The agricultural industry is still generating jobs, despite some concerns surrounding it

IN THE first quarter of 2025, there were 930 000 primary agriculture jobs in South Africa, an 11% yearly decrease and a 1% quarterly increase.

- THABILE NKUNJANA

Strong activity in the livestock industries and the recovery of grains and oilseeds from the drought served as the foundation for the quarterly improvements.

Many individuals are becoming more and more aware of the significance of the agriculture sector for the country's overall economy as well as for jobs and food security.

This has been proven on a few occasions, including during the COVID-19 lockdown periods and in Q4 2024, when the sector kept the country's economy fromentering a recession.

Therefore, it raises some concerns when the sector has a quarterly or annual reduction in employment.

But depending on the nature of the sector, employment figures will inevitably change over time. The sector's employment levels are influenced by a number of fundamental factors, including weather patterns, seasonality, disease outbreaks, and trade.