The recent Agri North West Annual Congress addressed a critical question: what kind of support network can South African farmers truly rely on today?
Held at the ATKV Buffelspoort resort on 3 September 2026, the event delivered a resounding and unified message from every keynote speaker: South Africa’s farmers are not alone, and a robust network of organised agriculture stands firmly behind them.
A unified front
The tone of spiritual and community resilience was set by Reverend Willem Badenhorst of the Missio Dei Ministry. He reminded attendees that while the pressures of modern farming can breed isolation, farmers do not face these trials by themselves, pointing to divine support and the collective strength found in standing together.
Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt, president of Agri SA, reinforced this message with a clear strategic framework. He presented a graphic representation mapping out the intricate support structures responding to the agricultural business environment across three distinct tiers:
- Micro level: Direct support for the individual farmer;
- Meso level: Guidance through specialised industry and commodity organisations;
- Macro level: Navigating the broader national agri-economy.
Adding to the positive tone of the congress, former Proteas cricketer Fanie de Villiers delivered a heart-warming and engaging talk. De Villiers drew parallels with sport, emphasising how vital structured systems, active mentorship, and proactive skill development are to achieving ambitious goals.
Government pledges action
The event featured a keynote address from Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp, who aligned his vision directly with the congress theme. ‘I’m not standing alone, because I’m being supported by this incredible network of organised agriculture,’ said Aucamp, emphasising that the state relies heavily on critical partnerships with agricultural organisations such as Agri North West, Grain South Africa, Transvaal Agricultural Union (TLU), and Agri SA.
“The bottom line is that the government can’t do it alone. We need partners. If we work together, and if the government shows that it really wants to do its part, we can fix a lot of things,” said Aucamp.
Acknowledging the sector’s mounting hurdles, Aucamp added: “Neither I as minister, a single organisation such as Agri North West, nor an individual farmer possess the ability to solve our shared challenges independently. Success can only be achieved through collective action.’
Aucamp committed to shifting attitudes within his department to streamline regulations, noting that “regulations should be there to empower a farmer, not make things difficult and cause more frustration.”
Policy priorities
The minister highlighted several immediate policy goals and interventions:
- Export markets: Aucamp announced a visit to China to finalise South Africa’s first-ever cherry export protocol, alongside ongoing negotiations with India to ease citrus export requirements. He noted that the best cherries in the world are produced in SA, “and now we will sell them to the biggest market in the world.”
- Farm security: Aucamp is advocating at Cabinet level to have farm attacks, murders, and stock theft declared priority crimes. He also promised to pressure the Minister of Finance to make private farm security expenses tax-deductible.
- Biosecurity and FMD: Aucamp encouraged farmers to proactively vaccinate their herds against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). He noted that while vaccinating a herd of 1 000 cattle costs roughly R45 000, it equates to the price of just three weaned calves - a relatively small price to save a herd. Plans are underway to establish FMD-free export zones in regions of the country where FMD is already under control, specifically to serve the Chinese market.
- Climate resilience: Aucamp urged farmers to stay resilient ahead of the approaching El Niño weather pattern. He noted that modern seed technology is far more resilient than it was a decade ago, and announced that the department is developing an early-warning system to alert farmers several days in advance of periods of extreme heat. He sought to reassure producers by reminding them that they had got through devastating weather patterns before, expressing absolute confidence in their proven ability to plan ahead and successfully navigate the upcoming El Niño.
Practical support
Agri North West president Daan van der Merwe and general manager Naudé Pienaar outlined how organised agriculture translates representation into practical, farm-level support. Pienaar highlighted key operational successes, including resolving errors on Eskom accounts, managing prospecting and mining applications, and expanding the provincial safety desk.
Van der Merwe praised the Agri North West management team’s communication strategy, which successfully drew 105 new members to the organisation, revived two struggling farmers’ associations, and established three entirely new ones.
He also touched on the “enormous crisis” of illegal mining activities in the North West. To combat this, Agri NW, among other initiatives, collaborated with an environmental advocate (whose name is withheld for her safety) to launch a specialised mobile app, allowing farmers to quickly lodge official objections against illegal operations.
Addressing broader infrastructure, Van der Merwe labelled the state of South African roads a “national disgrace” and urged the minister to break down government silos.
“The roughly 2 000 farmers in the North West currently provide food to approximately 15 to 20 million people a year,” Van der Merwe confirmed, questioning why producers bear such a heavy burden when risking so much to guarantee food security.
Leadership and recognition
The congress got underway with a well-managed process of nominations and election of the key leadership roles. Two special honorary awards were also presented.
Elected Leadership Team:
- President: Daan van der Merwe (re-elected);
- Vice-president: Sarel Pretorius (also appointed to head the newly established Agri NW Safety Desk);
- Newly elected vice-presidents: André Strydom and ‘Lang’ Daan van der Merwe;
- Young Farmer Committee: Nelius Beyers (re-elected as chairperson) and Philip Buys (re-elected as vice-chairperson).
Honorary Awards:
- Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt received an honorary award for exemplary leadership and his contribution to organised agriculture, acknowledging his transition from provincial president (2018–2025) to his current role as Agri SA president. The award recognised his excellence as a producer, focusing heavily on modern production systems and promoting long-term food security;
- Marlize Fritz, a dedicated functionary at the Agri North West head office in Lichtenburg, was awarded the prestigious Honour Trophy in recognition of her exceptional contribution, commitment, and tireless work for the province’s agricultural community.
Farmers demand action
The event wrapped up with an open Q&A session in which farmers put pressing questions directly to Aucamp, De Chavonnes Vrugt, Pienaar, and Van der Merwe. Questions spanned border biosecurity with cattle imports from Botswana, failing rail networks, poorly managed state land, title deed backlogs, and rural policing.
While Aucamp acknowledged that the state lacks the resources to simply subsidise agriculture out of these issues, his openness to explore tax relief for services farmers pay for themselves – such as private security – was welcomed.
The takeaway from the floor was clear: South Africa’s farmers want fewer vague promises and more practical, immediate solutions to the everyday challenges threatening their businesses.
