South African agriculture is bigger and more diverse than the often-repeated claim that the country simply has “40,000 farmers.”

Statistics South Africa recorded 40,122 commercial farming units in 2017. However, that figure does not represent every person or household involved in commercial agriculture. A 2025 analysis by agricultural economists Johann Kirsten and Wandile Sihlobo, using the 2016 Community Survey together with agricultural census data, estimated 242,221 commercial farming households. Of these, approximately 43,891 (18%) were White commercial farming households. Among the 132,700 households where agriculture was their main source of income, approximately 93,000 (70%) were Black. These figures are estimates based on different datasets — they should not be presented as an exact 2026 racial headcount of farmers.

The real challenge is therefore bigger than race or the number of farms.

South Africa needs an agricultural system that makes it easier for farmers to produce, find markets, access knowledge, build partnerships, obtain finance and grow profitable businesses.

This is where The Farmers comes in.

The Farmers — thefarmers.co.za is being developed as a digital agricultural ecosystem that helps bring farmers, agricultural businesses, buyers, service providers, professionals and communities onto one connected platform.

The objective is simple: stop farmers from operating alone.

A farmer should be able to discover farming opportunities, learn from other producers, showcase a farm or agricultural business, connect with potential buyers and partners, find services, share knowledge and participate in a wider agricultural network.

The future should not be Black farmers versus White farmers. It should be South African farmers working together to produce more food, create businesses and strengthen food security.

Experienced commercial farmers can share knowledge. Emerging farmers can gain market connections. Agribusinesses can find producers. Buyers can discover suppliers. Technology can connect the entire value chain.

The Farmers believes collaboration is not a slogan — it is infrastructure.

If South Africa wants a stronger agricultural economy, we need more productive farmers, stronger agricultural businesses and better connections between everyone who contributes to the food system.

Join The Farmers. Connect. Learn. Trade. Collaborate. Grow.

The future of South African agriculture should be built together.