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Uniting for a Prosperous Free State Agriculture Future

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This executive summary provides an overview of key points from the address by Elzabe Rockman, the LUR van Landbou (MEC for Agriculture) in the Free State, delivered at the Free State Agriculture Congress.

Context and Collaboration:

  • The address took place almost exactly one year after the previous congress, at a time when the realities of the Government of National Unity were setting in.
  • The MEC expressed appreciation for the openness and honesty in collaboration with Free State Agriculture, a relationship characterized by a shared commitment to ensure, stabilize, strengthen, and grow the future of agriculture in the Free State.
  • Key areas of cooperation include safety along the border and in rural areas, veld fires, disaster conditions, biosecurity, and the state of roads. A public-private sector committee is being formed to implement the agriculture and agro-processing master plan in the Free State.

    • Key Legislative Developments:

    • The President ratified two important pieces of legislation in January:

      •     ◦ The Conservation and Development of Agricultural Land Act: Aims to ensure agricultural land supports long-term food production, contributing to economic growth. It applies to all agricultural land, outlining principles for its management, evaluation, and classification, and provides for the declaration of protected agricultural land.

          ◦ The Expropriation Act (replacing the 1975 act): This act provides for just and equitable compensation in line with Section 25(3) of the Constitution and guides the factors considered for compensation. It enables the government to acquire property for public purpose and public interest. Section 12(3) specifically allows for expropriation without compensation in circumstances where land is not productively utilized. The Minister of Agriculture has clarified that the act does not permit arbitrary land seizure and requires fair compensation for legitimate expropriations.

      Agricultural Sector Performance and Dominance:

      • The agriculture sector rebounded strongly in late 2024, growing by 17.2% quarter-on-quarter (seasonally adjusted) in Q4 2024, making it the largest contributor to national GDP growth for that quarter. This growth continued into Q1 2025, expanding by 15.8%. These results effectively kept South Africa out of recession.
      • The Free State remains South Africa's agricultural backbone and one of the most productive crop-growing provinces. It is the country's number one producer of white maize (52%), sunflower (51.5%), and soybean (47.3%), and also leads in groundnut production (47%). The province accounts for approximately 20.3% of the national sheep herd and 16% of the national cattle herd.
      • This dominance means the Free State's fortunes significantly influence South Africa's food security and commodity exports. However, it also implies that climate shocks like drought and floods have an outsized economic impact. Diversification and adding value to production are critical for resilience and growth.

        • Export Diversification and Opportunities:

        • While vulnerable to recent US tariffs (US exports are about 4% of agricultural exports, mainly citrus, grapes, wine, and juice), significant opportunities exist.
        • The African continent accounts for the biggest share of South Africa's agricultural exports, and opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Agreement must be optimized.
        • There's potential to leverage South Africa's strategy of expanding agricultural trade with BRICS partners and other emerging economies. China and India are massive importers of food and fiber that align with the Free State's production. China, the world's largest agricultural importer, opened up to SA beef in 2023 and is the top buyer of South African wool. India is a huge market for pulses, edible oils, and fruit.
        • New BRICS members like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt also offer high potential for Free State products, importing vast quantities of food.
        • An export diversification strategy requires targeted promotion and marketing programs and urgently addressing phytosanitary and tariff barriers.

          • Public-Private Partnerships and Projects:

          • The department is forming a public-private sector committee with Free State Agriculture to implement the agricultural master plan, focusing on infrastructure, crop and livestock development, research, technology, value-adding, and market development.
          • Agreements have been signed with organizations like the National Wool Growers Association and the University of the Free State to support wool farmers.
          • The Da Vinci Institute launched an initiative to train 30 students in food manufacturing and production.
          • Agreements with AFASA, the Red Cross, and Meals on Wheels strengthen food security projects.
          • Agreements are being finalized with Pannar and Seedlink, and cooperation with the Independent Development Corporation (IDC) has been strengthened to support and fund agriculture and agri-processing projects, creating opportunities for both emerging and established farmers.

            • Addressing Challenges:

            • Safety: The safety of farmers and communities, especially along the Lesotho border, is a concern for both provincial and national government. Efforts include multi-sector coordination, cross-border security partnerships, improved traceability, and legal framework reforms to combat livestock theft and other cross-border crimes. However, additional investment is needed for human resource capacity in border management, police, and the SANDF.
            • Veld Fires: The response to veld fires, particularly deliberate ones near the border, is lagging. Challenges exist due to border road conditions and issues faced by "Working on Fire" teams. The department is allocating equipment and will engage stakeholders to find innovative solutions for hotspot areas, while acknowledging the vital role of Fire Protection Associations (FPAs).
            • Animal Diseases:

              •     ◦ The Kroonstad provincial veterinary laboratory achieved SAN accreditation for Brucellosis testing after 10 years. Two positive Brucellosis cases have been confirmed, with active monitoring and vaccination efforts underway.

                  ◦ Following a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) meeting, key commitments include fast-tracking FMD disease zones, scaling up vaccine production (including a local multistrain vaccine and a high-security facility by 2026), reinforcing biosecurity, and encouraging private sector co-investment in a national vaccine bank.

              • Road Infrastructure: The poor condition of Free State roads significantly impacts the economy. The Department of Roads has a rural roads intervention program, with completed or near-completed projects addressing flood damage and potholes. An estimated R591.5 million is needed for flood damage repair. Collaboration with private sector entities like VKB and Senwes on road repair initiatives is highlighted.
              • Farmer Support & Project Challenges:

                •     ◦ The department has engaged extensively with approximately 1400 young farmers and visited various farmer groups across all five districts, including those affected by veld fires, cold, and the Jagersfontein mine disaster.

                    ◦ Positive examples include the "Backyard Garden Warriors" – a passionate youth group with no land who successfully grow and sell produce.

                    ◦ However, the MEC highlighted challenges with some emerging farmer projects, such as a group in Lindley/Jerald Lindley who received virgin soil but expected immediate provision of a tractor, underscoring the need for a realistic understanding of the hard work involved in farming.

                    ◦ Two projects (goat and chicken) in Frankfort/Tweeling failed due to incorrect beneficiary identification, highlighting the need to better select beneficiaries to prevent projects from becoming mere "poverty alleviation" without sustainable farming outcomes.

                    ◦ Issues with poor coordination between different levels of government were noted, such as boreholes being covered by new roads due to housing projects.

                    ◦ A deeply concerning land restitution project in Gou Hello was detailed, where a young woman received land with no basic services and struggles to make a living from a few chickens, underscoring that current support does not fulfill the spirit of "land restitution".

                Addressing Corruption and Call for Integrity:

                • The MEC acknowledged that corruption is not isolated to any one province and is a shared responsibility between public officials and private sector partners, emphasizing that "it takes two to tango".
                • She stressed the importance of integrity, defining it as "what happens when no one is looking".
                • A concerning statistic revealed the MEC is the only certified fraud examiner in the Department of Agriculture, highlighting a critical need to build anti-corruption capacity across all government levels.
                • The Steinhoff scandal was cited as an example of private sector corruption that has severe real-world consequences, affecting individuals' lives and savings, stressing that corruption is not a "faceless crime".

                  • Vision for the Future:

                  • The MEC expressed profound awareness of the struggles and resilience of farmers, acknowledging the critical importance of their work.
                  • A strong call was made for unity, collaboration, and collective problem-solving to cultivate a prosperous agricultural sector.
                  • The vision includes supporting commercial farmers, uplifting black farmers, providing robust support for agribusiness, and channeling investments to transform small-scale farming into thriving, sustainable commercial ventures.
                  • Agriculture is presented as transcending mere survival; it embodies principles of development, cultivation, and establishing a lasting legacy, with a focus on ensuring future generations do not face the same challenges.
                  • The address concluded with a message of optimism and determination, emphasizing faith in the capabilities, brilliance, and unity of strength, and aligning with the idea of farmers as an "unstoppable force and immovable object".
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                    Maxmedia Video PodcastsBy Jacques Basson