AGRI SA
Associations in Pretoria

Essentially Agri SA, through its affiliated membership, represents a diverse grouping of individual farmers regardless of gender, colour or creed. Furthermore, the organisation maintains an extensive communication network with its members and other affected communities, organisations and individuals. Agriculture in South Africa remains an important sector despite its relatively small contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP). The sector plays an important role in terms of job creation, especially in rural areas, but is also a foremost earner of foreign exchange. Agriculture’s prominent indirect role in the economy is a result of backward and forward linkages with other sectors. Purchases of intermediate goods and services form backward linkages with the manufacturing sector, while forward linkages are established through the supply of raw materials to industry. Due to an unacceptable level of crime and violence in rural areas, Agri SA is preoccupied with ensuring a safe environment for all people involved in the agricultural sector. A sound working relationship has been established with the SAPS at both policy and operational level with a view of addressing the relevant rural safety problems. Agri SA is a federation of agricultural organisations established in 1904 consisting of provincial and commodity organisations, representing a diverse grouping of individual farmers regardless of gender, colour or creed. According to its Constitution, a member-representative congress must be hosted annually which also deals with the election of leaders. Congress resolutions serve as guidance for determining Agri SA’s work programme and priorities for the upcoming year. The General Council is constituted on a representative basis of member organisations and serves as the highest authority of the organisation when Congress is not in session. This committee is subordinate to the General Council and the Executive Committee and is responsible for review of the financial and corporate management of Agri SA. It also has such powers and perform such duties as the General Council or the Executive Committee may delegate or assign to it. The committee consists of the President, Deputy Presidents, chairman of the General Affairs Chamber, chairman of the Commodity Chamber and the Executive Director. This section of the webpage offers an access portal only to Agri SA members, namely its affiliated provincial and commodity organisations, and is protected by a unique password. Agri SA’s six policy committees deal with aspects relating to the implementation of policy within the respective focus areas. Each committee has a chairperson, with nominated representation from the General Affairs Chamber and Commodity Chamber.