South Africa’s upcoming G20 leadership in 2025 will focus on promoting environmentally friendly farming through the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land (PDAL) Act.
At the World Economic Forum 2025, Agricultural Minister John Steenhuisen announced that the PDAL Bill had been finalised and was awaiting President Ramaphosa’s approval. The Bill was passed on January 29th, 2025, and applies to all agricultural land in South Africa. Each province is required to create a sectoral plan within five years. The Act aims to support agricultural growth while ensuring environmental protection and social fairness.
Key Environmental Goals
The Act is based on agro-ecology principles, which include:
- Assessing land and resources to maximise their potential.
- Protecting and restoring natural resources for long-term sustainability.
- Expanding eco-friendly farming practices.
- Encouraging bio-innovation in areas such as:
- Soil and water conservation
- Natural pest control and organic fertilisers
- Renewable energy crops
- Livestock welfare and vaccines
- Support for Small Farmers
- Steenhuisen highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to help small farmers meet environmental standards required by major markets.
Alignment with SIZA Standards
The SIZA (Sustainability Initiative of South Africa) program already encourages compliance with international farming regulations. The PDAL Act aligns national laws with global market standards, ensuring sustainable land use and resource management.
SIZA’s digital tools help farmers track and report environmental data, making it easier to meet sustainability goals. Additionally, SIZA’s Emerging Growers Programme, supported by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, helps small-scale farmers meet premium market standards.
Moving Forward
The PDAL Act will make sustainable farming, following global best practices, a legal requirement in South Africa. SIZA’s long-standing commitment to sustainability ensures that South African farmers are well-prepared for this transition.
For more details, visit the SIZA Environmental Standard on the MySIZA platform or contact Matthew Guest at 021 852 8184 / matthewg@siza.co.za.
