One of the key messages was the critical need for investment in research and development (R&D) on the African continent. “Currently, only 2% of global agricultural R&D investment is happening in Africa,” emphasised Prof Danie Brink. “This must change to give our farmers access to the cutting-edge technologies that will drive future yields. Universities have a major role to play in bridging this gap by generating local knowledge and training the next generation of agricultural leaders.”
The panel agreed that South Africa is ahead of the curve in technology adoption, particularly in the grain sector. “Precision farming is not a buzzword anymore, it’s a survival tool,” said Dr Tobias Doyer. “South African grain farmers have had no choice but to adopt technology quickly and efficiently. It’s the only way to stay competitive in a market where you must produce cheaper and smarter than everyone else.”
Prof Ferdi Meyer highlighted the exciting breakthroughs in agricultural technology on the horizon. “We’re seeing a revolution in breeding science and digital agriculture. Genetics, genome editing, and AI are no longer futuristic ideas. We now have the tools to manipulate genomes more precisely than ever before. When you add artificial intelligence to this, the possibilities for improving yield, disease resistance, and environmental adaptation are massive.”
However, the conversation also acknowledged the challenges that stand in the way of progress. Prof Brink pointed out that access remains uneven even with a new wave of farmers eager to innovate. “Affordability limits the reach of new technology. We also face generational transitions on many farms, which come with their own complexities. If we want to remain early adopters, we must continuously retool and reskill—not just farmers, but also their advisors and service providers.”
For Johann Kotzé, the resilience of South African farmers is one of the country’s greatest assets. “Political uncertainty doesn’t stop our farmers. The natural elements, like droughts, floods, and soil degradation, shape behaviour on the ground. Our farmers are phenomenal at tuning out the political noise. Their response to instability? They simply farm better.”
Kotzé also stressed that international trade has positively affected local agriculture. “The global market drives excellence. The fact that we’re exporting forces us to compete at a higher level—and that’s also been good for our local standards. We shouldn’t frame it as ‘local vs global’. We need both.”
The final takeaway? Future-ready agriculture is built on collaboration, education, and ambition. As Prof Meyer concluded, “With AI and advanced data systems, we can remove much of the time, cost, and complexity from analysing the past. That gives us more space to focus on navigating the future.”
Session Four offered a compelling vision of what’s possible when bold ideas, data-driven tools, and strong partnerships come together. The future of commercial agriculture may bring storms, but with the right tools and mindset, South Africa’s farmers are ready to rise to the challenge.