News item | 15-09-2025 | 09:44
State Secretary Jean Rummenie of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) will visit South Africa from 17 to 19 September 2025 in the context of the group of 20 (G20), of which South Africa is chairman this year. The Netherlands and South Africa are important trade, knowledge and innovation partners. The visit of the State Secretary is dominated by a further deepening of international cooperation in the broad field of agriculture, innovation and food security.
G20
G20 chairman South Africa has invited the Netherlands for the South African G20 years. The group of 20 is the most important global forum for financial-economic matters. The G20 together represents 80% of the world economy.
State Secretary Rummenie participates in the G20 agriculture ministerial meeting that will be held in the Western Cape on Thursday 18 September. In addition to the plenary part of the meeting, the meeting offers an excellent opportunity for bilateral discussions with fellow ministers of agriculture from the G20 countries.
On Friday, September 19, the State Secretary for the Netherlands will represent the G20 Ministerial Task Force Food Security. Food security is an important pillar of the cabinet and the State Secretary will emphasize the importance of this and the role of the Netherlands.
Working visit
There are around 300 Dutch companies active in South Africa, especially in agriculture. The visit of the State Secretary to South Africa is dominated by a working visit to the Hortidemocentre in Stellenbosch on Friday afternoon 19 September.
South Africa is known for a diverse agricultural sector with important export products such as citrus fruits, avocados and grapes. The country also has to deal with increasing drought. That is why a future -proof food system has high priority. In the Horti Demo Center, which was also created with help from the Netherlands, Dutch techniques are demonstrated to local stakeholders. Through education and training courses, students learn in practice, where efficient use of water, manure and pesticides in the greenhouse is central. Covered cultivation is an interesting way of climate-sucking agriculture, which seems to fit better in South Africa with rising temperatures and limited availability of water. Sharing knowledge is therefore essential. With the expansion and increasing interest of companies to conduct research at this location, the Hort Demo Center is increasingly developing into an important hub for innovation and applied research in sustainable horticulture.
During the working visit, State Secretary Rummenie will talk to the dean of Stellenbosch University, the head of the Agricultural Faculty, the coordinator of the Hortidemo Center and students.