SA farmers turn to innovation as costs rise ahead of Nampo 2026

The 2026 Nampo Harvest Day will shine a spotlight on how South African farmers are turning innovation into long-term resilience, as the sector battles rising input costs amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Nampo is held annually in Bothaville in the Free State and is one of the largest agricultural exhibitions in the Southern Hemisphere.

This year’s expo takes place from 12 to 15 May.

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Although pressures such as input and logistics costs are rising across the sector, there is a sharper focus on innovation, decision-making and longer-term planning rather than short-term survival, says Brendan Jacobs, head of agribusiness at Standard Bank’s Business and Commercial Banking unit.

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He notes that farmers are increasingly relying on practical innovation to build resilience, and that resilience in agriculture has evolved beyond managing difficult seasons.

“It is about using innovation and better information to make smarter decisions, manage risk and build farming businesses that can remain profitable,” he says.

Across the agricultural value chain, farmers are increasingly applying innovation where it delivers measurable value, including improving operational efficiency, strengthening financial planning and enhancing market access.

Standard Bank says it will engage with clients and industry stakeholders at the event as part of broader discussions on building commercially sustainable agricultural businesses.

The event attracts thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors each year, showcasing agricultural machinery and technology.

Listen: Beyond borders: Nampo 2025 wraps up

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