger value chains and broader participation in commercial agriculture.

Source: Wandile Sihlobo