Bayer, Khula back South African farmers with skills, finance and market links
The partnership will support 50 emerging farmers over the next year through training, finance readiness and access to formal markets.
SOUTH AFRICA – Bayer and Khula have expanded their partnership to help emerging farmers in South Africa gain better access to finance, training and formal markets as pressure grows on the country’s food system.
The companies announced the partnership on 12 May during the NAMPO Harvest Day event in Bothaville, one of South Africa’s largest farming exhibitions.
The programme, called the Bayer x Khula Farmer Accelerator, will support 50 emerging farmers over the next 12 months. Bayer committed R7.5 million (US$459,000) to fund systems and services linked to the project.
The companies said the programme will focus on helping farmers qualify for production finance in their own names while improving their ability to sell into formal markets.
Karidas Tshintsholo, CEO of Khula, said many farmers struggle because support systems often fail to connect properly.
“South Africa’s emerging farmers have the ambition and resilience to build thriving businesses. What’s often missing is a connected pathway, credible data, the right capability support, access to finance, and a clear route to market,” he said.
The programme will focus on women and young farmers who often face limited credit history, lack of collateral and unstable market access.
Mildred Nadah Pita, Head of Public Affairs at Bayer Africa, said the partnership combines practical farming support with digital systems that can help farmers improve production and business management.
“By combining Bayer’s expertise with Khula’s digital platform and ecosystem partnerships, we are helping more farmers strengthen productivity, build resilience and access the opportunities that enable long term success,” she said.
The companies said the support will include agronomic guidance, mentorship, compliance support, digital farm mapping and better record keeping. Farmers will also gain access to structured buyers and funded production systems.
Climate pressure also shaped the programme design. Bayer said it plans to support climate smart farming through seed technology, improved soil practices and more efficient input use.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also welcomed the move. Luthando Kolwapi, Head of Resource Mobilization, Partnerships and Communications at FAO United Nations, said Africa’s farming sector needs stronger investment and cooperation.
“Africa’s challenges must remain central to the global agenda. The continent possesses immense agricultural potential, but reaching that potential requires investment, technology transfer, infrastructure development, climate resilience, and stronger regional cooperation,” he said.
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