Collaboration and safety high on agenda of new Agri Western Cape boss

Villiers Loubser, newly elected president of Agri Western Cape and a farmer near Durbanville, is keen to see the old divisions in agriculture give way to greater unity between all role players, creating a better future for all farmers. Jeandré van der Walt spoke to him about this and other pressing issues in agriculture.

- Jeandré van der Walt

What is your agricultural background?

I’m a proud alumnus of Boland Agricultural High School in Paarl and obtained my BCom in agricultural economics from Stellenbosch University. I also grew up on a farm, so a career in food production was a calling as well as a result of my love for the science of agriculture. I farm near Durbanville in the Koeberg area, a region renowned for its winter grains and quality wineries, and have produced grain crops (wheat, canola, barley and lupins), livestock and grapes for the past 23 years.

As president of Agri Western Cape, what is your vision for the association and agriculture in the province?

Agri Western Cape was founded as the [collective] voice of farmers within the structures of the authorities of the day; there is simply no way that we can make a difference as individuals. The organisation needs to be proactive in its pursuit to work alongside policymakers to create the best possible outcome for farmers on the ground.

What are some of the burning issues facing the sector at the moment and how should these be addressed?

The devastating drought in the Western Cape is one of our main challenges. Farmers in the drought-stricken areas are on their knees and are barely surviving. We have to find a more sustainable solution to these types of natural disasters.