Steenhuisen Reaffirms Commitment to Agricultural Extension Services at SASAE Meet

Marking a century of agricultural extension services in South Africa, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen delivered a powerful message reaffirming government’s dedication to these critical support systems. Speaking at the 58th annual South African Society for Agricultural Extension (SASAE) Conference and the first-ever South African Agricultural Extension Week in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, the Minister highlighted extension services as a cornerstone of rural development, food security, and sustainable farming practices.

The centenary celebration, under the theme “Leveraging innovation and technology to enhance Extension and Advisory Services for sustainable agriculture, improved livelihoods and food security,” provided a forum for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to reflect on past progress while planning for a resilient agricultural future.

Agricultural Extension: The Engine of Rural Transformation

Agricultural extension services—originally formalised in 1925—are tailored advisory support programs designed to guide farmers in best practices. They help producers make data-informed decisions about crop choices, water management, pest control, and access to markets. Minister Steenhuisen emphasized that while agriculture may be the economic bedrock of rural South Africa, it is the work of extension officers that activates its true potential.

“It is the work of our extension practitioners that truly unlocks the potential of our producers, particularly smallholders who depend on support, advice, and innovation,” said Steenhuisen.

With rural livelihoods and national food security hanging in the balance, extension workers play a key role in guiding farmers through evolving challenges—from climate variability to technological change and shifting market demands.

Economic Contributions and Extension-Driven Growth The Minister pointed out that the agricultural sector is not only a social safety net but also a major contributor to national economic performance. In the first quarter of 2025, agriculture grew by 15.8%, with extension services credited as a catalyst for this growth.

“Their role underpins the entire agricultural value chain, which contributes about 12% to the national GDP,” Steenhuisen said.

The sector’s rapid expansion was largely fueled by increased yields, improved sustainability practices, and more efficient market linkages—all supported by the boots-on-the-ground efforts of extension workers.

Smallholder Focus: The SHEP Model and Inclusive Support In a significant announcement, Minister Steenhuisen introduced the rollout of the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) initiative. This market-oriented agriculture model, developed in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), seeks to shift smallholder producers from a production-first mindset to one that is market-first.

• 18 extension officers were trained in Japan last year

• 20 more will be sent for training in October 2025

• The SHEP model promotes value-chain thinking, enabling smallholders to grow for identified markets

The Minister underscored a focus on supporting women, youth, and persons with disabilities, who often face systemic barriers in accessing land, finance, and technical training.

Additionally, the Department of Agriculture will be hiring 260 assistant agricultural practitioners in 2025 to strengthen extension capacity across the country, especially in under-resourced rural regions.

Innovation, Technology and Youth in Agriculture

Extension services are not just about transferring knowledge—they are about embracing innovation. This year’s SASAE conference and Agricultural Extension Week featured:

• Field visits to eight diverse agricultural projects, including rooftop farming in urban malls, hemp production, poultry, and mixed crop-livestock systems

• Scientific presentations from professors, doctoral researchers, and agricultural innovators

• Demonstrations of agritech tools and smart farming systems

Minister Steenhuisen stressed the importance of making agriculture attractive to younger generations. This includes showing career paths in agritech, agro-processing, entrepreneurship, and agricultural policy.

“We need to reframe agriculture as a sector that offers not only stability and meaning, but also innovation, growth, and global relevance,” he said.

Expanding Farmer Field Schools (FFS)

Another initiative receiving new momentum is the Farmer Field School (FFS) programme, launched in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Already operational in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Northern Cape, the program allows smallholder farmers to learn through peer-based, hands-on demonstration plots.

The FFS approach complements formal extension by giving farmers the tools to experiment, observe, and adopt new practices in a low-risk environment.

The Road Ahead: A Bold Vision for Sustainable Agriculture

As the week-long centenary celebration continues, the message from government is clear: Agricultural extension is not just a service—it's a mission-critical investment. Whether in combating hunger, adapting to climate change, or growing rural economies, extension practitioners are frontline champions of transformation.

“Let us recommit to building a world-class extension system—one that empowers our producers, uplifts our communities, and strengthens our food systems,” Steenhuisen concluded.

South Africa’s centenary of agricultural extension services offers a timely opportunity to reflect on a century of progress—and to plant the seeds for the next hundred years of inclusive, resilient, and innovation-driven agriculture.