The TLU SA Young Farmer Committee. (Photo: TLU SA)
Being a young farmer in South Africa today is not easy. They farm in a time of great challenges, of climate change, markets that change frequently, infrastructure that puts pressure on logistics and the daily realities of producing food in a complex world.
At the same time, it is also a time of great opportunities.
This is what John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture, said on Friday at TLU SA’s Young Farmer Conference in Pretoria. The minister could not attend the proceedings himself and his speech was read out by Clemens Senekal, chairman of the TLU SA young farmer committee.
Dozens of young farmers, schools, universities, politicians and agricultural organizations attended the conference. The aim of the conference is to help young farmers to understand their role within the wider agricultural industry and take their place in the sector with confidence.
This year’s meeting particularly focused on sharing knowledge and creating a network for young farmers, structural strengthening, legal realities and practical solutions for the challenges that young producers face on a daily basis.
(Photo: TLU SA)
Steenhuisen labels the agricultural sector as the most resilient sectors of the country’s economy.
“Despite all the pressure, our farmers continue to produce world-class food, unlock new markets around the world and keep rural economies alive. And increasingly, it is young farmers who are driving innovation, technology adoption and new ways of thinking about agriculture.”
He emphasizes that young farmers bring new energy and fresh thinking to the sector and always ask how things can be done better.
“You bring technology, data, new management practices and sometimes just a new way of thinking about old problems. TLU’s Young Farmer of the Year competition offers you an excellent opportunity where young farmers can exchange ideas, new connections can be built, and where the next generation of agricultural leaders is formed.”
Photo for illustration. (Photo: iStock)
Steenhuisen says his door is always open to young farmers and although the government cannot farm on their behalf, he believes it is his job to create an environment where farmers can succeed.
“This means working to open markets, improve biosecurity, remove unnecessary obstacles and ensure that agriculture remains a sector where people who work hard and innovate can flourish,” says Steenhuisen.
Photo for illustration. (Photo: iStock)
Tiaan Barkhuizen, TLU’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2025, in turn encouraged young farmers to enter this year’s competition.
This 33-year-old farmer from Garies in the Northern Cape, who has his own village herd and farms goats and sheep commercially, says the competition offered him an incredible opportunity to measure himself against other farmers, look at himself again and realize where he is going.
Tiaan Barkhuizen is TLU SA’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2025. (Photo: Provided)
“The competition offers you many opportunities. The network, guidance and support that TLU offers you is incredible. For me, this was the biggest opportunity that came my way and the exposure and opportunities are invaluable.”
His hope for the future of young farmers and agriculture in South Africa is that they should never give up, keep farming, persevere and help to leave fewer farms lying uncultivated.
Barkhuizen believes that agriculture is the heart of every country and he hopes that more young people will return to the farm to build food security.
This year’s entries close on 19 June 2026.
A new young farmer committee was also announced on Friday, which will lead the next phase of young farmer activities and has the mandate to build on the existing work, with a focus on participation, development and cooperation within the agricultural sector.
Senekal was re-elected as chairman of the young farmer committee and Wian Süllwald as vice-chairman.