Steenhuisen hails steady gains under Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan
South Africa’s agricultural sector shows consistent growth as collaborative efforts under the AAMP begin to yield results.
SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa’s Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP) is driving real progress across the farming sector, with new data showing rising production volumes and stronger collaboration among industry players.
According to the latest AAMP Progress Report, shared by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, agricultural production volumes have grown from 11 percent between 2015 and 2019 to 13 percent between 2019 and 2023.
The report credits the increase to the inclusivity and transformation goals set out in the master plan.
The data also points to remarkable growth in key crops. Maize production climbed from 34 to 65 percent, soya beans from 72 to 80 percent, and wheat from 17 to 53 percent.
Deciduous fruits improved from 17 to 49 percent, viticulture from 25 to 62 percent, and tomatoes from 8 to 94 percent over a three-year period.
Minister Steenhuisen shared these updates during the AAMP Executive Oversight Committee (EOC) meeting in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, on 7 October 2025.
The EOC, chaired by the minister, was formed after the signing of the AAMP by various stakeholders in May 2022.
“The Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan is a collective plan of action to achieve the National Development Plan’s vision for agriculture and agro-processing,” said Steenhuisen.
He reminded delegates that effective implementation remains key to progress, adding, “A good plan properly executed today is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”
Steenhuisen emphasized that agriculture remains vital to the country’s economy and food security. “South Africa’s agricultural future will be determined by how well we work together,” he said.
“If we maintain the unity and resolve we have shown in this room, then the growth targets we have set, another 12 to 15 percent in the coming years, are not only achievable, they are within our grasp.”
The AAMP’s structure brings together government, business, labour, and civil society. It operates through Value Chain Round Tables (VCRTs) and production schemes that act as delivery platforms, co-chaired by representatives from both government and the private sector.
Continued Call for Support
Steenhuisen urged all partners to remain committed, calling for constructive engagement to tackle challenges facing the sector. “We must continue to find solutions together,” he said, noting that inclusive participation is critical to building a fair and sustainable agricultural system.
He also reaffirmed his ministry’s dedication to supporting initiatives that promote equality and open opportunities. “I will continue to support interventions that advocate for equality in terms of opportunities and inclusivity for a viable agricultural sector,” Steenhuisen stated.
As South Africa’s agricultural landscape continues to expand, the AAMP stands as a key framework linking productivity, cooperation, and transformation, showing that with shared effort, meaningful growth is within reach.
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