Day two of Nation in Conversation 2026 at NAMPO Harvest Day placed some of South Africa’s most pressing agricultural challenges under the spotlight, with focused discussions on foot-and-mouth disease, water security, and the future potential of biofuels in the local agricultural economy.
The sessions brought together industry leaders, producers, economists and policymakers, with discussions facilitated by Chris Burgess, Dr John Purchase and Theo Vorster.
The day opened with a critical discussion on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and the growing need for stronger cooperation between government and the private sector to protect the livestock industry and South Africa’s export markets.
There was a clear consensus among Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and the panellists that South Africa’s response to FMD cannot succeed through government intervention alone. Long-term success will depend on stronger collaboration between organised agriculture, private industry and the state.
In her introduction to the session, Debbie Bester, CEO of Senwes, stressed that FMD is not only a challenge for the red meat industry but one that affects the broader agricultural value chain and the sustainability of rural economies.
To demonstrate the group’s commitment to supporting the fight against FMD, Senwes contributed essential consumables and support resources through coordinated industry efforts led by Agbiz. The contribution formed part of broader efforts to strengthen containment and mitigation measures across the livestock industry.
Steenhuisen emphasised that South Africa now has an opportunity to rebuild and modernise its biosecurity infrastructure in a way that creates long-term value for the country.
Producer and Simbra breeder Kobus Bester captured the seriousness of the crisis when he remarked that very few retail industries would survive if they were unable to trade for six months.
The second session shifted focus toward water security and the growing pressure on South Africa’s water infrastructure.
Discussions centred on more efficient water use, the maintenance and restoration of infrastructure, and the importance of long-term planning to ensure agricultural sustainability. The conversation also touched on changing water legislation and the importance of balancing regulation with the realities producers face on the ground.
The final session of the day explored the future of biofuels and the opportunities it could create for South African agriculture and the broader economy.
Theo Vorster asked why South Africa should pursue a viable biofuel industry.
Minister Steenhuisen highlighted South Africa’s dependence on imported fuel and the opportunity that biofuels could create for agriculture.
“From an agricultural perspective, it gives farmers options. It creates another buyer,” he said.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of policy certainty and long-term sustainability if the biofuel industry is to succeed in South Africa.
Derek Mathews stressed that investors and producers need confidence that biofuel projects can remain sustainable even during periods of lower oil prices and higher grain prices.
Across all three sessions, one message remained clear: resilience in agriculture will depend on collaboration, innovation, infrastructure investment and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing realities.
Nation in Conversation 2026 continues throughout the week at NAMPO Harvest Day, with support from partners including Grain SA, Nedbank, and Senwes, as well as several businesses within the Senwes Group operating across the agricultural value chain.