‘Not a Side Hustle’: Traditional Leader Pushes for Support of Small-Scale Farming

Small-Scale Farming Deserves More Than Lip Service

South Africa’s more than two million smallholder farmers are often dismissed as subsistence growers scraping by on small plots. But Kgosi Nyalala Pilane, leader of the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela traditional authority, says this view is both outdated and damaging.

“Small-scale farming is not a side hustle. It is a serious contributor to household food security and local employment,” Pilane said. “With the right investment, it can become one of the most important drivers of economic growth in South Africa.”

Challenges Holding Farmers Back

Pilane argued that small farmers are blocked not by lack of ambition, but by systemic barriers:

• No land security: Without title deeds, farmers lack the confidence and collateral to expand.

• Poor infrastructure: Bad roads and limited storage mean produce often spoils before reaching buyers.

• High input costs: Seeds, fertilizer, and equipment remain out of reach for many.

• Limited training: Practical, accessible mentorship is still scarce.

He said these issues turn farming into a survival strategy instead of the viable business it should be.

Red Tape vs. Real Support

Government programmes like the Blended Finance Programme and AgriSETA training are designed to help smallholders. But Pilane believes too many initiatives fail to reach the ground.

“Programmes are announced with good intentions, but they do not always find their way to the ground. We must cut the red tape and meet farmers where they are,” he said.

Farming as Community Development

For Pilane, the debate goes beyond food production. He linked farming success to community resilience.

“A successful farm does more than put food on the table. It creates work, it builds local business, it gives young people a reason to stay and invest in their own future rather than leave for the cities,” he said.

Building a National Opportunity

Pilane stressed that targeted investment in rural storage facilities, digital platforms, and farm-to-market logistics would quickly lift incomes and integrate small farmers into the mainstream economy.

“Land security is not just a legal issue. It is the foundation of economic confidence,” he said, adding that if smallholders are given the right conditions, they will thrive.

{Source: TheCitizen}

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