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
| Event | Date |
| 1st Call for Papers | 27 February 2026 |
| 2nd Call for Papers | 15 April 2026 |
| Early Bird Registration Starts | 01 July 2026 |
|
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
- Dr LJ Ledwaba – Chairperson, LOC (University of Limpopo)
- Prof IB Oluwatayo – Vice Chairperson, LOC (University of Venda)
- Prof N Matthews – Deputy President, AEASA (University of the Free State)
- Dr R Nengovhela – Secretariat (University of Limpopo)
- Prof J Zuwarimwe – Vice Secretary (University of Venda)
- Prof GM Senyolo – AEASA Additional Member (Tshwane University of Technology)
- Mr CV Ndlozi – Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)
- Dr MA Nkoana (University of Limpopo)
- Dr MH Lefophane (University of Limpopo)
- Mrs S Makwarela (Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)
- 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)
Content to be updated.
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.
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