AgriSA participated in the very recent South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Monetary Policy Forum. This forum serves as a platform to clarify the objectives and mechanisms behind monetary policy to the public; and enhance the comprehension of the complex interconnectedness between domestic and international factors shaping monetary policy decisions.

Climate change refers to gradual shifts in temperatures and weather patterns over a long period of time. Climate shifts can be natural, for example due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. However, since the industrial revolution in the late 1700’s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels in the form of coal, oil and gas and the destruction of natural habitats and their ecological systems.

The Extension of Security of Tenure Amendment Act ('ESTAA') marks a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of property rights in South Africa. Enacted on 1 April 2024, this legislation represents a concerted effort to address longstanding issues within the Extensions of Security of Tenure Act of 1997 (“the principal Act”). Through the introduction of key amendments and regulations, ESTAA aims to enhance security of tenure while balancing the rights of both landowners and occupiers.

On April 9, 2024, a gathering convened by the Vaalharts District Agricultural Union (VDAU) in Hartswater illuminated key facets shaping South Africa's agricultural sector. Discussions revolved around economic dynamics influencing agricultural financing, political landscapes leading up to national elections, and legal frameworks governing water resource management. These themes underscored the complex interplay between policy, finance, and natural resources in agricultural development.

South Africa's rich culinary heritage is marred by a pressing challenge: food waste. Annually, we discard a staggering 10 million tonnes of food, equivalent to filling six sports stadiums. This waste comes at a significant cost, amounting to R61.5 billion annually, or 2.1% of GDP, exacerbating food insecurity in our society.

In recent months, South Africa has experienced extreme drought conditions significantly impacting the agricultural sector and raising concerns about food prices and availability. With these challenges, there are notable strengths and strategies within the agricultural sector that help maintain stability and resilience during difficult times.

Despite being a water-scarce country, South Africa has developed strong agricultural practices.

‘A sustainable human settlement is a community of people in which economic growth and social development are in balance with each another; resources are used responsibly so that they will continue to deliver value to future generations; and everyone has an opportunity to participate in the economy, to be treated fairly and to prosper’.

Housing has been a contentious subject in South Africa for a long time. Most of the country’s urban areas face multiple housing challenges, many due to the absence of affordable housing in areas of opportunity for the urban poor. It also has not helped that poor communities have struggled to access well-located land through formal channels and as a result, informal settlements and the housing backlog continue to increase at a pace that the government struggles to manage.

On 17 November 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation published the proposed National Water Amendment Bill and Water Services Amendment Bill for public comment. While the initial deadline for comments expired on 16 January 2024, the period was extended until 1 March 2024.

The recent release of GDP figures revealing a 12.2% decline in the agricultural sector has sent shockwaves through the industry.

AgriSA, representing South Africa's agricultural sector, acknowledges President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, which underscored the pivotal role agriculture plays in the nation's economy. As the backbone of South Africa's economic landscape, agriculture serves as a catalyst for growth, job creation, and food security.

Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi announced the new minimum wage in the Government Gazette on Friday. The national minimum wage, including for farmworkers, has been hiked to R27,58 per hour from 1 March 2024. That is an increase of 8,5% compared to the minimum wage of R25,42 per hour until the end of February. The increase is 2,5 percentage points higher than the average inflation rate for 2023, which was 6%.

The veld and livestock are in reasonable to poor condition in most areas. Land preparations are underway for summer crops. Above normal rainfall is anticipated during early summer in most summer rainfall areas. However, towards mid-summer rainfall is expected to be below normal in the central and western parts of the country. Above normal rainfall is anticipated for the north eastern parts of the country during mid-summer. Temperatures are expected to be above normal countrywide. However, the seasonal forecast emphasizes caution as the El Niño effect might still influence the weather patterns thereby change the seasonal outlook for the mid and late summer. Farmers are encouraged to continually monitor these conditions through the extended weather forecast for short-term to medium-term planning.

As Agri SA prepares for the retirement of chief executive officer, Christo van der Rheede, incoming chief executive officer Johann Kotze has come on board full-time to continue to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Christo will remain at the helm of affairs until Agri SA’s upcoming congress on 12 and 13 October 2023, whereafter he will officially hand over to the new chief executive officer.

Senwes announced today, in the wake of the recent devastating fires in the North West, Free State, and Northern Cape, that it is donating half a million rand to Agri SA's Disaster Relief Fund to provide relief to those in need.

Agri SA is deeply concerned about the devastating impact of ongoing fire outbreaks in the Free State, North West and Northern Cape provinces. The fires have affected an area of over 400 000 hectares, resulting in the loss of grazing and various livestock, such as sheep, cattle and wildlife that either burnt to death or had to be euthanised.

In June, the south and south-western areas of the country received above-normal rainfall while most of the central and northern regions received below-normal rainfall (Figure 1). July received a mixture of normal to below-normal rainfall in most parts of the country (Figure 2). However, some eastern parts of the country as well as southern Free State and parts of the Eastern Cape received above normal rainfall. Mid-August was dry as below-normal rainfall was recorded countrywide (Figure 3). For the season July 2022 – June 2023, near normal rainfall was received over much of the country with above normal rainfall only over the southern parts of Free State, eastern parts of Eastern Cape as well as parts of Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces (Figure 4). ZF Mgcawu District Municipality of the Northern Cape received below-normal rainfall.

Agri SA welcomes today’s launch of the Agro Energy Fund by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza. The fund was first announced by Minister Didiza in the budget vote delivered in May 2023.

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in an El Niño state and according to the latest predictions is expected to persist through most of the summer months. ENSO’s typical impact on Southern Africa is in favour for generally drier and warmer conditions during the summer seasons from October to March. Current global forecasts indicate a great deal of uncertainty for the typical drier conditions that South Africa experiences during an El Niño.

Agri SA will be making a submission to Parliament which demonstrates the negative impact of the national minimum wage on the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector. Unless the increases of the minimum wage in the agricultural sector are aligned with inflation, there is a real risk of the agricultural sector contracting with devastating effects for employment in the sector.

The board of the Agri Securitas trust fund is pleased to announce the disbursement of R1,9 million to 29 farmer associations and provincial affiliations to help fund rural safety projects around the country.

“The Trust Fund joins forces with farming communities through local farmer associations to make them safer. The safety of rural communities is one of the central pillars in creating prosperous rural economies. Safer communities are the only way to maintain sustainable food systems, to advance food security and build a prosperous South Africa” said Cobus van Zyl, Chair, Agri Securitas trust fund.