Welcome

Message

The 2026 Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA) will be hosted by the Limpopo Province from the 29th  September to 1st October (Full-day) 2026 at Legend Golf & Safari Resort Mokopane, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The theme of this year’s Conference is “GEOPOLITICS IN AGRICULTURE: Striking a Balance Between Policy, Markets, Food Security and Shared Prosperity “

The Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA) cordially invites researchers, academics, policymakers, postgraduate students, practitioners, and development partners to submit original research papers for the 63rd AEASA Conference 2026.

This premier annual gathering of agricultural economists provides a platform for rigorous academic exchange, policy dialogue, and interdisciplinary engagement on issues shaping agricultural and food systems in South Africa, the African continent and globally.

The 2026 AEASA conference focuses on the growing geopolitical forces reshaping agriculture, trade, technology, climate governance and food systems. As global trade tensions, input market dependencies, climate volatility, technological disruption and macroeconomic instability intensify, agricultural systems are increasingly influenced by forces beyond national borders.

The conference seeks to examine how African agricultural systems can balance:

  • Policy sovereignty and regional integration
  • Market competitiveness and food security
  • Innovation and equity
  • Environmental sustainability and productivity
  • Shared prosperity and structural transformation

Event Overview

Theme: “GEOPOLITICS IN AGRICULTURE: Striking a Balance Between Policy, Markets, Food Security and Shared Prosperity”

About the Theme

Agricultural and food systems are no longer shaped solely by domestic policy choices. Instead, they are increasingly influenced by geopolitical fragmentation, climate negotiations, global supply chain vulnerabilities, technological concentration, and shifting global power dynamics. Strategic dependencies in fertiliser, seed and energy markets; trade realignments; carbon markets; digital platform dominance; and macroeconomic instability all influence food security outcomes and agricultural development trajectories. The 63rd AEASA Conference aims to interrogate these dynamics and provide evidence-based insights into how agricultural systems can build resilience, ensure equity, and promote inclusive prosperity in an uncertain global environment.

Sub-Theme:

  • Governance, Policy and Political Economy of Food Systems
  • Markets, Value Chains, Labour and Inclusive Rural Transformation
  • Climate, Natural Resources and Resilient Agrarian Systems
  • Innovation, Technology, Equity and Knowledge Systems

Date: 29 September – 1 October 2026
Venue: Legend Golf & Safari Resort Mokopane, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Register
Event Date
1st Call for Papers 27 February 2026
2nd Call for Papers 15 April 2026
Early Bird Registration Starts 01 July 2026
      • Call for any published papers related to the theme in any other accredited journal except Agrekon.
      • Submissions of mini symposium topics
15 May 2026
Paper Submissions Open 11 May 2026
Invited Panels and Requests for Organised Symposia Open 30 April 2026
Deadline for submission of Full Papers, Invited Panels and Organised Symposium 30 June 2026
Notification of Paper, Invited Panel and Organised Symposia Acceptance 30 July 2026
Early Bird Registration Deadline 01 August 2026
Regular Registration Deadline 15 August 2026
Online Registration Closes 6 September 2026
Final Conference Program Released  
Conference Dates 29 September – 1 October 2026

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 63rd AEASA 2026 Conference is composed of representatives from universities, government departments, and professional bodies. The committee is responsible for planning, coordination, and successful delivery of the 2026 63rd AEASA conference.

1. LOC Executive Committee

  1. Dr LJ Ledwaba – Chairperson, LOC (University of Limpopo)
  2. Prof IB Oluwatayo – Vice Chairperson, LOC (University of Venda)
  3. Prof N Matthews – Deputy President, AEASA (University of the Free State)
  4. Dr R Nengovhela – Secretariat (University of Limpopo)
  5. Prof J Zuwarimwe – Vice Secretary (University of Venda)
  6. Prof GM Senyolo – AEASA Additional Member (Tshwane University of Technology)
  7. Mr CV Ndlozi – Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)
  8. Dr MA Nkoana (University of Limpopo)
  9. Dr MH Lefophane (University of Limpopo)
  10. Mrs S Makwarela (Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)
  11. Mrs ML Mathiba (Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)

2. Subcommittee Chairs and Members
2.1      Programme and Papers Subcommittee

  • Chair: Dr MA Nkoana (University of Limpopo)
  • Members:
    • Mr KT Baloi
    • Ms LV Malebati
    • Ms M Sekedi
    • Ms V Belemu
    • Prof VM Mmbengwa
    • Prof MP Senyolo
    • Dr M Tshikororo
    • Ms M Gadisi
    • Mr I Khorombi

2.2      Speakers Subcommittee

  • Chair: Dr MH Lefophane (University of Limpopo)
  • Member:
    • Prof VM mmbengwa
    • Ms Mokwete

2.3      Logistics Subcommittee

  • Chair: Mrs S Makwarela (Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)
  • Members:
    • Dr TK Thaba
    • Dr LS Gidi
    • Ms T Nevhutalu
    • Mrs F Legodi
    • Mr S Nwashe

2.4      Sponsorship Subcommittee

  • Chair: Mrs ML Mathiba (Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)
  • Member:
    • Ms NR Mafeo
    • Mr M Nkuna
    • Ms BC Mokwite

2.5      Budget Subcommittee

  • Chair: Mr N Livhebe (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development )
  • Members:
    • Dr VA Baloi
    • Mr TA Nefale
    • Mr M Nkuna

3. Additional LOC Members

  • Mr T Mathobo (Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)
  • Mr MS Nkuna (Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)
  • Mrs FD Legodi (Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)
  • Mr M Mphahlele (AEASA Newsletter Editor – NAMC)
  • Ms LV Malebati (Website Content Coordinator)
  • Ms M Moja (Events Coordinator – University of Limpopo Marketing)
  • Mr L Mokaze (Event Coordinator – University of Limpopo Marketing)
  • Mr B Doubata (Web Developer – ICT, University of Limpopo)

All travel, accommodation, subsistence, and other related costs associated with participation in the AEASA 2026 Conference are the responsibility of the delegates or their institutions, regardless of full paper acceptance.

The AEASA 2026 Conference organisers will not be held liable for any of these costs.

The conference committee cannot be held responsible for registration termination or cancellation resulting from incomplete or incorrect submissions.

2026 Featured

Keynote Speakers

  • Prof Scott D. Rozelle

    Professor of International Agricultural Policy, Stanford University, United State

    • Prof Scott D. Rozelle is Helen F. Farnsworth Professor of International Agricultural Policy and a Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.

  • Ms Trudi Hartzenberg

    Executive Director, Trade Law Centre (tralac)

    • Ms Trudi Hartzenberg is the Executive Director of the Trade Law Centre (TRALAC). She currently serves on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Chairs Advisory Committee and is a member of the Committee for Development Policy of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

  • Mr Wandile Sihlobo

    Presidential Envoy on Agriculture and Land

    • Mr Wandile Sihlobo is South Africa’s Presidential Envoy on Agriculture and Land. He is also Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and the author of three books: The Uncomfortable Truth About South Africa’s Agriculture (2025)

  • Dr Lucius Phaleng

    Trade Advisor, Animal Feed Manufacturers Association (AFMA)

    • Dr Lucius Phaleng is an Agricultural Economist and Trade Advisory Specialist with over 10 years of experience in agricultural economics, trade policy, market analysis, agribusiness development

  • Dr Ephias Mugari

    Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre for Global Change, University of Limpopo

    • Dr Ephias Mugari is an NRF-rated climate change adaptation researcher at the Centre for Global Change, University of Limpopo (South Africa), where he leads the integration of social science perspectives into research projects to enhance societal impact.

  • Mr Suwilanji Sinyangwe

    Programs Manager, FANRPAN

    • Mr Suwilanji Sinyangwe is Programs Manager at the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), the continental policy research and dialogue network headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa.

  • Ms Werna Oberholzer

    Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, Tiger Brands

    • Ms Werna Oberholzer is the Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at Tiger Brands, South Africa’s largest food manufacturer.

  • Dr Emile du Plessis

    Head: Behavioural Economics and Economic Insights, Standard Bank Group

    • Dr Emile du Plessis is a Senior Economist at Standard Bank with over 15 years’ experience in the financial services industry.

  • Mr Paul Makube

    Senior Agricultural Economist, First National Bank (FNB)

    • Mr Paul Makube is a Senior Agricultural Economist at FNB South Africa, where he leads the Agriculture Market Research team.

  • Ms Shertina Maremane

    Limpopo Provincial Head: Land Bank

    • Ms Shertina Maremane is a seasoned banking professional whose career began in 1996. Over the years, she has worked for three major banks in South Africa and currently serves as Provincial Head for Limpopo at Land Bank.

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