Urgent appeal to streamline work visa renewals
In the realm of food security, the steady participation of foreign experts is often a critical differentiator between stalled projects and successful harvests. Agriculture specialist Bertus Kruger has recently called on the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, and Safety and Security to ensure that renewals of work visas for foreign professionals involved in food security initiatives are processed promptly. His warning is simple but urgent: delays in renewing these visas could disrupt essential programs designed to bolster local and regional resilience in food systems.
Kruger’s concern reflects a broader policy conversation about balancing border controls with the need to retain talent in sectors that drive national safety and economic stability. When experts who contribute to soil science, crop protection, irrigation efficiency, or post-harvest technologies face hold-ups in visa renewal, the continuity of research, training, and implementation is endangered. This is particularly true in projects that rely on long-term field trials, stakeholder engagement, and cross-border knowledge transfer.
Why visa renewals matter for food security
Food security is built on predictable, data-driven progress. Foreign experts often bring specialized expertise, climate-smart farming practices, and access to international networks that accelerate technology transfer. Delays in renewing permits can lead to gaps in oversight, hinder collaboration with local partners, and slow the deployment of innovations such as drought-resistant crop varieties, precision agriculture tools, and efficient supply chains. For governments prioritizing stable food supplies and price stability, maintaining a steady influx of skilled labor is not a luxury—it is a strategic necessity.
Operational risks of delays
- Interrupted training programs for farmers and extension workers
- Loss of momentum in ongoing research trials and data collection
- Increased administrative burden on project managers
- Potential relocation of critical expertise to other regions or countries
Kruger argues that ensuring timely renewals will minimize disruption and safeguard the momentum of projects aimed at boosting yield, improving soil health, and enhancing resilience to climate shocks. By reducing approval times, authorities can reinforce the confidence of international partners and donors who fund vital agricultural research and development initiatives.
What policy-makers can do
To address these concerns, Kruger recommends several pragmatic steps. First, establish a dedicated fast-track track for visas associated with food security projects—especially those funded or co-funded by international organizations. Second, implement clear, publishable timelines for renewal decisions, with monthly progress updates to project sponsors. Third, create a liaison role linking immigration officials with project implementers, ensuring any issues are identified and resolved promptly. Finally, authorities should consider extending visas for multi-year projects to reduce administrative churn and promote continuity.
These measures would help ensure that foreign experts remain engaged in long-term strategies such as climate-adaptive farming, water-use optimization, and supply-chain resilience. They would also give participating researchers and practitioners greater certainty to plan operations across growing seasons and fiscal cycles.
What this means for projects and local partners
Reliable visa renewals have a downstream effect on training, knowledge exchange, and technology adoption. Local farmers and agribusinesses often rely on the technical leadership of foreign specialists to validate practices and calibrate equipment. When visas are renewed without delay, partnerships stay intact, and the transfer of skills accelerates. In turn, this supports local employment, stimulates regional markets, and contributes to food security goals at a national level.
In the current climate, where fluctuations in weather, pests, and market prices pose ongoing risks, timely visa renewals are a critical component of resilience. Stakeholders—including farmers’ associations, research institutes, and international funders—will likely view streamlined processes as a signal that the government prioritizes practical, science-based solutions to feed the nation.
Conclusion: A practical path forward
As Kruger emphasizes, policy adjustments should not come at the cost of security; rather, they should balance due process with the urgent needs of food security programs. By adopting fast-track renewal pathways, clear timelines, and dedicated liaison roles, the government can safeguard essential expertise, sustain momentum in critical projects, and reinforce confidence among international partners. In agriculture, where every growing season matters, timely work visa renewals are not just administrative details—they are a cornerstone of national resilience and sustainable food systems.
