Department of Agriculture and Raisins South Africa Sign Landmark Agreement to Strengthen Farmer Support

The Director-General of the National Department of Agriculture, Mr Mooketsa Ramasodi, today led the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the department and Raisins South Africa in Upington. The agreement marks a major step toward building a sustainable and inclusive agricultural sector through focused collaboration with commodity organisations.

The partnership is anchored in the commodity-based extension approach, a model designed to strengthen farmer support systems, boost productivity, and promote development within the agricultural value chain. This approach allows the department to work closely with commodity groups to provide tailored extension and advisory services that address the specific needs of each sector.

Through this agreement, the Department of Agriculture and Raisins South Africa will work together to enhance technical support for farmers, improve access to training, and promote the adoption of best practices in production and processing. The collaboration also aims to increase the participation of emerging farmers in the raisins value chain, ensuring that small-scale producers benefit from shared knowledge and market opportunities.

Mr Ramasodi highlighted the importance of the agreement in driving transformation and growth in the agricultural sector. He emphasised that structured partnerships between government and industry bodies are key to ensuring the success of national agricultural programmes.

“This agreement reinforces our commitment to building a vibrant, competitive, and inclusive agricultural economy. By working with commodity organisations, we can provide targeted support that helps farmers increase productivity and improve livelihoods,” said Mr Ramasodi.

Raisins South Africa welcomed the collaboration, noting that the MoA will help strengthen research, improve production standards, and ensure sustainability across the raisins industry. The organisation also expressed its commitment to empowering smallholder farmers through training, mentorship, and market linkages. The signing of the MoA reflects a shared vision to accelerate transformation, promote innovation, and ensure that the South African agricultural sector remains competitive globally while contributing to national food security and economic growth.