The opening session of Nation in Conversation 2026 at NAMPO Harvest Day delivered a strong message to producers facing mounting economic pressure: farming remains one of the most important and resilient industries in the world, but success will depend on smarter thinking, diversification and disciplined decision-making.
The first session, titled “To Farm or Not to Farm: The Economic Reality”, brought together facilitator Theo Vorster and panellists Hansie Viljoen, Jaco Minnaar, Richard Krige and Japie Grobler to unpack the realities shaping modern agriculture.
Despite rising input costs, market volatility and increasing financial pressure on producers, the panel agreed that agriculture continues to offer long-term value and remains essential to both South Africa and the global economy.
“The world will always need food. There will always be a future in agriculture,” was one of the central themes repeated throughout the discussion.
The conversation quickly shifted beyond survival toward resilience, the core theme of Nation in Conversation 2026: Resilience Creates Advantage.
Panellists stressed that producers can no longer rely solely on traditional approaches. Instead, farmers are being challenged to rethink their operations, diversify income streams, manage risk more effectively and make decisions grounded in accurate financial and production data.
According to Theo Vorster, cash flow management has become one of the defining factors separating resilient farming businesses from vulnerable ones.
The panel emphasised that the current environment demands smarter farming practices. Precision agriculture, technology, data-driven decisions and the ability to interpret and apply information effectively are no longer optional. They are becoming essential tools for sustainability and profitability.
Producer Hansie Viljoen highlighted the importance of spreading risk in uncertain times, encouraging farmers not to rely too heavily on a single commodity, market or production approach.
Japie Grobler spoke about the importance of a farmer’s “family” during difficult economic cycles. In this context, he referred not only to relatives, but also to the broader support structure surrounding agriculture, including banks, input suppliers, organised agriculture and agricultural businesses such as Senwes.
“There are times when farmers cannot stand alone,” Grobler noted. “Strong partnerships and trusted relationships become critical.”
Richard Krige, Chairperson of Grain SA and a producer himself, also highlighted the value of organised agriculture and the role it continues to play in protecting producers’ interests, enabling collaboration and strengthening the sector’s voice.
One of the most powerful moments of the session came when the panellists were asked whether, if they could sell everything today and start over, they would still choose farming as a career.
All four answered yes without hesitation.
Their response reflected the broader tone of the session: agriculture remains challenging, but it also remains deeply meaningful, necessary and filled with opportunity for producers willing to adapt.
Nation in Conversation 2026, proudly supported by partners including Grain SA, Nedbank and Senwes, continues throughout the week at NAMPO Harvest Day with discussions focused on some of the agricultural sector’s most pressing issues, including biosecurity, water, trade, biofuels and agriculture’s role in shaping South Africa’s future.