Digital Agriculture and Sector Transformation in South Africa

Abstract

Digitalisation is increasingly promoted as a catalyst for agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and market integration. However, there is limited systematic analysis of how digital agricultural transformation unfolds within South Africa’s institutional and socio-economic context. This study examines the trajectory, drivers, and governance implications of digitalisation in South African agriculture. Anchored in an integrated Socio-Technical Systems and Digital Agriculture Ecosystem framework, the study applies a structured qualitative document analysis of 82 academic and policy documents published between 2013 and 2025. The findings reveal highly uneven digital adoption patterns that reflect a structural dualism between capital-intensive commercial agriculture and resource-constrained smallholder systems. While South Africa has developed a relatively advanced digital policy architecture, implementation fragmentation, infrastructure constraints, and limited capacity for extension impede inclusive digital outcomes. The study contributes by integrating socio-technical and ecosystem perspectives to analyse digital transitions in emerging economies and by providing a transparent analytical protocol for document-based research. Policy implications highlight the need for coordinated governance, investment in rural connectivity, and targeted support mechanisms to ensure equitable digital transformation.