The new week marked a significant milestone as South Africa assumed the presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) and took the helm of the Business 20 (B20), the official private sector engagement group of the G20. SA agriculture is ready to drive sustainable growth and food security opportunities that this offers.
“This leadership position presents an exciting opportunity for South African agriculturists to shape critical business dialogues under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” says Johann Kotzé, Agri SA chief executive officer.
The G20 comprises 19 countries and two bodies, the African Union and the European Union. B20 South Africa (B20SA) aims to forge meaningful partnerships that drive inclusive growth across diverse economies.
“In 2023, agricultural trade between South African agriculture and the G20 market amounted to R134 billion or 55% of total agricultural exports. Central to the discussion should be the impact of climate adaptation, net-zero transition plans, and the embedding of sustainability requirements into trade conditions,” says Kotzé. “South African agriculturists are already committed to farming nature positively and have an intuitive awareness of climate adaptation and environmental impact. In many value chains, there are various standards that cover various sustainability factors that we should use as mechanisms to further bolster our efforts and demonstrate our existing progress to further greening agriculture.”
According to Kotzé South Africa is by no means perfect in its efforts, but it is critical that the country remains mindful of how transition plans affect the sustainability of the African food system as well as the future of food in the G20 markets.
He urges that agriculture needs to strengthen market access. Exports play a significant role in the sustainability of our food system and create vital employment opportunities in rural communities.
“It’s not just about access, we need to address the various non-tariff issues that exports often face such as cold treatment and packaging requirements,” Kotzé says. “In the case of the livestock industry, acknowledging the role that certain treatment and compartment protocols fulfil in managing animal health challenges is critical.
Lastly, the platform should be used to enhance investment confidence in the broader South African economy and stress the role that South African agriculture can play in regional food security. “We have an opportunity to build a pipeline of impactful investments and opportunities that can contribute to the growth of the African continent.”
As South Africa prepares to set forth its agenda, AgriSA calls for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to develop actionable priorities that align with the broader G20 objectives.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Johann Kotzé, AgriSA CEO
jfk@agrisa.org.za
