The advantage of hosting global events such as the G20 is the possibility for the host country to engage as many visitors as possible. On November 21, 2025, the South African leadership met with the Australian government for a broader conversation and deepening relations.
We do not typically think of Australia when we think of trade in South African agriculture. However, we have decent trade in other sectors, such as the automotive industry, and investments across the economy.
Our agricultural sectors are more similar. Still, there remains much room for collaboration between our countries in a range of areas that could further boost our agricultural sectors. What follows are some broad thoughts about some aspects we could work on collectively with Australia.
One area we can draw on from the Australian experience, which is urgent for us in South Africa, is biosecurity. We are currently struggling with foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa’s livestock industry, and a collaboration with Australia in this area would be valuable.
Moreover, during my visit to Australia in September 2025, one of the key learnings was the effective collaboration between the private sector and the government. Their work on climate-smart agricultural practices, biosecurity (animal and plant health), and cooperation with the private sector on advancing research. These are all the areas that apply to South Africa’s agriculture and would further propel the growth of our farming economy.
How does Australia do it?
The Australian government equips farmers with sound research and pathways to reduce emissions and produce in more environmentally friendly ways. These are also vital to global agricultural trade in today’s environment. Australia exports over two-thirds of its agricultural produce; therefore, compliance with the requirements of its key markets remains vital.
Like Australia, South Africa has an export-oriented agricultural sector, although smaller in value terms (roughly half of our agricultural products are exported). The practices of supporting various climate-smart agricultural research, improving biosecurity, and deepening trade research are areas where South Africa should increase its focus.
Fortunately, some of these matters are not far from our discussions at home. South Africa’s Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan already has some elements of such work.
What remains missing is the focus on implementing the plan, along with the release of the 2.5 million hectares of government-owned land with title deeds, which could be key for inclusive growth. The biosecurity matter remains a running theme, but not just about animal health; it is also key for plant health.
I mentioned the Master Plan because of its structure, which involves government and private sector participation. This is a strength of the Australian approach to agriculture, which we must focus on at home and ensure resources and implementation are in place across the many plans we have crafted.
In terms of research funding in Australia, its model has some similarities to South Africa’s. The farmers pay levies at a specific rate (as a percentage of the value or volume of their production). We see this in some commodities in South Africa.
However, in Australia, the government ensures that every dollar raised by farmers matches the amount they raise. The objective is to continuously boost Australia’s agricultural productivity and strengthen the country’s standing in global food production and trade.
Once the funds are raised, the government and industry share ideas on the research areas and build a common understanding of priorities.
South Africa’s agricultural ambition
In South Africa, we see agriculture as a sector that could drive our rural economic growth and job creation. This co-funding approach, which allows industry to have a significant say in research priorities, would support our objectives.
Indeed, unlike Australia, we remain “A Country of Two Agricultures“; therefore, some consideration must be given to issues of inclusivity. Still, the co-funded research would benefit both of these Two Agricultures.
Beyond funding, there is considerable scope for South Africa and Australia’s agriculture to collaborate, particularly on digitalisation, biosecurity, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
There are advancements in these areas in South Africa that Australian farmers can learn from, and that we can learn from as well.
Therefore, these high-level bilateral meetings between South African and Australian political leaders are essential in opening a pathway for more direct engagements at the departmental and industry levels.
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