https://www.polity.org.za
Deepening Democracy through Access to Information
Home / Statements RSS ← Back
Close

Email this article

separate emails by commas, maximum limit of 4 addresses

Sponsored by

Close

Article Enquiry

DAFF: Minister Zokwana on the 2017 NAMPO harvest day and Ivory Coast deliberations

Close

Embed Video

DAFF: Minister Zokwana on the 2017 NAMPO harvest day and Ivory Coast deliberations

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana
Photo by Duane
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana

18th May 2017

ARTICLE ENQUIRY      SAVE THIS ARTICLE      EMAIL THIS ARTICLE

Font size: -+

/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

We are proud that Grain South Africa has continued with organising the NAMPO Show which is the greatest agricultural show in the southern hemisphere. This is a gathering where farmers, government officials, organised agriculture and the whole sector are introduced to new technologies, machinery, breeds and varieties that are all intended to increase production and productivity of the agricultural sector. The event also provides a unique opportunity to all manufacturers and distributors of agricultural machinery, products and services to exhibit as well as demonstrate their vast range of products to South African farmers as well as of those of other African countries.

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey as conducted by Statistics South Africa reflect that in mid 2012 there were 661 000 jobs in the agricultural sector as compared to 919 000 jobs in the last quarter of 2016. As we continue to work towards the National Development Plan target of 1 million jobs grown in the sector, we are encouraged by the current signs. We need to continue with this trajectory of growth in jobs in the sector.

Food security is critical for the well-being and survival of human kind. In South Africa, food security is a key to the survival of the 54 million people that are citizens of this country. This is the reason why it found expression as a basic right in the Constitution which is the supreme law of this country. Thus the attainment of food security at both national and household levels is protected under the Constitution.

In September 2016, DAFF and DRDLR together with all key stakeholders underwent the Operation Phakisa process in order to identify areas along various value chains that need intervention in order to unlock the great potential in the agricultural sector.

The Operation Phakisa on Agriculture and Rural Development was launched by President Zuma on 24 February 2017 at Roodeplaat in Pretoria.  I am glad that there was a dedicated work stream for grain crops at Operation Phakisa were issues that needs attention in the value chain of this commodity was thoroughly discussed by participants and stakeholders. Grain South Africa and all its affiliates will be expected to play an active role in implementation of Operation Phakisa regarding grain crops.

Advertisement


The work of the Phakisa was structured along seven workstreams namely, Grains, Livestock, Horticulture, Producer Support, Rural Development, Land Reform and Labour.  The outcome of the workstreams is represented across 27 initiatives, each addressing or contributing towards the objectives of:

  • Stimulating rural economies;
  • Ensuring equitable access to land for economic development and agrarian transformation;
  • Economic growth interventions for priority industries and commodities;
  • Identification of profitable markets and improved market access for commercial and small scale producers; and
  • Addressing fragmented and low-impact support for producers.

I am excited as post the devastating drought, there is good news on the horizon. The April 2017 report of the National Crop Estimate Committee estimates that South Africa will have total harvest of close to 14 million tons of maize this season. The report also indicates that yields for other crops of strategic importance like soybeans, dry beans, sorghum and many others are expected to be significantly higher that was harvested in the last season. These are good news which indicate that South Africa will regain its status of been a net exporter of most food crops. South African consumers will also get relief in that food prices are expected to come down. The poorest of the poor in our country who spend most of their meagre income on buying food will benefit from these developments.

The good maize harvest will also benefit other industries like poultry, the beef feedlot, manufacturing and many others. All these achievements point to the importance of the partnership between government and the private sector.

We as government take note of the important role that Grain South Africa is playing in terms of organising the grain sector as well as its efforts towards transformation with regarding to its development farmer programmes which is geared at increased the number of black grain commercial farmers. We commend Grain SA for Grain Farmer Development Association and wish to see this model replicated in other sectors.

In my visits to the exhibition stands I witnessed the innovation of our farmers which we commend. We need to introduce more innovation in agriculture so we are climate smart in our food production. I saw the research capabilities that this sector has and we need to invest more into that so we can effectively deal with the rising number of transboundary diseases and alien pests.

Real transformation is needed and can happen in the sector we just need farmers who are open and financial institutions that are prone to development and the growth of this sector. This is indeed possible as I witnessed in the land bank panel discussion I participated in.

NAMPO HARVEST DAY is attracting more international delegates who want to identify export and investment opportunities and to establish and engage government and industry networks internationally.Our engagements with Ivory Coast minister of Agriculture and Land Reform Mr. Mamadou Coulibaly Sangafowa were a success. The two countries will work closely on agriculture with our cooperation will be formalised in the MOU we will sign in November is Ivory Coast. Trade within Africa is important and we will continue to strengthen our relations with more African states in order to expand our markets and ensure we open new markets for our farmers. International Agriculture and Animal Resource Exhibition (SARA)

We are honoured as a country to be invited by Ivory Coast as the guest of the honour in upcoming International Agriculture and Animal Resource Exhibition (SARA) in Ivory Coast in November 2017.Being the guest of honour comes with big responsibilities and expectations and we are committed to live up to those.

I wish all farmers success as most of them had to deal with late rains but still managed to ensure food security for South Africans

Advertisement

 

Issued by DAFF

EMAIL THIS ARTICLE      SAVE THIS ARTICLE ARTICLE ENQUIRY

To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Comment Guidelines

 

About

Polity.org.za is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Engineering News
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa

Read more

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Polity.org.za is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options
Free daily email newsletter Register Now