Accelerating the Implementation of the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan advisory note - July 2025

The Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) provides the mechanism to implement the National Development Plan’s Chapter Six goals of enhanced food security, inclusive growth of the agriculture and agro-processing sector, high job creation, and export growth. However, three years into the implementation of the AAMP, the broader challenges of stimulating inclusive sector growth and investment, lack of financial access, poor local and network infrastructure, market access and expansion, the sector remain unaddressed. Recognising the importance of addressing these challenges, the National Planning Commission, in partnership with the National Agricultural Marketing Council, convened a roundtable discussion under the theme "Accelerating the Implementation of the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan" on 31 October 2024. The roundtable discussion proposed SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) solutions, which include the importance of establishing clear governance and programmatic roles to align and coordinate interventions, resource and fund the programme, deepening stakeholder collaborations, and detailed implementation plans supported by properly defined monitoring and evaluation systems. Addressing these central challenges through the proposed solutions can significantly enhance the operational effectiveness and strategic impact of the master plan. This advisory note synthesises insights from the roundtable and provides recommendations to enhance the implementation of the master plan. 1. Introduction and Background The National Planning Commission (NPC) is an independent advisory body, appointed by the President of South Africa. The NPC is responsible for monitoring, reviewing and assessing progress, and providing advice to achieve the National Development Plan (NDP). The mandate of the third and current NPC includes convening key stakeholders with a view to identifying effective and impactful interventions on a number of key developmental issues facing the country. The National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) is the government institution contracted to support the delivery of the AAMP. The NAMC was established in terms of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (No. 47 of 1996). It is a statutory body reporting to the Minister of Agriculture.