Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), together with AgriSA and Agbiz, is leading a pilot project in the Free State to assess the condition of rural roads and their impact on agricultural production and transport. The purpose of this initiative is to provide government and stakeholders with reliable, evidence-based data that can guide investment decisions, maintenance priorities, and infrastructure development in areas critical to food security and the agricultural economy.

While data on road conditions has been collected in the past, it is essential that we now gather updated, standardised information. Road networks and their usage patterns have changed significantly due to factors such as increased transport volumes, shifting production areas, and the deterioration of existing infrastructure. Collecting new data will allow us to:

• Establish a clear, up-to-date baseline of the current state of roads used for agriculture.
• Quantify the economic costs of poor infrastructure, including higher transport costs, product losses, and reduced competitiveness.
• Support the development of a nationally coordinated roads database that reflects the realities faced by farmers and agribusinesses.
• Provide credible evidence to strengthen AgriSA and Agbiz's engagements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Department of Transport (DOT) and the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL).

Although the pilot is currently focused on the Free State, this questionnaire has been extended to all provinces so that members across South Africa can contribute. By collecting national-level data, we will be able to highlight regional disparities, identify priority routes, and build a case for targeted interventions that benefit the sector as a whole.