KwaZulu-Natal Launches 2026 Multi-Planting Season to Boost Food Production and Support Small-Scale Farmers

KwaZulu-Natal has launched its 2026 Multi-Planting Season with a renewed focus on unlocking under-utilised land, increasing food production and helping small-scale farmers participate in commercial agriculture. The launch took place on 3 October 2026 at KwaGuqu in the Dlebe area of Ulundi, led by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa. The initiative highlights the province’s commitment to making productive use of available agricultural land while supporting farmers with the resources and services they need to grow. It also brings attention to the importance of women-led farming cooperatives, access to agricultural infrastructure and science-based farming practices. However, with the province facing the risk of below-normal rainfall and higher temperatures during the 2026/27 summer season, farmers will need to combine production opportunities with careful planning and climate awareness.

During the launch, Premier Ntuli visited the Kwadidwayini Cooperative, a women-led farming initiative involving 31 women. He described the cooperative’s extensive, fertile land as a “Promised Land” for agriculture in Zululand, highlighting its potential to contribute to local food production and agricultural development. Making productive use of under-utilised land can create opportunities for farming households, strengthen rural livelihoods and increase the supply of locally produced food. For cooperatives, access to land is an important starting point, but sustainable growth also depends on suitable production inputs, equipment, technical guidance and reliable markets. The focus on Kwadidwayini reflects the opportunity to build agricultural activity around existing land resources and the commitment of local farmers.

The delegation also visited the Vukuzakhe Cooperative, a two-hectare project led by 20 women who produce onions, cabbage, potatoes and tomatoes. The cooperative is set to receive support that includes fencing, irrigation, production inputs and market assistance. These forms of support address practical needs that can affect a small-scale farming operation’s ability to produce consistently and protect its crops. Fencing can help secure cultivated land, while irrigation can improve control over water supply when rainfall is unreliable. Production inputs and market support can also help farmers plan their planting activities and work towards selling their produce. For the women involved, this assistance offers an opportunity to strengthen their farming activities and improve their participation in the agricultural value chain.

The 2026 Multi-Planting Season also places emphasis on preparing land and ensuring that farmers receive appropriate agricultural inputs. During her address, MEC KaMadlopha-Mthethwa explained that soil samples had been collected from the 50 hectares planned for cultivation in the area. Of this total, 30 hectares at KwaGuqu are allocated to 34 beneficiaries, while 20 hectares at eMkhiweni are intended for 32 beneficiaries. The MEC confirmed that fertiliser would be issued after the soil test results were received, allowing the department to identify the appropriate inputs for the soil conditions. This approach supports more informed fertiliser use and helps avoid relying on guesswork when making important crop production decisions.

Soil testing is an important part of effective crop production because soil conditions influence nutrient availability, root development and crop performance. Applying fertiliser without understanding the soil’s needs can result in inappropriate input use and unnecessary production costs. Soil analysis helps farmers and agricultural advisers make better decisions about nutrient management and the type of fertiliser required. This is particularly relevant when farmers are preparing land for a new planting season and need to make the best use of available resources. By linking fertiliser distribution to soil test results, the department is promoting a more evidence-based approach to farming in the participating areas.

Land preparation is already under way, with 35 hectares reported as having been prepared using seven tractors. Mechanisation can help farmers prepare larger areas within a suitable planting window and reduce some of the physical demands associated with land preparation. However, access to tractors must be supported by the availability of trained operators and proper coordination of services. The department is strengthening its mechanisation capacity through 57 tractor drivers under the Expanded Public Works Programme, including 25 who are currently undergoing training. Building this capacity can support the delivery of land preparation services while developing practical skills among programme participants. As the planting season progresses, effective coordination between land preparation, soil testing, input distribution and planting will be important to the success of the programme.

The Premier and MEC also handed over a new diptank at KwaNqindi in Dlebe, responding to a practical need among small-scale livestock farmers. Farmers welcomed the facility, explaining that it would reduce the long distances they previously had to travel to reach the nearest diptank. Bringing livestock health services closer to farming communities can make it easier for farmers to access routine animal health measures and manage their herds. MEC KaMadlopha-Mthethwa said the facility would help prevent livestock diseases by improving access to animal health services. For livestock producers, disease prevention is essential because animal illness can affect herd productivity, household income and the sustainability of farming operations.

Diptanks are used in livestock management to support the control of external parasites, including ticks, when the correct treatments and procedures are followed. Regular and appropriate parasite control can contribute to animal welfare and help reduce losses associated with parasite-related conditions. However, a diptank is only one part of a sound livestock health programme, which may also require veterinary advice, vaccination where appropriate, adequate nutrition and careful monitoring of animal health. Easier access to dipping facilities can reduce the logistical burden on farmers and make routine livestock management more practical. The new KwaNqindi facility therefore adds important local infrastructure for livestock farmers in the Dlebe area.

Despite the opportunities offered by the planting season, the department has warned farmers to prepare for challenging weather conditions. MEC KaMadlopha-Mthethwa said KwaZulu-Natal faces an El Niño during the 2026/27 summer season, with expectations of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures. These conditions could place rain-fed crops under pressure and increase the risk of lower yields. Staple and commercial crops such as maize, dry beans and soybeans may be particularly vulnerable where rainfall is insufficient during critical growth stages. Farmers may also face weaker veld and grazing conditions, water shortages, higher animal feed costs and increased risks from veld fires, pests and animal diseases.

The districts identified as being at high risk include Amajuba, Zululand, Umkhanyakude, UThukela, UMzinyathi, UMgungundlovu and parts of Harry Gwala. Farmers in these areas need to consider how rainfall shortages and high temperatures could affect planting decisions, crop growth and livestock management. Where possible, producers should use local weather information and agricultural extension advice to guide decisions about planting dates, crop selection and available water. Livestock farmers may also need to plan for the possibility of reduced grazing and higher feed requirements. These risks make careful use of resources and early preparation especially important during the 2026/27 summer production period.

The agricultural potential of Dlebe is supported by the area’s soil and vegetation characteristics. Agricultural scientists classify the area as Dry Lowveld Tall Grassveld, known as VB11, and identify the soil as Hutton soil. Hutton soils are generally associated with well-drained conditions and can support crop production where soil depth, fertility and other local factors are suitable. Their ability to drain well and support root development can be useful for grain farming, provided crops receive the water and nutrients they need. According to the information provided for the area, maize yields could reach up to 4.7 tonnes per hectare under optimal dryland production conditions. This figure represents potential rather than a guaranteed harvest, as actual yields depend on rainfall, planting time, seed choice, soil fertility, weed control and other management factors.

The potential to produce grain on dryland farms makes careful planning particularly important in a season threatened by below-normal rainfall. Farmers need to consider not only the productive capacity of their land but also the risks associated with the weather and the resources available to manage those risks. Soil testing, timely land preparation and appropriate fertiliser use can help improve crop management, but they cannot remove the effects of severe drought. Access to agricultural advice and updated weather information can help farmers make decisions based on changing conditions. Combining the province’s land resources with sound agronomic practices will be essential to making the most of the planting season.

The 2026 Multi-Planting Season launch at KwaGuqu brings together several priorities for agricultural development in KwaZulu-Natal, including increased food production, support for women-led cooperatives, improved mechanisation and stronger livestock services. The planned support for Kwadidwayini and Vukuzakhe cooperatives shows the importance of connecting land and farming ambition with infrastructure, inputs and market opportunities. Soil testing and land preparation are helping establish the basis for crop production, while the new diptank at KwaNqindi improves access to an important livestock health service. At the same time, the El Niño warning underlines the need for farmers to prepare for possible water shortages and difficult growing conditions. The success of the planting season will depend on turning these investments into productive, sustainable farming activities while adapting to the weather risks facing the province.