By Akani Nkuna
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has highlighted the need for increased market access for small-scale farmers to ensure their long-term success, drive economic prosperity and food security.
“We need to focus on market accessing, and that is the whole thrust of agriculture and agro-processing master plan that is being adopted by the department as the blueprint going forward,” he said.
Steenhuisen was speaking during a panel discussion on safeguarding global agriculture and food security at South Africa House at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“The goal of the agriculture and agro-processing master plan is to move people from subsistence into smallholder [farming]. That can only happen through market access and value chain that is why we have adopted the round table model with agriculture and agro-processing master plan,” said Steenhuisen.
He emphasised that the Agriculture Department was trying to bridge the gap by bringing together the agricultural sector, organised farming groups and market stakeholders to create a comprehensive support system.
“More-so because simply providing land, tools, and seeds is not enough; we must also ensure that smallholder farmers have access to markets and the value chain, enabling them to sell their produce and sustain their livelihoods,” he added.
Gauteng economic development and finance MEC Lebogang Maile
reaffirmed the province’s commitment to empowering emerging farmers by providing essential resources, including access to agriculture inputs and state-owned machinery.
“The goal is to enhance productivity and help farmers transition to commercial markets,” he said.
“Gauteng processes 35% of the continent’s food, making it Africa’s leading agro-processing hub. Agricultural products from the continent, particularly middle Africa and SADC regions, are processed in Gauteng for local and international markets,” he added.
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