Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly after receiving the award, 40-year-old Hutton-Squire said he felt confident after the judging process because he had tangible results to show for his efforts.
“The farm visit with the judges went well, and I thought I had a chance because I had something to show for the work we’ve done. But you never know for sure,” he said.
Over the past few years, the volume of fruit sent to market from the orchards under his management has increased substantially, an achievement that earned him the Kromco Young Farmer of the Year Award for 2025.
For Hutton-Squire, long-term farming success depends on mastering the fundamentals before chasing the latest innovations.
“We are easily distracted by new technologies and innovations, but if you don’t get the basics right, these won’t make a meaningful difference,” he explained.
He added that winning the provincial title will provide opportunities to learn from other producers and give him a platform to inspire fellow young farmers.
At the gala event, Dennis Geldenhuys, business development manager at Santam Agri, said agriculture is not just a job but a calling, given the resilience and long-term commitments it demands in the face of droughts, storms, rising input costs, and difficult market conditions.
He added that young farmers are critical to agriculture’s future because they bring fresh ideas, new technologies, and renewed energy to the sector.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer described local producers as world-class competitors.
“South African farmers are punching well above their weight. They receive far less support than many of their counterparts in Europe and the US, yet they remain internationally competitive in terms of efficiency, quality, and production volumes,” he said.
Outgoing national and provincial Young Farmer of the Year, Francois Rossouw, said the competition reinforces the importance of collaboration between farmers, organised agriculture, government, and the private sector in building a resilient and sustainable future for the sector.
He added that it also opens doors to valuable learning opportunities and has helped him build stronger relationships across the sector.
According to Rossouw, the next generation of farmers is already demonstrating the innovation, determination, and leadership needed to tackle agriculture’s growing challenges.
“I am optimistic about the future of agriculture, not because I think the challenges will become smaller but because I believe the next generation of farmers is ready to meet them,” he said.
