Limpopo AgriXpo to be a turning point
The Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba said in Limpopo, farming is not just an occupation, but a lifeline, a culture and the backbone of the provincial economy.
POLOKWANE – The Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba officially opened the Limpopo AgriXpo25 at The Ranch Resort last Thursday by quoting the saying in agriculture: “He who sows bountifully shall reap abundantly”.
“Today, we stand here not just as spectators but as cultivators of hope, champions of resilience and architects of a thriving agricultural future. The land is our heritage, the soil our wealth, and the harvest our legacy,” she reminded the audience.
Ramathuba emphasised that, in Limpopo, farming is not just an occupation, but a lifeline, a culture and the backbone of the provincial economy.
“It feeds our families, sustains our industries and strengthens our rural communities. But as every farmer knows, a good harvest does not come without toil, patience and adaptability to the changing seasons,” the premier added.
Ramathuba stated that agriculture remains a critical driver of the local economy and she explained that in 2024, the sector contributed approximately 2.3% to the provincial GDP and 7.6% of South Africa’s total agricultural output.
“Our province is home to some of the country’s most fertile land, producing a wide variety of crops, from citrus fruit, avocados and bananas to macadamia nuts, maize and tea. We are proud that Limpopo accounts for nearly two-thirds of South Africa’s tomato production and produces over 285 000 tons of potatoes annually. But herein lies the challenge, while we are rich in raw produce, we remain reliant on external processors,” Ramathuba added.
“Why should Limpopo tomatoes be processed into tomato sauce elsewhere when we can build factories right here, creating jobs and boosting local industries? The time has come for us to move beyond primary production and venture into value-added processing, ensuring that the full economic benefits of agriculture remain within our province,” the premier pleaded.
According to the premier, the evolving global political landscape, including ongoing discussions around the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), means that the country cannot afford to be solely dependent on international trade agreements for survival.
“While we remain hopeful that diplomatic negotiations will yield positive outcomes, this should serve as a wake-up call and we must diversify our markets, strengthen intra-African trade and focus on self-sufficiency. Our farmers must produce not just to export, but to feed our own people first. This means prioritising local production, improving infrastructure and creating a strong agricultural value chain that supports both commercial and emerging farmers,” she emphasised.
She appealled to financial institutions and agribusinesses to be the agents of change. “Support our emerging farmers with financial aid, technical training and access to markets. Without this support, their potential remains untapped and the fight against unemployment remains an uphill battle.”
Ramathuba quoted Charlotte Maxeke: “This work is not for yourselves. Kill that spirit of self and do not live above your people, but live with them. If you can rise, bring someone with you.”
She also pleaded that the AgriXpo must be more than just an event.
“It is supposed to be a platform for knowledge exchange, technological innovation and economic empowerment and as it brings together government, industry experts, commercial and emerging farmers, all working towards a common goal, it should create a sustainable, inclusive and thriving agricultural sector.”
“In alignment with the National Development Plan and Limpopo’s strategic agricultural vision, AgriXpo should accelerate transformation in agriculture – ensuring more farmers, especially women and youths, enter and succeed in the industry; inclusivity by providing small-scale farmers with equal opportunities to access markets and finance innovation and technology adoption by embracing mechanisation, precision farming, and agro-processing. Let this expo be a turning point for Limpopo agriculture. Let it be the foundation upon which we build a self-reliant, globally competitive farming sector,” the premier concluded.
