Corteva Agriscience reaffirmed its commitment to building an inclusive and resilient agricultural sector through its support of the 2026 Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba, a national platform dedicated to empowering emerging farmers, agripreneurs and future agricultural leaders.
The two‑day Indaba brought together farmers, policymakers and agribusiness leaders to engage on the realities shaping South African agriculture, including economic pressures, policy reform and the practical challenges facing young and emerging producers. A recurring theme throughout the programme was the critical role of collaboration across the agricultural value chain in enabling long‑term farmer success.
For Corteva Agriscience, the discussions reinforced the strategic intent behind its BBBEE Supplier Development Programme, which focuses on strengthening emerging farming enterprises by improving access to knowledge, infrastructure, funding and commercial networks. The programme supported farmers beyond production alone, encouraging entrepreneurship, sustainability and meaningful market participation.
One of the key conversations at the Indaba centred on the importance of integrated value‑chain support. Ngobile Muyambo, CEO of Seedlink, reflected on the realities facing emerging producers and the need for alignment across inputs, technical expertise and market access to unlock sustainable growth.
“What consistently held emerging farmers back is not a lack of ambition or effort, but uneven access across the value chain,” said Muyambo. “When quality seed is paired with the right technical support and a clear route to market, farmers are able t move from survival to sustainability. Real transformation happens when the entire ecosystem works together.”
She noted that partnerships between established agribusinesses and emerging farmers play a vital role in reducing risk, improving productivity and enabling the development of commercially viable agricultural businesses.
Corteva Agriscience’s collaboration with organisations such as Seedlink forms part of its broader value‑chain approach embedded within the Supplier Development Programme. By working alongside local partners, Corteva creates pathways for emerging farmers to participate competitively in the agricultural economy, while contributing to local food security and rural economic development.
Reflecting on the engagement, Taryn Govendor, Procurement Executive representing Corteva Agriscience, highlighted the importance of moving beyond short‑term interventions towards long‑term partnerships that deliver lasting impact.
“Corteva supports companies like Seedlink because they play a critical role in strengthening the entire agricultural ecosystem,” she said. “Through our Supplier Development Programme, Corteva intentionally partners with local organisations that are close to farmers, understand their realities and can deliver practical training and support on the ground. By building the capability of our suppliers and partners, we help create stronger market linkages, more sustainable farming businesses and a value chain that works for everyone. This is why Corteva invests in supplier development — to enable inclusive growth that is commercially sustainable and rooted in local impact.”
Through its participation in initiatives such as the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba, Corteva Agriscience continues to demonstrate its commitment to supplier development, inclusive growth and meaningful transformation in South African agriculture. By investing in emerging farmers and fostering strategic partnerships across the value chain, the company contributes to a more resilient, innovative and sustainable agricultural future.
