100 Years on, SA’s agricultural extension services still growing communities

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen reaffirmed the government’s commitment to agricultural extension services, emphasising their critical role in inclusive rural development, food security and knowledge transfer.

He spoke at the centenary celebration of the establishment of formal agricultural extension services in SA, held at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on June 30.

The milestone coincided with the inaugural South African Agricultural Extension Week and the 58th Conference of the South African Society for Agricultural Extension (SASAE).

The conference theme was Leveraging innovation and technology to enhance extension and advisory services for sustainable agriculture, improved livelihoods and food security.

In his opening remarks, Steenhuisen highlighted the significance of the occasion.

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“This marks a century since the establishment of formal extension services in 1925 and a renewed commitment to ensuring agricultural extension remains at the heart of rural development, food security and knowledge transfer in our country,” he said.

The minister described agriculture as a cornerstone of SA’s economy and society, supporting rural livelihoods, employment and food security.

“However, it is the work of our extension practitioners that truly unlocks the potential of producers, particularly smallholders who rely on targeted support, innovation and advice,” he said.

Steenhuisen noted that extension officers deliver practical, tailored guidance that helps producers improve productivity, adopt sustainable practices, manage risk and access markets.

Their contribution supports the agricultural value chain, which accounts for roughly 12% of the national gross domestic product.

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The agricultural sector grew by 15.8% in the first quarter of 2025, a result the minister partly attributed to the work of extension practitioners.

To further strengthen support for smallholders, the Department of Agriculture is implementing the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion approach in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The minister said this market-oriented model is showing positive results, with 18 extension officers trained in Japan last year and 20 more scheduled to depart this October.

Steenhuisen also emphasised the department’s focus on supporting women, youth and persons with disabilities -groups that face persistent barriers in the sector.

“Let us make agriculture a career of choice for young people by showing them its range, from agritech and agro-processing to entrepreneurship and policy,” he said.

To help realise this, the department will employ 260 assistant agricultural practitioners this year to boost extension service delivery.

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The Farmer Field School initiative, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, will also expand beyond its current base in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Northern Cape to reach more farmers across SA.