About Us
OUR STORY
In 2018, a group of passionate agricultural leaders came together with a shared vision: to transform South Africa's agricultural landscape into one of inclusive growth and sustainable development. From commercial farmers to farming organizations and value chain experts, these founding members recognized that the sector's future lay in collaboration, innovation, and shared prosperity. Thus, AGDA was born – not just as an organization, but as a movement toward agricultural transformation.
Growing With Purpose
As a non-profit organization, AGDA’s roots run deep in our commitment to inclusive growth. We understand that true agricultural development must lift all participants across the value chain. Our approach goes beyond traditional support models – we create ecosystems where established and new farmers can thrive together, where innovation meets tradition, and where sustainable practices drive commercial success.
Bridging the Fields of Opportunity
What sets AGDA apart is our unique role as an integrator across the agricultural value chain. We create new pathways for collaboration. From the smallest subsistence farmer to the largest commercial farmers, from input suppliers to market outlets, from financiers to technology providers, we bring together all the elements needed for agricultural success. Our extensive network spans:
- Commercial farmers sharing knowledge and resources
- Financial institutions providing innovative funding solutions
- Market players offering secure off-take agreements
- Technology partners driving innovation
- Support organizations delivering crucial services
The AGDA Way
Our work is guided by four core principles:
- Partnership-Driven Development: We believe that sustainable growth comes through collaboration
- Inclusive Innovation: We harness cutting-edge solutions while ensuring accessibility for all
- Practical Support: We focus on tangible results and real-world impact
- Sustainable Growth: We build models that create lasting positive change
Looking to Tomorrow
As we continue to grow, our commitment remains unchanged: to be the catalyst that develops South African agriculture into a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous sector through our integrated approach, innovative partnerships, and unwavering focus on practical solutions.
Leadership
The AGDA board of directors represent partners across the agricultural value chain. Each of them has years of experience in the agricultural and agribusiness sector. They bring to AGDA their diverse skills and network of partners.+
Dr Mathews Phosa
Chairperson
David Mthombeni
Deputy Chairperson
Leona Archary
CEO
Dewald Olivier
Commodity Organisation
Roelf Meyer
Public Private Partnerships
Gilly Dlamini
Banking Association of South Africa
Kallie Schoeman
Commercial Farmer
Theo Boshoff
Agri-Business Sector
Nono Sekhoto
African Leader & Network Lead
AGDA Overview
A Non-Profit, Member-based Agricultural Development Agency
AGDA's Ecosystem
Strategic Framework
AGDA's strategic framework is built on the foundation of creating an inclusive, sustainable, and growing Agricultural Sector. We work to contribute meaningfully to social justice, socio-economic upliftment, and food security through enhanced opportunities and partnership networks.
Key Focus Areas
AGDA has built an extensive network that demonstrates our collaboration success:
Strategic Partnerships with key industry players:
- De Beers: R24m seed funding for agricultural development in Blouberg and Musina
- VKB: R20m input financing
- PepsiCo (Kgodiso Fund): R15.6m farmer working capital
- LIMA Rural Development Foundation for implementation support
- SAPCOR Insurance for innovative farmer protection
- Rubic One Health for livestock health solutions
- Anolawave for export market access and renewable energy
- Skills Fund for Blouberg and Musina farmers
Public-Private Partnerships:
- Engagements with National and Provincial Government Departments
- Collaboration with municipalities
- Partnerships with traditional authorities in NW, LP, KZN, EC
Farmer Synergies:
- Connection of 45,000+ farmers across different scales
- Integration of 50+ agribusinesses
- Coordination with 7 commodity organizations
Our value chain initiatives focus on priority commodities:
Potato & Vegetable Value Chain:
- 155 hectares cleared and planted
- 853 jobs created
- Targeting 890 jobs by 2026
- 40 new black farmers in development
Livestock Value Chain:
- Supporting 470 communal farmers
- Creating 70 formal value chain jobs
- Improving calving rates and land rehabilitation
- Project value: R80m
Moringa Development:
- Target: 10,000ha over 5 years
- Potential: 30,000 jobs (Direct/indirect)
Beans Production:
- Target: 5,000ha over 5 years
- Potential: 2,500 jobs (Direct/indirect)
Our innovative financing approach includes:
EA AGRI Impact Investment Fund:
- Prospectus complete
- First capital raise €15m by December 2024
HARVEST LOAN Financing SPV:
- R100m facility in development with South African DFI’s
- Focus on micro and small farmer financing
Insurance Solutions:
- Partnership with SAPCOR
- Launch scheduled for March 2025
- Affordable products for small & medium producers
Our comprehensive skills programs include:
The Grow-to-Market Programme achievements:
- 200+ Households trained and supported
- 277 Youths reached
- 25 Cooperatives registered
- R7.05m funding secured
- R3m committed for next 3 years
Harvest Skills Fund:
- Partnership with AgriSkills Academy and Food for Mzansi
- R1.1m raised for 2024/2025
- Focus on youth in commodity value chains
Our food security initiatives focus on:
Aggregator Models
Blouberg and Musina development:
- 400 farmers in vegetable production
- Local fresh produce market development
- Community food access improvement
- Export market linkages
Rural Development:
- Support for 185 households in vegetable micro enterprises
- 24 potato farmers in Blouberg
- Integration of informal and formal markets
Our enterprise development achievements include:
Transaction Support:
Multiple categories of support from micro to mega commercial
Pipeline values:
- Micro Enterprise: R80 million
- Small Commercial: R59 million
- Medium Commercial: R110 million
- Large Commercial: R800 million
- Mega Commercial: R3 billion
Our job creation initiatives show significant impact:
Direct Employment:
- 853 jobs in potato and vegetable production
- 70 formal jobs in livestock value chain
- 277 youth placements
Indirect Employment:
- Support services development
- Value chain opportunities
- Enterprise creation
Group Structure
A Sustainable Social Enterprise Structure
Core Objectives
At the heart of AGDA’s mission lies four interconnected objectives that drive our impact in South African agriculture. We combine targeted farmer development with innovative financing solutions, leveraging our extensive partnership networks to create sustainable opportunities for growth. From supporting farmers in priority value chains to developing financial models, from building strategic industry collaborations to maintaining governance standards – each objective reinforces our commitment to inclusive agricultural development. This holistic approach has established AGDA as a trusted facilitator of inclusive growth, creating measurable impact across the agricultural landscape while maintaining the highest standards of accountability and transparency.
Supporting Farmer Development
- Focus on prioritized agricultural value chains
- Enhance market access opportunities
- Provide comprehensive support systems
Innovative Finance Models
- Develop tailored financial solutions
- Create sustainable funding mechanisms
- Enable access to capital
Partnership Networks
- Build strategic collaborations
- Foster industry connections
- Enable knowledge sharing
Governance and Accountability
- Ensure transparent operations
- Maintain high ethical standards
- Monitor and evaluate impact
Operational Model
AGDA's operational model represents a comprehensive approach to agricultural development, combining integrated area-based development with strategic partnerships and innovative funding solutions. At our core, we function as a catalyst, bringing together diverse stakeholders across the agricultural value chain through an orchestrated and programmatic approach.
Through our value proposition, we deliver impact across five key dimensions: from enabling partnerships and synergies, to facilitating commercially viable projects, improving market access, orchestrating innovative financing, and enhancing food security and livelihoods. This integrated approach allows us to create sustainable ecosystems that support both commercial success and social development. With farmers in our network and partnerships across the entire agricultural value chain, our model is effective in bridging gaps, unlocking opportunities, and fostering inclusive growth.
Value Proposition Explained
Supporting inclusive growth through skills, finance and market access.
