South Africa to G20: Time for Unified Action on Sustainable Agriculture

South Africa Places Ubuntu in the Forefront of G20 Agriculture Agenda 2025

South African 2025 G20 Presidency has placed the focus on placing African philosophy of collectivism and collective prosperity, namely Ubuntu, in the forefront of its agriculture agenda. This follows amidst rising global agricultural issues such as climate change, food safety, and assuring inclusive development in the agriculture sector.

In his presentation at the second session of the G20 Agriculture Working Group (AWG) meeting, South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in resolving pressing agricultural issues. He noted that it is through working together that there will be long-term and sustainable solutions.

The world agri-space is faced by numerous urgent issues, such as the increased incidence of plant and animal disease, exacerbating effects of global warming, poverty, and world hunger. As Steenhuisen stipulates, it is stated that no country can fight these crises. Instead, countries ought to work together using the Ubuntu principle of working in harmony, striving for unity of purpose, respect, and teamwork.

Steenhuisen outlined South Africa's four agricultural priorities for 2025, which are closely interlinked with the Ubuntu theme and capture the significance of cooperation among nations. The priorities are designed to respond to critical global food system demands and be climate change resilient. 

1. Inclusive Market Participation and Food Security
The first kind of priority is to achieve inclusive agricultural markets and food security for everyone. Pro-poor, pro-smallholder farmer, pro-woman, and pro-young person South African investments and policies are encouraged. These are inclusive markets to make sure that nobody, especially farmers and traders, is excluded. The aim is to provide healthy foods to all population groups, especially the poor.

2. Empowering Young People and Women in Agrifood Systems
South Africa is also seeking to empower women and youths in food agri systems. With expanded access to credit, training, leadership, and land, South Africa seeks to build innovation and sustainability in global food systems. Since women and young people are poised to contribute immensely to agriculture, South Africa is pushing for them to have a key role to play in building the future of food systems.

3. Greater Cooperation in Research and Technology
The third focus area is promoting greater collaboration in agricultural science and technology. South Africa is leading global coordination to bring agricultural innovation across the globe, especially developing nations and vulnerable populations. This includes strengthening alliances to close the technology gap and empower farmers around the world with the ability and skills they require to thrive. The alliance is the basis for achieving agricultural sustainability.

4. Strengthening Climate Resilience to Enable Sustainable Agriculture
Climate resilience for sustainable agriculture cultivation is the last of the priorities. Climate change poses a serious threat to agriculture production, and South Africa is at the forefront globally because it tries to eradicate the impacts of climate change. South Africa vows to gain access to climate finance, with the exchange of information on smart climate practices and facilitated access for farmers, particularly in the third world, to be able to resist increasing extreme weather threats.

International Partnerships and Coordination
The leadership of Brazil as G20 chair last year was also appreciated by Steenhuisen towards South Africa's presidency. Its leadership in driving the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty paved the way for possible cooperative action under the G20 in the future. South Africa has committed to taking this agenda forward through the G20 Food Security Task Force.

The minister of agriculture also raised the issue of coalitions and how they could be used in addressing the intricacies facing the farming sector. In Steenhuisen's view, it not only requires the intervention of government but also action from the private sector and charity in order to address the issues. The vision of South Africa is premised on the assumption that the combined brilliance and human oneness of everyone involved are the solutions to finding sustainable solutions.

The G20 Agriculture Working Group will also convene throughout the year, with meetings in three provinces in South Africa. The meetings will work together to determine the course of global agricultural policy into the future, focusing on sustainability, inclusiveness, and resilience.

South Africa's Ubuntu promise continues to shine through as the G20 Presidency of 2025 continues: only by being together and working in harmony can nations embark on finding answers to the vital issues plaguing the agriculture sector.