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"The ACDP was responding to a government report titled Department of Rural Development and Land Reform Strategic Plan 2010-2013 that proposed two future land use models for South Africa. The first model proposed declaring all productive land a national asset, implying state ownership and state decisions regarding who would work the land, for what purposes and under what conditions. The second model proposed placing a ceiling on how much land individual farmers could own while maintaining a freehold land tenure system for South Africa.

While the pro's and con's of the second proposal merit debate, the ACDP cautions that impulsive actions could take us backward at a time when it is critical to move forward successfully. Careful consideration of the impact of such a move on the lives of South Africans must be a priority.

The first proposal however creates the most concern as it threatens to unleash a steep fall in agricultural investment directly affecting employment. Small rural communities are likely to suffer and rural poverty will increase resulting in increased urban migration and further hardships.

A drastic fall in food production will affect food processing industries and agricultural supply industries and rising food prices will further negatively impact on the living standards of all South Africans.

Job creation is a national priority and we cannot afford to undervalue the role of agriculture in our economy. The number of jobs created per unit of investment is higher in agriculture than any other sector and supports 8.5 million people.

With funds allocated to land acquisition being persistently scaled back the ACDP has on occasion questioned government's intentions regarding purchasing of land. Land reform must bolster confidence and regain peak production for food security or the people of South Africa will be the losers all round.

Regrettably, past and present budgets have been inadequate to meet capacity requirements, to achieve targets in redistributing land and for making restitution."