The future of farming is not merely about embracing technology but also about fostering human relationships and collaborations. This was the resounding message from industry leaders at the recent Cape Agritech Connect 2025, hosted by the Stellenbosch Network and Stellenbosch University’s Launch Lab. The event gathered prominent figures in agriculture, technology, and policy to delve into the future of food production and rural innovation in the Western Cape.
The conference featured a packed schedule of panel discussions, tech showcases, and collaborative dialogues, all pointing to a future where innovation, cooperation, and systemic transformation intersect. Daniel Maritz of FutureFit Agri Africa Ltd. set the tone during a panel on precision agriculture, emphasizing the urgency of adopting technology. “Technology is no longer a future consideration, it’s a present imperative,” Maritz stated, highlighting that AI alone is expected to attract $7 trillion in investment over the next five years. His message was clear: farmers who fail to evolve risk becoming obsolete.
Maritz painted a stark picture of the agricultural landscape by 2030, predicting two distinct types of farms. “Those that run as traditional operations, and those that integrate technology, new business models, and artificial intelligence,” he said. He emphasized that the focus is shifting from merely producing more to producing smarter, ensuring that agri-businesses are tech-enabled from soil to shelf.
However, technology alone is not the silver bullet. Tara Southey, founder and CEO of Terraclim, reminded the audience during a discussion on digital platforms and data integration that the future of agriculture hinges on trust, collaboration, and relationships. “The real challenge is not access, but how we build the right partnerships to put that data to work,” Southey said. She highlighted the importance of cultivating trust, particularly with farmers who remain hesitant to share data due to concerns over misuse.
Local governance also took center stage, with Mynard Slabbert, deputy mayor of Stellenbosch Municipality, offering insights into the government’s role in agricultural innovation. Slabbert emphasized that while municipalities are not directly responsible for managing agriculture, they play a crucial enabling role. “Our core mandate is to deliver services. From there, our responsibility is to regulate where needed and to create an environment where agriculture and technology can thrive,” he explained.
The conference culminated in a forward-looking session with Hanli Brink from the Stellenbosch Network, who unveiled the Cape AgriFuture Cluster. This initiative aims to drive sector-wide innovation through collaboration between companies, research institutions, investors, and government. Brink described the cluster model as a way to turn ideas into real-world solutions more quickly, supporting the commercialization of agri-innovation and strengthening local food systems and export capacity.
The Cape AgriFuture initiative plans to host a dynamic calendar of events across the Western Cape, including AI-in-agriculture showcases, matchmaking events for agribusinesses, and co-design workshops that bring together farmers and technologists. Brink emphasized the importance of shared ownership, strong leadership, and cross-sector collaboration in making these clusters successful.
The implications of the conference are clear: the future of farming lies in the seamless integration of technology and human collaboration. Farmers must embrace technological advancements to stay competitive, but equally important is the need to build trust and foster partnerships. Local governments play a pivotal role in creating an enabling environment for these innovations to thrive. Initiatives like the Cape AgriFuture Cluster demonstrate the power of collaboration in driving agricultural innovation and ensuring the sustainability of local food systems.