The meeting offered insight and dialogue with BASF’s international leadership on the company’s regional strategy.
Speaking at the event, Gustavo Palerosi Carneiro, senior vice-president of BASF Agricultural Solutions for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) said farmers’ production ‘toolboxes’ are being steadily reduced by climate volatility, pests, weeds, and diseases.
“Farmers are relying on existing chemistry ‘the toolbox’ and it is [BASF’s] mission and purpose to ensure they have these tools to manage climate volatility, pests, weeds, and disease, in order to make farming profitable and ensure everything they invest in pays off at the end of the season,” he told Farmer’s Weekly.
Dr Murat Ayaz, vice-president of BASF Agricultural Solutions EMEA South, outlined BASF’s sustainability commitments, which include climate-smart farming, the development of sustainable crop solutions, innovative digital farming technologies, and responsible product stewardship.
He emphasised that BASF’s customer-centric approach extends beyond relationships to delivering solutions that improve agricultural resilience.
BASF has maintained a long-standing presence in South Africa, with agriculture remaining one of the company’s strategic priorities.
“Our commitment is demonstrated through continued portfolio expansion, local teams, farmer support, and long-term partnerships, not short-term market cycles. We are here for the long run and see Africa, and specifically South Africa, as the catalyst for growth,” Ayaz said.
Strengthening local farming
According to Dr David Leiño Calleja, country manager for BASF South Africa, the company’s South African investments will focus on innovation, stewardship, and skills development.
“We invest where we can create value for farmers and food systems. We cannot control weather events, but we can support resilience by providing tools that protect yields under stress, climate-smart practices, agronomic advice, and innovations that help farmers recover faster,” he said.
These investments include the launch of innovative products such as Revysol, BASF’s broad-spectrum isopropanol-azole fungicide, as well as strengthening local expertise and stewardship programmes.
BASF recently announced the creation of a new legal entity dedicated exclusively to its agricultural business. Carneiro explained that the restructuring will allow the company to better integrate seed and traits, crop protection, biological solutions, and digital farming.
“We expect that by the end of 2026, the legal structures will be in place, and in 2027, we will enter the initial public offering stage. By doing this, we believe we’ll be able to focus even more on our customers and allocate our research and development [R&D] investment to the most appropriate areas,” he added.
The go-live date for the new entity in South Africa is expected to be 1 January 2027.
Ambitions for Africa’s agricultural future
During a panel discussion, BASF leaders were asked to share their visions for the future of agriculture in Africa. The speakers were joined by local BASF management partners, Sean Brereton-Stiles, BASF head of marketing for South and Southern Africa, and Duan Viljoen, head of sales for the region.
Carneiro said his hope is for agriculture to drive prosperity and social equality across the continent.
“My dream is that South Africa and Africa will bring more prosperity to smallholder farmers, and that agriculture will become a flourishing industry supporting development, producing more affordable food, and becoming increasingly sustainable,” he explained.
Ayaz highlighted the importance of exports as a growth lever for the continent.
“We have a responsibility to Africa, especially in terms of food supply. My dream is that South Africa will be the lighthouse for the continent; a role model whose success can be replicated across Africa to create prosperity.”
Calleja echoed this sentiment, emphasising South African farmers’ resilience.
“My dream is to equip the farmer of tomorrow. I meet a lot of farmers from all over the world, and from my experience, the resilience of the South African farmer is unprecedented.
“By equipping these professionals to the best of our ability, South Africa can truly become the lighthouse for the continent.”
Brereton-Stiles said his vision centred on access: “My dream is to provide a wide range of tools that farmers can access to protect their crops, maintain food security, and remain profitable and sustainable.”
Viljoen concluded by highlighting the emotional connection many have to farming.
“Seeing two or three generations on a farm is a beautiful thing. My dream is that future generations can continue farming and that BASF can keep playing its part in supporting farmers so that legacy can continue,” he said.
@farmersweeklysa Farmers’ production ‘toolboxes’ are being steadily reduced by climate volatility, pests, weeds, and diseases. This was according to Gustavo Palerosi Carneiro, senior vice-president of BASF Agricultural Solutions for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). He was speaking at BASF South Africa’s industry engagement session in Pretoria on 4 February 2026. “Farmers are relying on existing chemistry – the toolbox – and it is [BASF’s] mission and purpose to ensure they have these tools to manage climate volatility, pests, weeds, and disease, in order to make farming profitable and ensure everything they invest in pays off at the end of the season,” he said. Video by Jedrie Harmse #FarmersWeeklySA #agriculturetiktok #BASF #farmingforthefuture ♬ Education, science, technology, quiet(855385) – zomap
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