Exploring the stimulation of the agri-food system of South Africa through the enhancement of entrepreneurship in agriculture

Abstract

In order to feed its growing population and avoid national food insecurity, South Africa will need to greatly increase the amount of food it produces by 2050. There are, however, many issues and challenges facing the agri-food system of South Africa that could make this feat difficult. Namely: an economy in recession; climate change; uncertain land reform policies; a high crime rate; rising input costs such as fuel, fertiliser and electricity; poor infrastructure; increased foreign competition; insufficient access to funding and markets resulting in a high failure rate in agricultural entrepreneurship; and a depreciating and fluctuating exchange rate. This study aims to explore and contribute to the understanding of how the stakeholders of the agri-food system of South Africa could double food production by 2050. More specifically, the objective of this study was to establish whether the stimulation of the agri-food system of South Africa, resulting in increased food production, could be achieved by the enhancement of agricultural entrepreneurship through the development of efficient and effective organised agricultural groups participating in innovative multi-stakeholder agri-food ecosystems. Through a qualitative exploratory study with thirteen (13) agricultural entrepreneurs and three (3) agri-food system experts, this research study established that, the agri-food system of South Africa could be stimulated through enhanced agricultural entrepreneurship. Furthermore, this study found that agricultural entrepreneurship is enhanced when the agricultural entrepreneurs are a part of efficient and effective organised agricultural groups. It was also established that the issues and challenges facing the agri-food system of South Africa could be overcome if the stakeholders of the agri-food system established and participated in innovative multi-stakeholder agri-food ecosystems.