The agricultural sector is currently grappling with various challenges that demand urgent attention.
Persistent load-shedding, escalating protectionism in critical export markets, the upward trajectory of interest rates, and the deepening web of geopolitical tensions are all contributing to the adversity faced by farmers.
Simultaneously, the cumulative impact of inadequate municipal service delivery and the underperformance of vital network industries like water, rail, and ports has exacerbated the predicament.
Rural road degradation compounds the threats looming over the sector's sustainability.
This was the feedback the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) received during a recent interaction with members nationwide.
"We spent most of July on the road, engaging with members and sector role-players in various regions of the country," said chief Agbiz economist, Wandile Sihlobo.
"The feedback about the near-term outlook was reasonably positive in all our engagements, with many attributing their optimism to the favourable 2022/23 summer crop and 2023/24 winter crop seasons.
"The feedback from the horticulture and wine industries also remained encouraging as various stakeholders forecast growth and expansion prospects in the coming years.
"The outlook could have been more optimistic when we engaged the livestock and poultry industries that struggled with higher feed costs and persistent animal disease outbreaks."
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