South Africa’s presidency of the G20 group of countries could be a defining moment for the country’s agricultural sector, according to agricultural economist Thulasizwe Mkhabela.
Writing in Business Report, Mkhabela said the benefits could last long after South Africa’s “year in the spotlight”. The year-long leadership position started last December.
“The G20 presidency is a once-in-a-generation opportunity – not just for politicians and diplomats, but for farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities. It’s a chance to open new markets, drive sustainability, and build a more inclusive agricultural economy that leaves no farmer behind,” he said.
“But opportunity alone isn’t enough – it must be seized. South Africa’s agricultural leaders, industry associations, and policymakers must work together to ensure agriculture is at the heart of South Africa’s G20 agenda.”
South Africa’s agricultural success was “often a tale of two worlds”, Mkhabela wrote – a highly developed, export-oriented commercial sector, and a struggling smallholder sector on the margins of the economy.
“Under its G20 presidency, South Africa should advocate for policies that foster access to markets, finance, and technology for smallholder farmers, with a particular focus on women and youth.”
An inclusive agricultural sector could generate employment, alleviate rural poverty, and enhance food security, benefiting both South Africa and the continent.
Mkhabela noted the “increasingly strained relations” with the United States, and the risk of South Africa losing its trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
“But this is also where the G20 presidency offers an opportunity – to reframe South Africa not as a geopolitical pawn, but as a constructive global player. By leading on critical global issues – from climate action to food security – South Africa can demonstrate that its value to the global economy transcends politics.
“Smart, pragmatic diplomacy will be essential to balancing our non-aligned stance with the need to maintain economic ties to the world’s largest economy,” he said.
