After falling to the lowest levels since 2014 in the first quarter of this year, South Africa's agricultural employment rebounded in the second quarter to 862 000 (up 8% year on year).

Expanding irrigation infrastructure, commercialising underutilised communal and reformed land (through the provision of tradable land rights), and targeted support to agricultural subsectors and regions with growth potential could all have transformed the rural economy of the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.

South Africa has not had three consecutive favourable agricultural seasons in a long time. The typical cycles are two seasons of large agricultural output followed by a notable decline on the back of dryness.

South Africa has not had three consecutive favourable agricultural seasons in a long time.

When we could travel without worrying about Covid-19, the transition of September into October each year was a fascinating time to fly over SA.

When we could travel without worrying about Covid-19, the transition of September into October each year was a fascinating time to fly over SA.

Unlike several other African countries, SA has not faced a food shortage in the recent past. Food production has increased over the years and SA has remained a net exporter.

Governments can build credibility over time through consistent commitment to implementing policies efficiently and effectively. South Africa hasn’t done well on this score.

The export-led strategy underpinning SA’s trade policy entails a deliberate effort to get the country’s agriculture and other industrial sectors to export products beyond existing international markets.

• The closing session of last week’s Agbiz Grain Symposium offered an opportunity to explore global and domestic grains market developments.

• This is how South Africa could unlock its agriculture growth potential
  

  I believe South Africa’s agricultural sector will grow by more than 6% this year after an already solid growth of 13,4% year-on-year in 2020.

• What to learn from the recent SA Crop Estimates Committee's release?
  

  This past week, the national Crop Estimates Committee released its update on South Africa's 2020/21 summer crop production forecasts and the 2021/22 winter crop production.

• South Africa's standing in the global food security ladder
  

  This past week, The Economist released its Corteva-sponsored Global Food Security Index results for 2021.

• There is limited scope for growing South African agricultural exports in the African markets
  

  South Africa’s agricultural sector is arguably one of the most vibrant on the continent.

• Agriculture is Key to Boosting Growth in South Africa
  

  South Africa is currently in its rebuilding phase from the economic shocks of Covid-19.

• What EU's Farm-to-Fork Strategy mean for South Africa's agriculture?
  

  The EU's Farm-to-Fork Strategy is set to be implemented in 2022, and will come with an additional layer of regulations which have implication on South Africa.

• Effective communication of the Master Plan is vital for implementation
  

   Most of the national government's agricultural policies and programmes depend on implementation by the provincial governments and municipalities for their success.

• Rising farming input costs are partly cushioned by higher agricultural commodity prices -South Africa
  

  At the start of every agricultural production season, one of the major concerns for farmers is weather conditions over the course of the season and how these will affect yield.

• Former homelands have been left behind to occupy the periphery of progress
  

  South Africa’s agriculture sector has been the mainstay of economic growth even at the height of Covid-19. Its underbelly, however, is its dualism and lack of inclusiveness.