South African farming organization Agri SA has criticized government plans announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday to amend the constitution to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation.

The African National Congress (ANC) party had said in May it would "test the argument" that land redistribution without compensation is permitted under current laws.

"It has become pertinently clear that our people want the Constitution to be more explicit about expropriation of land without compensation as demonstrated in the public hearings," Ramaphosa said on Tuesday in a recorded address to the nation.

In a statement, Agri SA president Dan Kriek said the organization was currently in a consultation process where South Africans are participating in a process of review, and this week's announcement "serves only to undermine the process underway".

"SA needs more black farmers and black farms. Constitutional amendments - and even worst-case expropriation without compensation - may make for good electioneering but it doesn’t make more black farmers,” he said.

The organization said expropriation without compensation and economic growth are "diametrically contrasted – and nowhere in the world has this worked in any shape or form."

"Agrarian reform can only happen successfully working hand in hand, in partnership, with the private sector,” said Agri SA executive director Omri van Zyl.

“We have seen this movie play out all over world – Venezuela, Russia – the promise for emerging farmers of tools, fertilizer, seeds and extension services are superficial – many have promised this as election ploys– and yet the outcome is always catastrophic for agriculture and food security."

Kriek added that this was "irresponsible electioneering" and that the country's leaders should be more vigilant and responsible when it comes to the future of the economy and job creation. 

"We are a full and active participant in the upcoming ANC jobs summit – this position will not encourage us to invest in the sector to create more jobs," he said.

Van Zyl also labeled the decision as a "populist move" from the ANC and said there would be a dramatic effect on the country's commercial, residential and property investment space.