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Premier Lesufi’s government continues to fail the agriculture sector in the Gauteng province, while agriculture in other parts of the country shows measurable growth and resilience. Instead of Gauteng standing out as a leader, the province is failing to unlock its agricultural potential, despite access to markets, infrastructure, and consumers.

According to the latest Statistics South Africa (StatsSA), Agricultural Survey for 2024, national agricultural income grew by nearly 10%. This was driven primarily by horticulture, animal products, and expanding investment in capital equipment. Provinces such as the Western Cape, Free State, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape recorded strong income growth, job creation, and expanding value chains. Gauteng did not.

In Gauteng, there is no clear upliftment given to small and emerging farmers' profitability. There is no significant shift in job creation and no demonstrable expansion of Gauteng’s role in high-value horticulture.

Furthermore, there is no evidence that provincial spending is unlocking sustainable agricultural value chains. The result is a department that is managing decline rather than driving growth.

Agriculture in Gauteng will never compete with the Free State or Limpopo on scale alone, but this does not excuse policy paralysis.

Agriculture in Gauteng should be intensive, high-value, innovation-driven, and market-linked, with a focus on horticulture, agro-processing, niche production, and food system integration. Instead, the data shows stagnation, weak employment growth, and limited impact from provincial interventions.

Gauteng contributes over 11% of the national agricultural income, yet it accounts for less than 5% of agricultural employment.

Job growth in the province remains marginal, while other provinces expand labour-absorbing sectors.

There is no clear evidence that current departmental interventions have translated into sustained growth, farmer expansion, or meaningful job creation.

In contrast, provinces that have prioritised clear strategies, export-driven horticulture, farmer support, and infrastructure efficiency are seeing tangible returns.

The DA Gauteng will be tabling questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to the MEC for Agriculture, Vuyiswa Ramakgopa, to determine why Gauteng is not contributing more towards the agricultural sector, what strategies have been put in place to improve support to farmers and SMMEs and to provide us with details of successful projects that has lead to the export of our agricultural products to other countries.

With committed DA leadership, Gauteng agriculture would focus on smart growth, not false promises, and we would prioritise high-value horticulture close to urban markets with Agro-processing hubs linked to fresh produce markets.

This province needs small farmer profitability, not dependency, together with private-sector partnerships and not bureaucratic gatekeeping. We need clear return on investment and not politically convenient projects

The DA believes agriculture in Gauteng must be a food security stabilizer, a job creator, and an economic multiplier, but this can happen only if it is led with competence, accountability, and urgency.

The DA remains committed to evidence-based policy, farmer-centred support, and sustainable agricultural development that delivers real results and not just press statements.

Gauteng residents deserve to live in a province where farmers receive the support needed to ensure food security.

Issued by Bronwynn Engelbrecht MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development