This was one of the strongest themes emerging from a high-level plenary round table hosted by Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP), Grain SA’s farmer development agency, at NAMPO Harvest Day. PGP is the farmer development division of Grain SA. 

It focused on empowering developing farmers through mentorship, training, market integration, strategic partnerships and commercialisation support.

PGP works nationally to support farmers across different stages of development to build sustainable and commercially viable farming enterprises in South Africa.

Targeted support is needed to progress into commercial farming. Photo: Pexels

The aim was to bring together government leaders, private sector stakeholders and organised agriculture to address the barriers preventing developing farmers from transitioning into sustainable commercial agriculture.

“We are not here to discuss problems as we know them. We are here to dismantle the barriers preventing our farmers from upscaling,” said PGP vice chairperson, Thobani Ntonga.

PGP chairperson Jeremia Mathebula outlined the organisation’s farmer development model, which categorises farmers according to production levels and provides targeted support to help them progress into commercial farming.

Mathebula also announced PGP’s plan to identify and support five developing farmers per province over the next five years as part of a focused commercialisation programme. 

Long-standing PGP partner Bayer reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmer development through investment in mentorship, training and agricultural innovation.

Minister John Steenhuisen acknowledged current lease agreements continue to limit farmers’ ability to access funding and committed to advocating for faster title deed transfers for successful farmers operating on state-owned land.

‘Earned their stripes’

“Where farmers are successfully farming on state land, we should be giving those title deeds over to those farmers. They have earned their stripes,” said Steenhuisen.

He further acknowledged agriculture requires patient capital and financing models that understand the realities of farming operations, particularly for developing farmers facing high input costs and limited access to collateral.

PGP works nationally to support farmers in development and viable farming in South Africa. Photo: Pexels

Head of socio-economic development at Kagiso Trust, Quintin Naidoo, said while funding exists within the sector, many farmers still struggle with readiness requirements, business systems and access pathways needed to secure finance successfully.

Free State MEC, Elsabe Rockman, confirmed ongoing engagements with government departments and industry stakeholders to prioritise agricultural economic routes and improve rural infrastructure planning.

Progress

The round table further explored the role of technology, innovation and farmer training in improving productivity and sustainability.

The dialogue concluded with a strong call for accountability, collaboration and implementation-driven partnerships that can deliver measurable progress for developing farmers. 

OFM Agri/Isabel van Tonder dg

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