The finance MECs of assorted provinces not too long ago delivered their respective provincial budgets for the 2025/26 monetary yr, outlining allocations to the agriculture sector amid financial constraints.
KwaZulu-Natal’s funds and illness administration considerations
In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), agriculture and rural improvement obtained R2,757 billion, reflecting a marginal enhance of 1,7% from the earlier yr’s R2,608 billion. Nevertheless, considerations have been raised over the sector’s means to handle vital challenges such foot-and-mouth illness (FMD).
In an interview with Farmer’s Weekly, KZN MEC for agriculture, Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, acknowledged the difficulties posed by the funds constraints.
Jap Cape prioritises meals safety
Within the Jap Cape, Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko emphasised meals safety and the combat in opposition to malnutrition as key priorities for the provincial authorities. The province has allotted R269,2 million for its Meals Safety Programme in 2025/26 and R843,7 million over the Medium-Time period Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
“The provincial authorities will attempt to combat challenges of meals safety and malnutrition,” Mvoko mentioned.
The Jap Cape authorities plans to localise a good portion of agricultural meals worth chains, making certain larger entry to nutritious meals for rural communities.
Moreover, R75 million has been put aside over the 2025 MTEF for meals aid initiatives concentrating on weak households.
In 2024, Mvoko spoke in regards to the province’s potential to turn into South Africa’s meals basket, citing its robust place in livestock, milk, wool, and horticulture manufacturing.
“Over the sixth administration, we invested R11,5 billion in Agricultural Producer Assist, Veterinary Companies, and Agricultural Training and Coaching,” he mentioned.
Jap Cape MEC for agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, acknowledged financial constraints however expressed optimism about future agricultural progress.
“The financial and financial atmosphere didn’t enable the provincial authorities house for extra funding to virtually all departments,” Kontsiwe instructed Farmer’s Weekly.
“Nevertheless, we’re driving partnerships with agricultural stakeholders and leveraging funding alternatives to help smallholder farmers.”
Gauteng invests in agro-processing
In Gauteng, Finance MEC Lebogang Maile allotted R2 billion to the Division of Agriculture and Rural Growth over the MTEF, with R647,3 million particularly put aside for the 2025/26 monetary yr. The funds goals to revitalise agriculture by way of employment creation and agro-processing enlargement.
“The division will present technical and monetary help to small and medium agro-processing enterprises, enabling their commercialisation,” Maile mentioned throughout his funds speech.
Moreover, 5 blended financing devices can be launched, together with an agro-processing fund providing grants and loans to agripreneurs.
Gauteng MEC for agriculture, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, welcomed the funds however famous its limitations.
“The R647,3 million for the 2025/26 monetary yr will not be sufficient to totally meet our objectives, however it’s a step in the fitting course,” she mentioned.
“We acknowledge the significance of partnering with the non-public sector to speed up progress in commercialising small-scale farmers and creating sustainable jobs.”
Western Cape invests in sub-departments
In the meantime, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Financial Growth and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, allotted a funds of R1,021 billion for the 2025/2026 monetary yr.
“The Western Cape accounts for about 55 % of South Africa’s agricultural exports, and eight of the highest 10 export merchandise from the Western Cape have an agricultural basis”, he mentioned.
The funds included R161,1 million for administration, R143,9 million for sustainable useful resource use and administration, R305,6 million for agriculture producer help and improvement, R117,8 million for veterinary providers, R155,5 million for expertise and analysis improvement, R47,2 million for agricultural financial providers, R69,2 million for agricultural training and coaching, and R20,9 million for rural improvement.
“Agriculture can be essentially the most aggressive sector within the economies of every of the 5 rural districts, with tourism, which has robust agricultural foundations and is intently adopted because the second best sector,” he mentioned.
