Parliament, Tuesday, 11 August 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture has urged the Department of Agriculture to accelerate the implementation of its targets, strengthen accountability and ensure that public resources deliver measurable improvements in food security, agricultural transformation and farmer support.
The committee made the call after considering the department’s performance and expenditure reports for the third and fourth quarters of the 2025/26 financial year, as well as progress in implementing its Audit Improvement Plan.
Although the department achieved 82% of its combined targets for the third and fourth quarters, the committee expressed concern about significant weaknesses in key programmes. The Administration programme achieved only 33% of its targets, while the Food Security and Support programme achieved 40%. Committee members stressed that underperformance in these areas directly affects the department’s ability to support farmers effectively and advance food security.
The committee further noted that the department had spent 95.2% of its adjusted budget by the end of the 2025/26 financial year, leaving approximately R379.7 million unspent. While acknowledging the overall expenditure rate, committee members emphasised that spending must be matched by tangible outcomes and measurable improvements in the lives of farmers and communities.
The performance of the Blended Finance Scheme was a particular concern. The department reported that it had ultimately met its annual target of supporting 100 producers after beneficiaries were verified following the initial quarterly reporting period. The committee nevertheless requested detailed information on the beneficiaries, the amounts disbursed, and their geographical and demographic profiles to enable Parliament to properly assess the programme’s impact.
Committee members also warned that delays in approving financial support can cause farmers to miss critical planting windows. They urged the department to improve coordination with the Land Bank so that funding is aligned with production cycles and farmers’ operational needs.
Transformation remained a central concern. Committee members called for clear, measurable evidence that Black producers are increasing their participation in and share of agricultural production, that sustainable rural jobs are being created, and that access to markets and finance is improving. The committee requested a report setting out the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan’s specific targets for advancing the prospects of Black producers, together with progress made against those targets since the Plan was adopted.
On food security, committee members raised concerns about delays in finalising the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan and establishing the National Food and Nutrition Security Council. They stressed that a coordinated, whole-of-government response must translate into improved access to food for households and vulnerable communities.
On governance, the committee acknowledged progress in implementing the Audit Improvement Plan but expressed concern that 13 of the 30 audit findings have been only partially addressed and three have not been addressed. It called for urgent action on recurring findings and for all corrective measures to be completed within firm timeframes.
The committee also highlighted capacity constraints and delays in implementing a fit-for-purpose organisational structure. Members said critical vacancies, particularly in senior and financial management, must be filled to ensure that the department has the institutional capacity to fulfil its mandate.
Members further cautioned that, while the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak requires urgent intervention, the reprioritisation of funds to support the response must not undermine other critical priorities, including food security, transformation and agricultural development.
The Acting Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, said the committee would continue to exercise firm but constructive oversight over the department. “The committee recognises the work undertaken by the department, but our responsibility is to ensure that plans and expenditure produce measurable outcomes. We cannot accept recurring explanations for missed targets or unresolved audit findings. We require clear targets, firm timeframes, accountability and evidence of implementation,” said Dr Nkabane.
The committee also expressed concern about the repeated absence of the department’s political principals from its meetings. While recognising the demanding responsibilities of ministers and deputy ministers, committee members stressed that effective parliamentary oversight requires the participation of the political leadership responsible for policy direction and accountability. The committee will raise the matter formally with the executive while continuing to engage constructively with the department and its political leadership.
Dr Nkabane said the committee would remain focused on ensuring that parliamentary oversight helps build a more inclusive, productive and food-secure agricultural sector.
“Public interventions in agriculture must expand opportunities for Black producers, strengthen food security, support sustainable rural livelihoods and address historical inequalities. These priorities cannot remain perpetually in progress; they require measurable and sustained action,” said Dr Nkabane.
The committee expects the department to submit all outstanding written information requested during the meeting. It will continue to monitor the department’s performance, implementation of audit findings, transformation initiatives, food-security programmes, financial management and institutional capacity.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE ACTING CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, DR NOBUHLE NKABANE.
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