South Africa needs a bold, export-driven strategy to boost agricultural production, according to agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo.
In a blog article first published in Business Day, Sihlobo said the global trade environment was changing and marked by geopolitical uncertainties. Policy makers had to “do things differently” to increase agricultural exports, and could not simply rely on past successes.
South Africa was ranked 32nd on the global agricultural export list, and was the only African country in the top 40.
“Currently, the African continent accounts for 40% of South Africa’s agricultural exports, with the EU making up nearly 20% and the UK making up about 7%. These impressive numbers represent the efforts we made in the past.
“Yet, we cannot be complacent if we want to sustain our edge. There is nothing currently that we are doing on the global front that suggests we are inventing a better future.,” Sihlobo wrote.
Calling for a “relentless focus on widening our export markets”, he urged a “refreshed trade strategy”, especially to broaden the footprint in Asia and the Middle East.
“We need to immediately refresh and implement the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, which proposes plans for various commodities and interests and seeks to achieve export growth,” he said.
“This would also bring a sense of urgency and coherence to South Africa’s seriousness in strengthening its export-led growth in agriculture.”
