How Smallholder Farmers Are Thriving Through Seriti’s Agri-Nodes Initiative – Farmers Review Africa

Report on the Agri-Nodes Initiative: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in South Africa

Introduction: A Partnership for Sustainable Livelihoods

A collaborative project between the Seriti Institute and the Citi Foundation, implemented from 2023 to 2025, has successfully advanced multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by transforming the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in South Africa. The initiative, part of Seriti’s Multifunctional Agri-Nodes model, has empowered over 302 farmers across KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North-West, and Mpumalanga to transition from subsistence farming to sustainable and profitable agri-enterprises. This report details the project’s interventions, outcomes, and direct contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Project Interventions and Strategic Alignment with SDGs

The project provided comprehensive support designed to build local capacity and promote climate-resilient agriculture, directly addressing key development challenges.

• Capacity Building: 312 farmers received training in permaculture, food safety, and financial and business management, contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Infrastructure and Input Support: The establishment of 50 new farming enterprises was supported with essential infrastructure, including irrigation systems, shade nets, and storage facilities. This enhances productive capacity in line with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Seedling Distribution: Over 500,000 seedlings were distributed, boosting local production for both household consumption and commercial markets, directly supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2.

Direct Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Advancing Zero Hunger and Climate Action (SDG 2 & SDG 13)

The initiative has made significant strides in building fair and resilient local food systems. By promoting agroecological practices, composting, and waste reduction, the project fosters climate-smart agriculture that reduces reliance on synthetic inputs. This approach not only enhances food security but also contributes to environmental sustainability and climate action.

Fostering Economic Growth and Reducing Poverty (SDG 1 & SDG 8)

The project has tangibly improved economic conditions in rural communities by creating pathways to market and fostering entrepreneurship.

1. Enterprise Development: Over 30 agri-enterprises were formally registered, with an additional 24 in the process, signifying a shift towards formal economic participation.
2. Market Linkages: Five value chain dialogues connected farmers directly with retailers and buyers, leading to stable supply contracts. Successes include farmers in Deelpan supplying Spar and others supplying Boxer stores and Astral Foods.
3. Digital Innovation: The launch of the Community Fresh App, a digital marketplace, connects farmers to consumers, promoting fair pricing and reducing post-harvest losses. This aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by creating efficient, localized supply chains.

Promoting Gender Equality and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 5 & SDG 10)

A core achievement of the project is its focus on empowering marginalized groups, particularly women and youth, who constituted over 60% of the beneficiaries.

• Women’s Empowerment: Women-led cooperatives, such as Ladies First in Agriculture, received targeted infrastructure support to expand their operations, directly advancing female economic empowerment.
• Youth Engagement: The project provided young people with access to land and entrepreneurial opportunities in agriculture, addressing youth unemployment.

Strengthening Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

The project’s success is a testament to the power of multi-sectoral collaboration. Key partnerships included:

• Traditional Authorities: The Deelpan traditional authority allocated 15 hectares of land for farming.
• Private Sector: AFGRI provided mentorship, and WD Seedlings donated over 21,000 seedlings.
• Public-Private Dialogue: Engagements with national fresh produce markets and government departments ensured long-term sustainability and policy alignment.

Future Outlook: Scaling Youth Employability in the Green Economy

In recognition of its impact, the Seriti Institute has been selected for the Citi Foundation’s 2025 Global Innovation Challenge. This continued partnership will scale the AgriFuture Pathways Initiative, focusing on equipping South African youth with skills for the green economy, mechanisation, and agribusiness. This next phase will further contribute to SDG 8 by creating dignified work and empowering young people to drive sustainable development in their communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article highlights the project’s success in improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, transitioning them from subsistence farming to profitable agri-enterprises. This directly contributes to poverty reduction by creating sustainable income sources in rural communities.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The core of the initiative is to enhance agricultural productivity and build fair, local food systems. By providing training, seedlings, and infrastructure, the project boosts food production for both household consumption and local markets, thereby strengthening food security.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article explicitly states that over 60% of the project beneficiaries were women and youth. It also highlights the support given to women-led cooperatives and the fact that many women gained access to land for the first time, directly addressing the economic empowerment of women.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The project fosters entrepreneurship by helping establish 50 new farming enterprises and formally registering over 30 of them. The follow-up initiative focuses on youth employability, aiming to create business and employment opportunities in the green economy, which promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The initiative supports farmers with essential infrastructure like irrigation systems, poultry houses, and storage facilities. Furthermore, it introduces digital innovation through the “Community Fresh App,” a digital marketplace that modernizes local farming trade and connects farmers to markets.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The project promotes sustainable agricultural practices through agroecological training, composting, and waste reduction. The digital app also helps reduce post-harvest losses, contributing to more sustainable production and consumption patterns.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The entire initiative is built on partnerships. The primary collaboration is between the Seriti Institute and the Citi Foundation. The article also emphasizes the strengthening of “tri-sectoral partnerships with government departments, NGOs, and the private sector” (like AFGRI and WD Seedlings) to ensure long-term sustainability.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  • Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to… ownership and control over land. The article mentions that many women and youth “gained access to land for the first time through partnerships with traditional leaders.”

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women… through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets… The project directly addresses this by providing 312 farmers with training, inputs, tools, infrastructure, and market linkages.
  • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices. The article highlights the project’s focus on “climate-smart agriculture,” “agroecological training, composting, and waste reduction practices.”

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership. The project achieves this by ensuring over 60% of beneficiaries are women and by supporting “Women-led cooperatives, such as Ladies First in Agriculture.”
  • Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land. This is directly addressed by providing women with access to land.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship… The project resulted in the “establishment of 50 new farming enterprises” and fostered a “growing appetite for entrepreneurship.”
  • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people. The new *AgriFuture Pathways Initiative* specifically aims to equip “young people in South Africa with skills” to open “pathways for business and employment opportunities.”

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The project provided “infrastructure such as irrigation systems, shade nets, poultry houses, and storage facilities.”
  • Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology. This is addressed through the launch of the “Community Fresh App,” a digital marketplace for farmers.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  • Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste… and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses. The Community Fresh App aims to “reduce postharvest losses by linking farmers with real-time demand.”

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article details partnerships between a non-profit (Seriti Institute), a foundation (Citi Foundation), traditional authorities, and the private sector (AFGRI, WD Seedlings).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators:

• Indicators for Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction (SDG 1 & 8)

  • Number of farmers transitioned from subsistence farming: 302
  • Number of new farming enterprises established: 50
  • Number of agri-enterprises formally registered: Over 30
  • Qualitative indicator: Farmers now supply major retailers like Sannieshof Spar, Boxer stores, and Astral Foods, indicating increased and consistent income.

• Indicators for Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2 & 12)

  • Number of farmers trained in permaculture, food safety, etc.: 312
  • Number of seedlings produced and distributed: Over half a million
  • Qualitative indicator: Adoption of agroecological practices, composting, and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs.
  • Qualitative indicator: The Community Fresh App’s function to reduce post-harvest losses.

• Indicators for Gender Equality (SDG 5)

  • Percentage of beneficiaries who are women and youth: Over 60%
  • Qualitative indicator: Establishment and infrastructure support for women-led cooperatives like “Ladies First in Agriculture.”
  • Qualitative indicator: Women gaining access to land for the first time.

• Indicators for Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9)

  • Launch of a digital tool: The Community Fresh App
  • Qualitative indicator: Provision of infrastructure such as irrigation systems, shade nets, and poultry houses.

• Indicators for Partnerships (SDG 17)

  • Number of value chain dialogues hosted: 5
  • Qualitative indicator: Documented partnerships with the Citi Foundation, traditional authorities (Deelpan traditional authority), and private companies (AFGRI, WD Seedlings).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: farmersreviewafrica.com