Greetings,
As an agricultural economist, it is a privilege to greet and address you as the newly elected President of the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA). I would like to congratulate Jan Hlongwane, the Vice-President, and Manana Mamabolo, Elected Additional Member and I am proud and eager to serve with them at AEASA.
Since 1961, AEASA has greatly evolved guided by the wisdom of great men and women like Frederick Tomlison, Moraka Makhura, Sheryl Hendriks, and Melissa van der Merwe. I had an opportunity to deputize Melissa in the past two years. During this period, Melissa guided the Association to new frontiers. The Constitution of AEASA was amended to reflect the order of virtual working and catering for virtual conferencing and elections. There was also a successful co-hosting of the annual conference with the African Association of Agricultural
Economics.
At the start of Melissa’s Presidency, she attempted to tackle an important question of whether agricultural economics is a profession in crisis. Encouragingly for all of us, the answer to this question was that our discipline is not in crisis. This answer is similar to the views expressed by Chauke, Vink, Van Wyk, and others in 2015 when they articulated the role of agricultural economists in South Africa in the AEASA’s book titled “AEASA IN PRACTICIA THE ROLE OF PRACTICING AGRICULTURAL ECONOMISTS IN SOUTH
AFRICA”.
Essentially, Melissa and other reminds us of the crucial role agricultural economists are playing in shaping the current and future of agriculture in the country. They further make a clarion call that agricultural economists should continue influencing the agricultural environment. One way of doing this is to ensure agricultural economists; research and teachings keep up with the needs of industries and policymakers. Moreover, the research undertaken is communicated to ordinary citizens, farmers, food value chain players, and policymakers in a palatable, simple, and convincing way. For agricultural economists to achieve these goals, their home, which is AEASA, must equally play its part as a platform that promotes and protects the profession.
One of the priorities of the new AEASA leadership is to ensure AEASA remains a relevant platform and home for all agricultural economists in academia, industry, and government. As part of advancing the agricultural economics profession, AEASA will continue to support the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) in developing the Agricultural Economics Professional Bill. Although the development of legislation is purely a government competency, AEASA will contribute to the process and ensure that the Bill protects and advances AEASA’s objectives and members’ interests.
In the past two years, Melissa spearheaded the process of rebuilding provincial Chapters. The Western Cape and Gauteng Chapters were revived connecting with agricultural economists that practice in industries. We aim to continue this work in the next two years and revive the Limpopo, Free State, and KwaZulu Natal Chapters. Provincial Chapters will serve all members in academia, industry, and government to increase the AEASA’s value proposition to its members in between annual conferences. AEASA members will be encouraged to actively contribute to AEASA’s Agrekon, which is one of the indicators of our profession’s contribution to knowledge generation. Under Johann Kirsten, the editor of Agrekon, the journal is regaining its reputation as a credible publication for agricultural economics, markets, and policy.
Communication with members is critical. The association will modernize and better manage its membership database to enhance communication. Communication tools such as social media, the website, and the newsletter will be optimally utilized. We will also explore podcasts as part of measures to encourage currently practicing and retired AEASA members to engage with industry captains and policymakers on strategic and policy matters. While I am on the communication, I am pleased to welcome Ikageng Maluleke, who has taken the reins from Masego Moobi. Let me also appreciate to continued commitment of Colleta Gandidzanwa who handles the governance matters for the Association. Collectively the Management of AEASA is committed to working with Abbyssinia Mushunje in planning and hosting a great conference in 2024 in Qqeberha, Eastern Cape. The theme of the conference is “Agricultural Economic Research for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change in Southern Africa”.
I would like to wish all AEASA members a peaceful and exciting holiday. I trust the holiday break will provide a good opportunity to reflect on the positives that were achieved in the year 2023 and also draw inspiration from the challenges encountered in 2023 as we set new goals for 2024 and beyond.
I thank you.
Sifiso Ntombela
