Department of Agriculture to fully digitise pesticide registration by 2026

THE Department of Agriculture (DoA) has announced that all pesticide registration applications will move to a fully digital system by April 2026, marking a major step in modernising agricultural regulation and improving efficiency across the sector.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

THE Department of Agriculture (DOA) said on Thursday that applications to register pesticides will be completely digital from April 2026.

(KHALED ELFIQI)

In a statement last week, the department said the transition follows years of preparation to replace the manual, paper-based registration system that has long frustrated applicants seeking approval for products such as insecticides, herbicides, nematicides, and rodenticides.

The registration and sale of these products are governed by the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of 1947), which requires the department to assess, register, and monitor all agricultural remedies used in South Africa.

“Previously, applicants had to travel to DoA offices to file paperwork manually, a lengthy and often frustrating process. By going digital, the department is eliminating unnecessary delays and creating a ‘fast lane’ for companies that comply with requirements from the start,” said Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen.

The department launched the online application platform in December 2023 and has since piloted the system with industry stakeholders while conducting training sessions to prepare users for the full rollout.

The new system allows applicants to: