House Chairperson, the ACDP underscores the role of the Department of Agriculture as central to food security, rural development, and economic growth. Yet, while the department outlines commitments to farmer support, biosecurity, and market access, the current allocation of some R7.84 billion reflects a concerning decline and falls short of addressing the structural constraints facing the sector.
The ACDP welcomes the increase in employment in the agricultural sector and the great strides made in the citrus export market.
A primary concern of the ACDP is the insufficient support for smallholder and emerging farmers. Despite policy commitments to inclusivity, access to finance, extension services, and reliable markets remains uneven. Many rural farmers still lack the infrastructure and technical support needed to scale production, limiting agriculture’s potential to reduce poverty and unemployment.
Equally pressing is the state of biosecurity and disease management. The ACDP was scathing in its criticism of the Minister’s handling of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, as it has exposed serious gaps in surveillance and response systems. Delays at Onderstepoort Biological Products, and weak border controls, further compound the risk to both food supply and export markets. Proposals such as a coordinated national vaccination programme, with greater private sector veterinary involvement, must be urgently considered.
The ACDP bemoans the infrastructure deficits which continue to undermine productivity. Inadequate irrigation, storage, and transport logistics contribute to post-harvest losses and constrain market access. At the same time, the variability of weather patterns is intensifying these challenges, while weather-resilient agricultural interventions remain underfunded and fragmented.
Governance challenges in this Department persist, including 147 critical vacancies within the department, weak coordination across entities, and limited monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. These shortcomings reduce the overall impact of public spending and delay implementation.
To make this budget work, the ACDP calls for the expanding of targeted support to smallholder farmers, investing decisively in biosecurity systems, and prioritising critical rural infrastructure. Additionally, resilient, adaptable agriculture must be scaled up, and institutional capacity improved through filling vacancies and enhancing coordination.
As Kingdom builders the ACDP asserts that without credible oversight and effective disease control, South Africa cannot secure food sovereignty or drive inclusive growth. Agriculture is not optional – it is foundational. Quite simply: no farmers, no food.
