Organisations Supporting Agriculture in South Africa

Farmers may voluntarily be part of organised agricultural structures through local farmers’ associations and/or through commodity organisations.

At grassroots level, commercial farmers are members of their local farmers’ associations, through which they address local agricultural issues and liaise with officials and organisations on matters concerning their members. The farmers’ associations delegate members to represent them in their respective provincial agricultural unions. The provincial agricultural unions address matters affecting farmers in the province as a whole and liaise with higher organisations. The provincial agricultural unions in turn delegate members to represent them on national bodies.

Included in the category of Organised Agriculture are the commodity organisations which serve and represent farmers producing a specific commodity, e.g. maize, beef, cotton. Some of the organizations supporting farmers in SA are:

African Farmers' Association of South Africa (AFASA)

AFASA is a body of African farmers that aims to commercialise the developing agricultural sector and ensure meaningful participation of black people in the mainstream commercial agribusiness sector. For more information, visit www.afasa.za.org

Agri SA

A federation of agricultural organisations, Agri SA was established in 1904 as the South African Agricultural Union and consists of several provincial and commodity organisations. Through its affiliated membership, it represents a diverse grouping of farmers. Agri SA’s policy advocacy includes work on trade negotiations, industrial policy, taxation, financing, land reform, labour laws, training, farmer development, environmental affairs, water rights and water pricing, other input-related issues, farm safety, law and order, infrastructure, technology development and transfer, statistical information and local government.

For more information, visit: www.agrisa.co.za

National African Farmers’ Union (NAFU)

• The National African Farmers’ Union (NAFU) was established in 1991 with the aim of creating a "home" for thousands of black farmers who had previously been excluded from the mainstream of agriculture.
• At the time of its formation there was no black farmer organisation operating at national level in South Africa. Between 1979 and 1991 the only organisation which attempted to address the needs of black farmers at national level was NAFCOC. This organisation eventually facilitated the formation of the National African Farmers’ Union.
• The historical issues associated with the poor state of agriculture among black South Africans are well documented. Inter alia, the following factors handicapped black farmers:
• Black people could not buy land within the borders of South Africa. They were confined by law to the homelands which are known to have marginal agricultural potential. Over-population in these areas resulted in the degradation of the environment and in widespread poverty.
• Lack of funding resulting from misdirected policies as well as from inadequate land tenure.
• Inadequate extension services and training.
• Inaccessible markets.

The broad aims of NAFU are:

• To lobby for policy reforms aimed at levelling the field in all agricultural matters with particular reference to land acquisition, agricultural funding, market access and public policy
• To lobby for the provision of appropriate services e.g. extension, marketing and credit to members
• To facilitate the provision of training
• To empower women and young people so as to enable them to participate fully in farming activities.

The Executive Director, NAFU, P O Box 9624, Centurion 0046.

President: Mr Motsepe Matlala.

Tel (012) 672 9301. Fax: 012-6729309.

The Agricultural Research Council

The Agricultural Research Council is a public entity that conducts research with partners, develops human capital and fosters innovation to support and develop the agricultural sector. It was established in 1990 and is the principal agricultural research institution in South Africa. Its core mandate is to conduct research, drive research and development, drive technology development and the transfer of information to promote agriculture, contribute to a better quality of life, ensure natural resource conservation and alleviate poverty.

For more information, visit www.arc.agric.za

Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS)

PLAAS undertakes research on land and agrarian reform, poverty and natural resource management in South Africa and the southern African region.

For more information, visit www.plaas.org.za