South Africa has a robust agriculture export market that is worth USD 12,8 billion (year-on-year; 2023). Small-scale farmers play an important role not only provide economic opportunities for rural communities, it also plays a massive role in food security and poverty alleviation. However, small-holder farmers do face serious challenges that limit the extent to which they can build a sustainable agricultural venture such as limited access to markets, financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure and mitigation systems to address climate change. Due to these challenges, most small-scale farmers are struggling to feed their families or turn a profit.

As part of a series of discussions, we unpack the state of our agricultural sector with a focus on the 2 million small-scale farmers that are in operation and if organizations representing this segment of the agricultural landscape has raised alarm for these urgent challenges to be addressed. In the coming weeks, we will address some of the policy that exists which does not include provisions for smallholder farmer and what government interventions that can be made in a new administration to alleviate the outlined challenges. 

Guest: Khakhu Mutheiwana - Potato Farmer and Attorney

Guest: Nyiko Maluleke - Chief Executive Officer of Buhle Farming Academy

Guest: Ipeleng Kwadi - Cattle Farmer