South Africa's New Agricultural Era: 5 Key Policies Shaping Farming In 2025

The South African agricultural sector is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades, marked by a major departmental restructuring and the implementation of new, high-stakes legislation. As of late 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, now operating as a separate entity from the former Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) since April 1, 2025, is focused on driving economic growth, improving food security, and addressing historical land imbalances through a series of ambitious policies. This shift, coupled with the nation’s leadership role on the global stage, positions South African farming at a critical juncture, demanding immediate attention from farmers, investors, and policymakers.

The current political and legislative landscape, spearheaded by Minister John Henry Steenhuisen, has introduced several pivotal changes that redefine property rights, infrastructure investment, and technological adoption across the agri-food value chain. From navigating the controversial new Expropriation Act to championing the national Bioeconomy Strategy at the G20 level, the Ministry's agenda is packed with initiatives designed to revitalize the sector. Understanding these five key policy shifts is essential for anyone involved in South African agriculture in the current climate.

The Minister of Agriculture: Mr. John Henry Steenhuisen Biography

The leadership of the newly separated Department of Agriculture (DoA) is held by Minister John Henry Steenhuisen, a prominent figure in South African politics whose appointment reflects a significant cabinet reorganisation following the 2024 elections.

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• Full Name: John Henry Steenhuisen
• Date of Birth: March 25, 1976
• Place of Birth: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
• Education: Attended Northwood School in Durban.
• Political Party: Democratic Alliance (DA).
• Current Role: Minister of Agriculture (since July 3, 2024).
• Key Political Roles: Leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament (2019-2024) and current Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA). His appointment to the Agriculture portfolio was a key outcome of the cabinet deal following the 2024 election.
• Early Career: Showed an interest in politics from a young age, serving as Branch Chairperson for Ward 36 in Durban North in his late teens.

Minister Steenhuisen's tenure is expected to focus on promoting agricultural sustainability, addressing infrastructure deficits, and ensuring the sector remains a competitive global exporter. His political background, rooted in the Democratic Alliance, suggests a strong emphasis on private property rights and market-driven solutions, even as he navigates the complex issues of land reform and rural development.

1. Navigating the 2024 Expropriation Act and Land Reform

One of the most impactful legislative developments in 2025 is the Expropriation Act No. 13 of 2024, which was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2025. This Act is central to South Africa's ongoing Land Redistribution Programme, which aims to redress historical injustices and foster economic stability.

The Act provides a clear legal framework for the government to acquire private property for public purposes or in the public interest. Crucially, it has become a flashpoint in the agricultural community because it allows for land seizure with "nil" or "less than market value" compensation under specific, defined circumstances.

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Agricultural trade organisations, such as AgriSA, have voiced significant concerns that the Act introduces political and investment uncertainty, potentially destabilising the sector which is largely structured around private property rights. The Ministry of Agriculture is tasked with implementing this law while simultaneously assuring the investment community and commercial farmers of the sector's long-term sustainability. The progress of land reform remains a key measure of the government's success in achieving social equity and economic growth.

2. Championing the G20 Bioeconomy Strategy (GIB)

South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in 2025 has placed the nation at the forefront of global agricultural innovation, with a specific focus on the Bioeconomy. The Bioeconomy Strategy is a major priority for the Ministry, seeking to harness biological resources to produce goods, services, and energy, thereby driving economic growth and sustainability.

The country hosted the third G20 Initiative for Bioeconomy (GIB) meeting in Tshwane and Pretoria in September 2025, building on the national strategy first adopted in 2013. This initiative is a critical policy pillar for the DoA, aiming to:

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• Accelerate Bio-based Innovations: Promoting the use of biotechnology and bio-based products in farming and agro-processing.
• Drive Sustainable Development: Aligning agricultural practices with global climate goals, including preparations for COP30.
• Enhance Global Collaboration: Strengthening ties with G20 partners to formalise governance and secure investment in the bioeconomy sector.

This focus positions South Africa as a continental leader in sustainable agriculture, opening new avenues for research, development, and international trade, particularly in high-value bio-based exports.

3. The Agricultural and Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP) for Infrastructure

The Agricultural and Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP) is the Ministry's primary vehicle for revitalising the sector's physical and economic foundations. Central to the AAMP is the Revitalisation of the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Value Chain (RAAVC), a comprehensive plan designed to address decades of underinvestment and decay in rural infrastructure.

The strategic plan for 2025/26–2029/30 prioritises several key areas:

• Infrastructure Revitalisation: Focusing on key strategic infrastructure projects (SIPs) to improve logistics, storage, and market access for agricultural products. This includes upgrading irrigation schemes, rural roads, and cold chain logistics [cite: 10 in previous step].
• Value Chain Support: Providing targeted support to smallholder farmers to integrate them into commercial value chains and support industrialisation efforts in rural areas [cite: 18 in previous step].
• Biosecurity and Trade: Streamlining the policy and legislative framework to improve sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) activities, which is vital for maintaining and expanding export markets like those facilitated by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) [cite: 3, 18 in previous step]. South Africa’s major export products benefiting from AGOA include mandarins and oranges.

The successful implementation of the AAMP is crucial for improving agricultural production volumes and ensuring the long-term competitiveness of South African crops, including summer grains and oilseeds, whose planting intentions are closely monitored by the Ministry [cite: 8 in previous step, 16 in previous step].

4. Focus on Digital Farming and Water Security

In 2025, the Ministry is increasingly integrating technology and innovation into its policy framework to combat climate change effects, particularly water scarcity. South Africa's climate variability and frequent drought conditions necessitate a shift toward precision agriculture.

A key focus area involves accelerating the adoption of smart irrigation technologies. The Ministry forecasts that over 60% of South African farms are expected to adopt these water-efficient systems by the end of 2025. This initiative is supported by the broader goal of improving Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standards and ensuring sustainable resource management across the more than 30 different crops cultivated in the country. This technological push is essential for maintaining high yields and securing the nation's food supply against environmental pressures.

5. Strengthening International Trade and Market Access

The Ministry of Agriculture continues to place a high premium on strengthening international partnerships to secure market access for South African agricultural exports. In September 2025, for instance, the DoA held high-level discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation with Japan, focusing on trade, technology transfer, and biosecurity protocols [cite: 6 in previous step].

This proactive diplomacy is critical to offsetting challenges such as bearish local corn prices and maintaining the country's position as a reliable global supplier [cite: 16 in previous step]. By focusing on biosecurity and trade agreements, the Ministry aims to:

• Expand Export Destinations: Ensuring continued access to lucrative markets in the EU, US (via AGOA), and Asia.
• Manage Commodity Price Volatility: Providing stability for producers of key commodities like corn and oilseeds.
• Attract Foreign Direct Investment: Showcasing the sector's stability and growth potential despite domestic policy challenges like the Expropriation Act.

The combination of domestic revitalisation plans (AAMP) and aggressive international trade efforts ensures that the South African agricultural sector remains a vital engine for the nation's economy, driving rural employment and supporting the broader national goal of economic transformation.