Date: 17/12/2002
Source: Department of Agriculture
Title: Didza: Christmas message
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS
This year saw a common vision that embodied unity and prosperity for the agricultural sector, and purported equal and profitable contribution to the economy of the country.
The implementation of the Strategic Plan for South African Agriculture got underway in 2002. A communication plan has been formulated and many aspects of the plan such as food security and rural safety are already receiving attention.
The launch of the food security project earlier this year placed emphasis on food gardens. Starter packs of seeds; tools and training programmes were distributed to communities. High food prices further threatened food security in South Africa. To alleviate the plight of the poor, Government announced measures whereby subsidized maize meal was made available in partnership with Premier Foods and Metrocash. The project is still running, with Progress Milling in Limpopo announcing their commitment of 25 000 bags of maize meal for distribution at the subsidized price at the beginning of December.
The National Agricultural Research Forum (NARF) was launched in May. One of the directives in the Strategic Plan is ensuring that agricultural research efforts of the ARC, faculties of agriculture at universities, the Provincial Departments of Agriculture (PDAs) and other agricultural research institutions are coordinated and focused on strategic priorities aimed at sustained competitiveness. The Forum will be part of reaching this goal.
A NEPAD contact point has been set up in the Department in order to coordinate participation in this area. African ministers of agriculture have reached consensus that the platform of action should be the food security programme. The partners in the Strategic Plan have agreed to use NEPAD internationally to level the uneven playing field.
In May, the OIE (International Organization for Animal Health) declared South Africa a foot-and-mouth disease-free country again. The department's management of foot-and-mouth-disease (FMD) outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga demonstrated skilled leadership, scientific knowledge and technological advancement. Such an achievement indicates that we can succeed even in the face of adversity.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development was a major highlight on the calendar. One of the main activities of the Department was the development of a draft policy document on Agriculture in Sustainable Development, together with an action plan and a working document for a Farmers' Charter. The Department also hosted a number of parallel events, including one on LandCare with Australia and one on research in Africa.
As an illustration of our commitment to create awareness on food security, South Africa hosted the TeleFood Concert, an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Funds raised through this concert will be used towards sustainable projects that will help small-scale farmers produce more food for their families and communities. The Female Farmer of the Year competition again focused on the role of women in farming. The theme for this year's competition was food security for sustainable development, in line with the World Summit. In the four years since its inception the competition has become an excellent example of public and private partnerships in action.
The challenge is for people to display human goodness by taking the path to creating more harmonious and effective workplaces and communities. Their role in agriculture bears witness that there is no substitute for creativity, care for the environment, resourceful use and imaginative management tools and they do not hesitate to extend an instant compassion to those in need.
All your concerted efforts and hard work is duly recognised.
I wish you all a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. May 2003 bring only the best to you and your families.
Ms Thoko Didiza
Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs
17 December 2002
Source: Department of Agriculture (http://www.nda.agric.za/)
Source: Department of Agriculture
Title: Didza: Christmas message
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS
This year saw a common vision that embodied unity and prosperity for the agricultural sector, and purported equal and profitable contribution to the economy of the country.
The implementation of the Strategic Plan for South African Agriculture got underway in 2002. A communication plan has been formulated and many aspects of the plan such as food security and rural safety are already receiving attention.
The launch of the food security project earlier this year placed emphasis on food gardens. Starter packs of seeds; tools and training programmes were distributed to communities. High food prices further threatened food security in South Africa. To alleviate the plight of the poor, Government announced measures whereby subsidized maize meal was made available in partnership with Premier Foods and Metrocash. The project is still running, with Progress Milling in Limpopo announcing their commitment of 25 000 bags of maize meal for distribution at the subsidized price at the beginning of December.
The National Agricultural Research Forum (NARF) was launched in May. One of the directives in the Strategic Plan is ensuring that agricultural research efforts of the ARC, faculties of agriculture at universities, the Provincial Departments of Agriculture (PDAs) and other agricultural research institutions are coordinated and focused on strategic priorities aimed at sustained competitiveness. The Forum will be part of reaching this goal.
A NEPAD contact point has been set up in the Department in order to coordinate participation in this area. African ministers of agriculture have reached consensus that the platform of action should be the food security programme. The partners in the Strategic Plan have agreed to use NEPAD internationally to level the uneven playing field.
In May, the OIE (International Organization for Animal Health) declared South Africa a foot-and-mouth disease-free country again. The department's management of foot-and-mouth-disease (FMD) outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga demonstrated skilled leadership, scientific knowledge and technological advancement. Such an achievement indicates that we can succeed even in the face of adversity.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development was a major highlight on the calendar. One of the main activities of the Department was the development of a draft policy document on Agriculture in Sustainable Development, together with an action plan and a working document for a Farmers' Charter. The Department also hosted a number of parallel events, including one on LandCare with Australia and one on research in Africa.
As an illustration of our commitment to create awareness on food security, South Africa hosted the TeleFood Concert, an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Funds raised through this concert will be used towards sustainable projects that will help small-scale farmers produce more food for their families and communities. The Female Farmer of the Year competition again focused on the role of women in farming. The theme for this year's competition was food security for sustainable development, in line with the World Summit. In the four years since its inception the competition has become an excellent example of public and private partnerships in action.
The challenge is for people to display human goodness by taking the path to creating more harmonious and effective workplaces and communities. Their role in agriculture bears witness that there is no substitute for creativity, care for the environment, resourceful use and imaginative management tools and they do not hesitate to extend an instant compassion to those in need.
All your concerted efforts and hard work is duly recognised.
I wish you all a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. May 2003 bring only the best to you and your families.
Ms Thoko Didiza
Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs
17 December 2002
Source: Department of Agriculture (http://www.nda.agric.za/)
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