The efficacy of marginalised farmers within the broader South Africa and African context is an issue that has not been given the attention by decision makers in the sector, mostly from rural farming communities that it deserves. The poverty levels is ever-increasing in South Africa with more than 50% of the country’s population, are still living in poverty.

The New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) 2020 states that agriculture is by far the single most important activity in Africa providing employment for about two-thirds (67%) of the continent’s working population. For each country it averages 30-60% of GDP and approximately 30% of the value of exports. Africa has enormous potential, not only to feed itself (“food security”) and eliminate hunger and food insecurity, but also to be a major player in the global food supply markets. This potential lies in its land, water and oceans, in its people and in its knowledge and huge markets.

Marginalised and smallholder farmer empowerment has been part of government’s development agenda for many years, as these groups are extremely vulnerable, food insecure and have restricted access to technology and information. The key source of knowledge for these marginalised farmers is other farmers because it is voluntarily available and its utilisation does not impose a high risk. Because of the legacy of the history on the African continent many of these marginalised farmers are vulnerable because of the lack of self-efficacy. Advocacy in this space of agriculture are needed to alter the ways in which power, resources and ideas are created, consumed and distributed at various levels so that marginalised and emerging farmers have a more realistic chance of controlling their own development and goals agenda.

In this NWU Business School Bon Bon interview, Prof Ronnie Lotriet speaks to William Steenkamp about rooibos farming and its opportunities.