Academics, industry insiders and experts today suggested that fostering collaboration between the government and private sector and working together as partners can proliferate the benefits of the agricultural industry. These comments were made at ActionSA’s Policy Roundtable on Agriculture, attended by a range of stakeholders from the agricultural sector.
Participants highlighted the importance of creating an enabling regulatory environment for the agricultural sector and complementing it with an operational environment in which the agricultural industry can function properly - this includes basic things such as transport infrastructure and getting our ports of trade to function properly.
Furthermore, international trade is critical for the commercial feasibility of the agricultural sector, and participants urged policymakers to prioritise logistical and trade efforts to make sure that farmers have access to international markets. This is also important given that the country imports much of its primary food goods and the export of high-value crops funds our trade balance.
The experts agree that land reform in the agriculture sector is necessary, but it must happen in a way that protects the commercial viability of the sector. Doing so requires capacity development, training and collaboration between stakeholders.
Panellists told ActionSA that there are various ways to support farmers and agricultural employees, which will require that policymakers start thinking more innovatively about providing support to the sector – including reforming the benefits provided to farm workers.
Rural safety is critical, as crime - which includes livestock and infrastructure theft and interpersonal violence – places a significant barrier to agricultural productivity and impacts the dignity of those involved in the agricultural sector.
These were just some of the suggestions put forward at our Policy Expert Discussion Panel on Agriculture held virtually today.
Almost three decades after the advent of democracy in South Africa, the farming fraternity has experienced many challenges ranging from inadequate funding and ambiguous regulatory frameworks.
This engagement was facilitated by ActionSA National Spokesperson, Lerato Ngobeni, with inputs from:
- Athol Trollip – ActionSA Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson
- Johan Dreyer - Representative of the Agricultural Community
- Jan Greyling - AgriFood Technology Researcher, Stellenbosch University
- Henri Minnaar – AgriMentor
- Elriza Theron – Advocacy and Communications Manager, Croplife
- Dirk Hanekom - CEO of Agri All Africa
- Bennie van Zyl – Transvaal Agricultural Union
ActionSA believes that it will take a multidisciplinary approach to fix South Africa, and the solution does not rest solely with politicians. We thank today’s participants for sharing their insights on how we can all work together to fix South Africa.
Together we will be able to provide a clear alternative for South Africans and usher in change in 2024. We look forward to sharing our policy positions with South Africa after our Inaugural Policy Conference taking place from 12-14 September 2023.
Issued by ActionSA