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The New Era Of South African Agriculture: 5 Key Priorities Under Minister John Steenhuisen

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The South African agricultural landscape has undergone its most significant structural change in decades, ushering in a new era of focused policy and political accountability. As of December 22, 2025, the man steering this crucial sector is Minister John Henry Steenhuisen, whose appointment in the mid-2024 Cabinet reorganisation was a cornerstone of the newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU). This pivotal shift saw the historically combined Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) split into two distinct ministries, a move designed to unshackle the agricultural sector and allow it to "grow and flourish" by concentrating solely on economic growth, biosecurity, and farmer support, separate from the complexities of land reform.

The appointment of the Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Leader to this portfolio signals a profound commitment to market-friendly policies, regulatory modernisation, and boosting South Africa's global competitiveness. Minister Steenhuisen’s mandate is clear: to leverage the country's immense farming potential to drive job creation, ensure national food security, and expand access to new international markets. This article breaks down the new Minister's background, the strategic importance of the departmental split, and the core policy pillars defining the future of South African agriculture.

The Minister of Agriculture: John Henry Steenhuisen Biography and Profile

The transition of John Steenhuisen from a formidable opposition leader to a key cabinet member in the GNU marks a significant moment in South African politics. His extensive political career, spanning over two decades, is now focused on the highly technical and economically vital Department of Agriculture (DoA).

  • Full Name: John Henry Steenhuisen
  • Date of Birth: 25 March 1976
  • Place of Birth: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
  • Current Position: Minister of Agriculture (Appointed July 3, 2024)
  • Political Affiliation: Federal Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA)
  • Education: Attended Northwood School (Durban)
  • Political Career Highlights:
    • Elected as a councillor for Durban North in the Durban City Council at age 22 (1999).
    • Elected to the eThekwini City Council (2000).
    • Served as the Chief Whip of the DA in the National Assembly (2014 – 2019).
    • Elected Federal Leader of the DA (November 2020).
    • Appointed Minister of Agriculture in the Government of National Unity (GNU) (2024).

Steenhuisen's political background as a strong advocate for good governance and economic liberalisation positions him as a Minister focused on cutting red tape, improving departmental efficiency, and creating a stable environment for commercial and emerging farmers alike. His move into the executive branch is widely viewed as a test case for the GNU's ability to deliver tangible results in a critical economic sector.

The Strategic Value of the Departmental Split: A Focus on Growth

The most profound change underpinning the new Minister's mandate is the splitting of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) into two separate entities: the Department of Agriculture (DoA) and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD). This decision, enacted by President Cyril Ramaphosa following the 2024 General Election, is a game-changer for the sector.

For years, the agricultural sector argued that the critical, high-stakes work of land reform—which involves complex legal, social, and restitution issues—often overshadowed the core mandate of agricultural production and economic policy. The combined department struggled to give adequate attention to both.

The new structure is expected to yield several benefits:

  • Targeted Policy Development: The DoA, under Minister Steenhuisen, can now dedicate 100% of its resources and focus to issues like biosecurity, export market access, farmer training, and climate change adaptation.
  • Streamlined Bureaucracy: The move is intended to simplify processes for farmers, agricultural businesses, and investors by reducing the bureaucratic entanglement between land ownership and farming support services.
  • Enhanced Accountability: By separating the portfolios, accountability for agricultural output and economic performance rests squarely with the Minister of Agriculture, while land claims and redistribution are managed by Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso in the DLRRD.

This separation is seen by industry bodies as a necessary step to unlock the sector's full potential, which contributes significantly to South Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is a vital source of employment in rural areas.

Steenhuisen’s 5 Core Policy Pillars and Initiatives (2024–2029)

Minister Steenhuisen’s initial policy pronouncements and budget speeches have outlined a clear, five-pronged strategy guided by the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for the 2024–2029 term. These pillars are designed to address the persistent challenges facing South African agriculture, from infrastructure deficits to global trade complexities.

1. Aggressive International Market Expansion and Trade

A central pillar of the new DoA's strategy is to aggressively pursue and secure new export markets for South African produce. The Minister has highlighted continued success in opening key markets, which is crucial for the high-value horticulture sector.

  • New Market Access: Building on recent successes, such as fresh grapes gaining entry into the Philippines and the expansion of citrus and avocado exports to Vietnam and China, the focus is on reducing trade barriers and negotiating favourable trade agreements.
  • Biosecurity Modernisation: To maintain access to these lucrative markets, a major initiative is the strengthening of South Africa's biosecurity protocols and regulatory modernisation. This includes significant investment in the inspection services to ensure compliance with stringent international health standards, protecting both local and foreign consumers.

2. Prioritising the G20 Bioeconomy Agenda

With South Africa set to assume the G20 Presidency in 2025, Minister Steenhuisen has made the bioeconomy a top priority. This involves leveraging biological resources—such as crops, livestock, and waste—to create new economic opportunities, products, and energy sources.

  • Innovation and Research: The DoA is pushing for greater investment in agricultural research and development (R&D) to foster innovation in areas like sustainable farming, biotechnology, and value-added processing of agricultural products.
  • Climate Resilience: Bioeconomy policies are intrinsically linked to creating a more climate-resilient agricultural sector by promoting sustainable practices, water-use efficiency, and the development of drought-resistant crops.

3. Enhancing Farmer Support and Economic Inclusion

While the DLRRD handles land distribution, the DoA is responsible for ensuring that all farmers—commercial, emerging, and smallholder—have the support necessary to be productive. The Minister has addressed the Black Business Council, emphasising a commitment to transformation through practical support.

  • Infrastructure Focus: Addressing infrastructure risks, particularly the impact of load shedding (electricity blackouts) and poor rural road networks, is a critical short-term goal. This includes promoting renewable energy solutions for farms and coordinating with other departments to improve logistics.
  • Access to Finance: The DoA is working with financial institutions, like FNB (First National Bank), to modernise risk tools and improve lending models for farmers, especially those who lack traditional collateral.

4. Water Security and Climate Change Adaptation

South Africa is a water-scarce country, and climate change poses a significant threat to food security. The Ministry is focusing on long-term sustainability measures.

  • Water-Use Efficiency: New regulations and incentives are being developed to encourage precision agriculture and efficient irrigation techniques to manage scarce water resources.
  • Disaster Risk Management: Strengthening the department's capacity for early warning systems and disaster relief funding to help farmers cope with increasing climate shocks, such as droughts and floods.

5. Regulatory Modernisation and Red Tape Reduction

A key promise of the DA's participation in the GNU is reducing bureaucratic hurdles that stifle investment and growth. The DoA is undertaking a comprehensive review of agricultural regulations.

  • Simplifying Permits: Efforts are underway to streamline the process for obtaining necessary permits for exports, imports, and the registration of agricultural inputs (e.g., fertilisers and pesticides).
  • Investment Confidence: By creating a more predictable and efficient regulatory environment, the Ministry aims to boost both domestic and foreign direct investment in the agricultural value chain.

The Outlook for South African Agriculture

The landscape of South African agriculture in late 2025 is one of cautious optimism, despite immense challenges. While issues like land tenure, climate change, and succession gaps remain formidable hurdles, the new, focused Department of Agriculture under Minister Steenhuisen is positioned to tackle the sector’s economic challenges with renewed vigour. The positive outlook for the 2024-25 harvest of various field crops and horticulture provides a strong foundation for the Minister to build upon. The success of this new era will ultimately be measured by its ability to translate policy changes into tangible growth, increased food security, and greater prosperity for all South African farmers.

minister of agriculture in south africa
minister of agriculture in south africa

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