Africa Harvest – South Africa
Africa Harvest – South Africa
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South Africa’s Diverse Agricultural Landscape: A Pillar of Rural Development and Food Security

South Africa’s agricultural sector is a dynamic and multifaceted engine of rural development, food security, and export earnings. While agriculture contributes approximately 2.8% to GDP, its broader impact is felt through employment, trade, and agro-industrial linkages.

South Africa spans over 96 million hectares of agricultural land, with 87% classified as permanent meadows and pastures, and 12.5% as arable land. This diversity enables a wide range of farming systems:

  • Our Vision

Africa free from Hunger, Poverty and Malnutrition.

  • Our Mission

To disseminate appropriate innovative agricultural technologies and institution approaches through the whole value chain to improve the livelihoods of rural communities.

Our Strategic Objectives

Africa Harvest is implementing a bold 5-year strategy (2023–2027) to reach 10 million beneficiaries across Africa, including South Africa, through programs that:
  1. Increase production and productivity of at least 10 food crops and livestock value chains across East Africa, West Africa, SADC, and Central Africa
  2. Enhance incomes for smallholder farmers by transforming agricultural market systems and influencing policy
  3. Boost resilience to climate change through sustainable farming practices and adaptive technologies
  4. Scale up innovative agricultural technologies and models to improve crop and animal productivity across the continent
  5. Establish a Technical Services Unit to provide training and capacity building for agricultural stakeholders
  6. Promote women and youth inclusion in agriculture through targeted programs, leadership development, and enterprise support

Employment & Economic Output

By the end of 2024, approximately 924,000 people, with an additional 200,000 worked in related value chains.

  • The sector generated R452 billion in gross revenue in 2023/24, despite a 5% decline in overall production.
  • Smallholder farmers, many cultivating less than 5 hectares represent a vital but underserved segment, especially in former homeland areas.
lady in a sorghum field

Strategic Partnerships

Africa Harvest collaborated with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), and the University of Pretoria on initiatives such as the Africa Bio-fortified Sorghum project. It has also explored agricultural opportunities in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.

Eastern Cape Collaboration

Partnered with the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) to enhance agricultural sustainability through Rural Enterprise Development (RED) Hubs. The RED Hubs model, active since 2014, continues to drive rural transformation via agro-processing in maize, sorghum, and dairy.

Our Solution – Advancing Agricultural Transformation in South Africa

Climate Resilience

Our programs integrate climate-smart technologies, resilient crop systems, and sustainable resource management to mitigate the impact of drought, soil degradation, and water scarcity.

Market and Infrastructure Development

By improving rural infrastructure, aggregation, and market connectivity, we create efficient pathways for farmers to reach competitive markets and increase profitability.

Capacity Building and Extension Support

We invest in human capital through targeted training, mentorship, and digital extension services, equipping farmers with modern agronomic and business skills.

Youth Employment and Agripreneurship

Amid rising youth unemployment, we position agriculture as a viable career by nurturing agripreneurs, creating job opportunities, and fostering innovation among young people.

Scaling Up Proven Technologies

Africa Harvest South Africa supports the scale-up of proven, locally adapted agricultural technologies by moving successful innovations from pilot and research stages to widespread adoption. Working with farmers, partners, and institutions, we strengthen delivery systems and build user capacity to ensure sustainable uptake. By focusing on evidence-based and farmer-tested solutions, Africa Harvest South Africa advances inclusive growth, food and nutrition security, and climate-smart agriculture across diverse production systems.

Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE)

Africa Harvest South Africa is committed to advancing Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) by promoting inclusive participation of black South Africans across agricultural value chains. Through strategic partnerships, skills development, enterprise support, and access to innovation and markets, we contribute to economic transformation and sustainable livelihoods. Our approach prioritises empowerment of smallholder farmers, youth, and women, ensuring that agricultural growth is equitable, competitive, and aligned with national transformation objectives.
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