SECUNDA – The MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Nompumelelo Hlophe, has called on agricultural extension officers to elevate their service to farmers in the face of growing challenges linked to climate change. She was speaking during the 2025 Provincial Extension and Advisory Summit and Awards ceremony, held on Tuesday, April 29 at the Graceland Hotel and Casino in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality.
The summit, themed “The effects of Climate Change on sustainable agriculture and food security”, brought together key stakeholders in the agriculture sector, including national and provincial departments, the Agricultural Research Council, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and several academic institutions.
Addressing delegates, MEC Hlophe acknowledged the critical role extension practitioners play in supporting farmers and ensuring food security in the province.
“We depend on your constructive deliberations and innovative ways that can benefit our farmers as they play the primary role in ensuring an improved level of production, in the fight against hunger and poverty,” said Hlophe. “You need to improve your level of service; stay abreast with challenges facing extension if you are to solve the challenges facing our farmers.”
She urged practitioners to embrace continuous professional development to ensure their advice remains relevant and effective in a rapidly changing agricultural environment.
Extension and advisory services are essential in equipping farmers with knowledge, tools, and technologies to improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience. The summit also placed strong emphasis on the importance of registration with professional bodies like SACNASP and the South African Society for Agricultural Extension.
Head of Department, Cain Chunda, highlighted the importance of readiness ahead of the official launch of the Mpumalanga International Food Market in August.
“You should be assisting farmers in every way possible; they should be producing quality food that meets market standards, especially exports,” said Chunda. “Quality extension services will result in quality food that meet the dietary needs of consumers.”
The evening concluded with an awards ceremony recognising top-performing extension practitioners across the province. The awards are part of a national initiative introduced in 2017 to foster professional development and re-orientation of extension officers.
Delegates in attendance expressed strong support for increased collaboration and integration of technology in extension work to strengthen the sector’s contribution to sustainable agriculture and food security.
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