“This is the first South African to lead the World Farmer’s Organisation and we are proud of his achievement as a fellow South African and farmer,” said Johannes Möller, president of Agri SA from Helsinki.

We also wish to congratulate Alfred Banda, a fellow African who have been elected as board member for the African continent.

Dr De Jager is well known in the agricultural circles in South Africa and Southern Africa. For the past eight years, he has represented Agri SA in the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Union’s (SACAU) and as president of the organisation, since 2013. 

He recently stepped down as president of the Pan African Farmers Organisation (PAFO) as well as chairperson of the Non-state Actors Coalition of Nepad. He also served for 10 years in Agri SA’s General Council, as chairperson of Agri SA’s General Affairs Chamber as well as the Transformation Committee.

The WFO is an organisation of agricultural producers that aims to strengthen farmer’s positions within value chains, with a particular focus on smallholder farmers. By advocating on behalf of farmers and representing their interests in international policy forums, the WFO supports farmers in better managing extreme price volatility, leveraging market opportunities, and timely access to market information. 

“We believe that through constructive engagement with the WFO under the leadership of Dr De Jager, the WFO will continue to be instrumental in creating a conducive environment for agricultural investment and development in the world,” said Möller.

Agri SA