The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the North West (DARD) has presented a substantial budget of R1.293 billion for the 2026/2027 financial year. This budget aims to position the agricultural sector as the primary driver of employment, rural revitalization, and global market innovation within the province.
Job Growth and Development Investment
Despite general economic difficulties in the region, agriculture has emerged as a source of hope. The province demonstrated growth by adding 10,000 new jobs between the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, bringing the total workforce to 960,000. For the new financial year, DARD plans to create 1,500 direct jobs and 1,927 jobs through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
A central element of this agricultural revival is an investment of R22.7 million in skills development. The Department intends to train 2,200 farmers and provide scholarships to 120 unemployed graduates in agriculture. This follows the successful graduation of 103 agri-entrepreneurs from the North West University Business School, with the fourth cohort of 140 individuals set to begin training in July.
Livestock Challenges and Opportunities
The Department is leveraging the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) as a catalyst for modernization and achieving historic trade breakthroughs. Following the vaccination of 86% of target animals, the province secured emergency funding of R54.3 million from the National Department to construct modern mobile pens and cold storage units. Furthermore, thanks to a veterinary certificate agreement signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which permits the export of red meat from vaccinated livestock, DARD is launching an emergency program worth R3 million in collaboration with the Land Bank.
This initiative will accelerate the creation of accredited black slaughterhouses with export licenses, opening up profitable continental and international markets for the province's meat industry.
Land Issues Resolution and Community Support
Addressing historical injustice remains a priority. The Regional Commissioner for Land Claims spent an impressive R375 million in the last financial year. This resulted in the finalization of 47 claims, the transfer of 15,599 hectares of land, and direct assistance to 9,024 people, including 531 women-headed households.
To ensure the prosperity of these restored lands, DARD is allocating R1 million each to promising rural cooperatives. These include a fruit farm in Phela village, crop cultivation projects in KhamaYatsha, a 10-hectare cooperative in Tosca, a former miners' agricultural center in Tigane, and a vegetable cooperative in Kgora Moretele, operating in partnership with Disabled People South Africa.
Self-Sufficiency and Educational Programs
In pursuit of self-sufficiency, the Kgora Farmers Training Centre now produces 30,000 eggs weekly. The sale of 20,000 eggs at R1 to farmers in YARD and WARD generates an annual income of R960,000 for the department, while the remaining 10,000 eggs weekly are donated to needy institutions designated by DARD and the Department of Social Development.
The province is preparing to host the National Milling Academy at the Portcheffstroom Agricultural College and hold the NW Agricultural Show in September 2026. The department's philosophy is inspired by philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka, who noted that 'the ultimate goal of farming is not growing crops, but nurturing and empowering communities.' The Department also echoed Nelson Mandela's words, stating that no one can truly rest while poverty, injustice, and extreme inequality persist in rural areas.
Crisis Context and Climate Adaptation
The budget presentation came amid challenges related to unemployment, poverty, climate stress, and the FMD outbreak. The Department also notes uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict and persistent severe job losses across South Africa. Between the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, eight provinces experienced job losses, with the North West losing the most—80,000 jobs. Gauteng lost 67,000, Mpumalanga lost 54,000, and the Eastern Cape and Limpopo each lost 43,000 people.
Against this bleak backdrop, agriculture in the North West added 10,000 jobs, increasing from 950,000 to 960,000 over the same period. The official provincial unemployment rate rose slightly from 35.1% to 35.3%, which the department views as a positive but insufficient indicator. The Department attributes this growth primarily to the agricultural sector but stresses the need for additional efforts.
To address these challenges, the department aims to secure 1,500 jobs through various programmes starting in the first quarter of 2026-27, alongside creating 1,927 jobs under EPWP. The goal is to support inclusive growth and reduce poverty levels.
Biosecurity and Land Management
The FMD outbreak is one of the main drivers of the department's plans for 2026-27. As of June 18, 2026, 414 cases of the disease were recorded in the province. The Department received 1,021,140 doses of vaccines from BioAftogen and Aftogen and vaccinated approximately 879,163 animals, accounting for 86%. The response relies on early detection, vaccination, and movement control.
Biosecurity has become a budgetary priority: 40 Animal Health Technicians will be hired for FMD control. Of the total allocation of R10 million, R2.7 million is earmarked for laboratory modernization, and R7 million for biosecurity. The Portcheffstroom Veterinary Laboratory will be upgraded to strengthen the province's capacity to combat diseases. Additionally, the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development allocated R54,357,300 for the construction of mobile pens, refrigerators, and cold chambers.
Regarding land use, the Native Land Act of 1913 enshrined colonial dispossession. Statistics show that the state owns about 17% of registered land, private individuals about 30%, and white owners hold 72% of agricultural land. The office of the Regional Commissioner for Land Claims in the North West is actively working to rectify this legacy.
For the 2026-27 financial year, the budget for land claims stands at R332 million, with plans to settle three claims and finalize the remaining 13. A separate grant of R10,324,000 is allocated for land care in Sekhing, Seoding, Nyetse, and Reagile for long-term projects, which is expected to create at least 208 green jobs.
Training and Agribusiness
The Department will allocate R8,327,100 to train 2,200 farmers in crop production, livestock, horticulture, agro-processing, and compliance with SAGAP and HACCP standards, with the Agricultural Research Council serving as the main partner. An additional R10,649,100 has been allocated for farmer training and mentorship, and R12,053,923 for scholarships and training of 120 unemployed graduates. The total investment in capacity building amounts to R22,703,023.
Most of the training will take place at the Kgora Farmers Training Centre, while practical livestock training will occur at the Klipkuil Research Farm. Colleges also serve as a source of future talent: in 2026, the total number of students at Taung and Portcheffstroom colleges will be 473. In February 2026, 68 graduates received diplomas in mixed farming in Portcheffstroom, and on June 5 in Taung, 46 graduates in irrigation.
