Date: 14/09/2004
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government
Title: S Moloto: Agriculture Summit
WELCOME ADDRESS BY MR. SELLO MOLOTO, PREMIER OF LIMPOPO, DURING THE AGRICULTURE SUMMIT, Ranch Hotel, 14 September 2004
Programme director
Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs
MECs, MPs and MPLs present here
Mayors of Districts and Local Municipalities
Traditional Leaders
Representatives of business, the Agricultural Community in particular
Distinguished guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and gentlemen
The country has once again suffered another blow in the passing away of one of our stalwarts, Ray Alexander. This has come when we are still mourning the death of yet another icon of our struggle, Oom Bey. They pass away when we were still looking forward to their guidance and stewardship in our quest to transform this country.
The people of Limpopo, indeed, share the grief with their families.
In honour and memory of these fallen giants of our movement, may I request you to stand up and observe a moment of silence?
Programme director
Agriculture has historically been a major contributor to job creation in the province. Over the years we have been witnessing the ability of this sector to create jobs gradually dwindling. Reasons given for this phenomenon depend on where one stands.
1. Others would attribute this to the ongoing transformation of the sector like the land reform programme, withdrawal of government subsidies and many other interventions
2. Others would attribute this to the rapid advancement of the ICT, and
3. Others to the development of biosphere reserves.
The fact of the matter is that all these developments are necessary and therefore have to continue. What is then needed is that the sector should find ways of adapting to these new conditions.
People in the ICT sector would argue that the previous centuries were referred to as both the agrarian and industrial ages, and these ages are now giving way to the new technological age.
We would want to argue that what has been perceived, as sunset industries, which comprised both the agrarian and industrial ages, should not be substituted by the advancement of technology. The technological advancement should instead reinforce these industries.
In responding to all these and many other challenges, our government policy in relation to agriculture and land reform is guided by and anchored on the four pillars, which are:
1. Redressing the injustices of the past,
2. Fostering national reconciliation and stability,
3. Engendering economic development and, most importantly,
4. Ensuring the household food security and alleviation of poverty.
In fact, Programme director, if these principles were to be understood by everybody as objectives driving the land reform policy, there would not be any confusion about this programme. This is because in our view these principles are compelling reasons enough for transformation of this sector. In this regard, we would appeal to everybody to revert to the White Paper on land reform and internalise these policy objectives.
We have recently had an opportunity to interact with a number of stakeholders or interest groups in the agricultural sector. We haven't heard any one of them saying they are opposed to the objectives of the land reform programme.
The concerns raised would to a large extend revolve around non substantive issues like inadequate consultation, lack of sensitivity and more importantly, the future of most of the arable and productive land after the successful completion of the land claims and processes that go with them. The other concern, which we shared with the interest groups, has been around the delays in completing this process. These uncertainties are stalling the continued productivity of the farms concerned, and the farm owners are obviously reluctant to make further investments in these properties.
Government is doing everything in its power to ensure that this process is concluded as soon as possible. The President has already set the deadline, which is very tight given the complexity of the issues involved.
We would appeal to all the stakeholders to appreciate and understand these complexities. It can only be possible for us to overcome the obstacles we are faced with if all parties co-operate. This should be done for the sake of our beloved country and future generations.
We are certainly a democratic country with the Bill of Rights as the cornerstone of our constitution. In the past ten years government has gone a long way in ensuring that the statutes governing various aspects of life are geared towards engendering the culture of human rights.
Obviously, this process has affected many sectors, the agricultural sector included, particularly around labour relations matters such as wages and better working conditions on the farms.
Programme director
As the province we are proud of the achievements we have made in the past ten years in the transformation of this sector, for example on Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD), Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and many other poverty alleviation interventions. This illustrates that the development of agriculture should not only be confined to commercial farming but equally the need to rejuvenate and revitalise subsistence farming in order to increase its capacity or contribution into the mainstream economy.
Our department of agriculture has been focusing in this area, and there has just been a summit which produced very impressive resolutions, which if implemented will go a long way in regenerating interests of many people in this sector.
It is a fact that despite the positive and diverse climatic conditions in the province, we continue to face various extremes characterised by devastating floods as experienced in 2000 or severe draught which caused a lot of damage last year. We think this is the area in which technology must come in so as to assist us with adequate responses like water harvesting and storage mechanisms for utilisation during the dark days.
It will also be important for us to employ appropriate agricultural technology, which is capable of minimising the impact of these extremes.
Programme director
We produce 60% of South Africa's tomatoes. On the other hand, Limpopo produces 33% of South Africa's oranges and 70% of its mangoes. More than 45% of the R2 Billion annual turnover of the Johannesburg fresh produce market is from Limpopo. Ironically, all these products are exported out of the province in their raw form. Very little is done to add value in the production chain. We hold a firm view that in order to increase the job creation capacity of this sector there is a need to develop both the secondary and tertiary industry in this sector.
We have said before that the greater part of the supply to Johannesburg fresh produce market comes from this province. The worrying aspect of this is the fact that even the markets to the north of our border are accessed through Johannesburg.
Truckloads move from here to Johannesburg and back through N1 to Zimbabwe and other countries to the North. We would like to implore on this summit to look into the possibilities of establishing the fresh produce market for the province to focus particularly in the market up north.
We have said that we are the Gateway to Africa, and these developments should assert our claim of being both the heartland of SADC and gateway to Africa.
Programme director
Over the past ten years we have witnessed a tendency of farm attacks and killings in the province and the country as a whole. Government continues to do all in its powers to improve security for farmers and farm workers. We have said before that whoever and wherever these perpetrators are, their actions should be condemned for what they are, and they should know that they are not pursuing anybody's interests.
We have come this far working together, we have experimented in our own unique ways and have found a winning formula. We are today a winning nation and indeed we are South Africans. The future is in our hands and it is incumbent upon us to determine our destiny and craft it our way.
Good luck!
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
14 September 2004
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government
Title: S Moloto: Agriculture Summit
WELCOME ADDRESS BY MR. SELLO MOLOTO, PREMIER OF LIMPOPO, DURING THE AGRICULTURE SUMMIT, Ranch Hotel, 14 September 2004
Programme director
Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs
MECs, MPs and MPLs present here
Mayors of Districts and Local Municipalities
Traditional Leaders
Representatives of business, the Agricultural Community in particular
Distinguished guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and gentlemen
The country has once again suffered another blow in the passing away of one of our stalwarts, Ray Alexander. This has come when we are still mourning the death of yet another icon of our struggle, Oom Bey. They pass away when we were still looking forward to their guidance and stewardship in our quest to transform this country.
The people of Limpopo, indeed, share the grief with their families.
In honour and memory of these fallen giants of our movement, may I request you to stand up and observe a moment of silence?
Programme director
Agriculture has historically been a major contributor to job creation in the province. Over the years we have been witnessing the ability of this sector to create jobs gradually dwindling. Reasons given for this phenomenon depend on where one stands.
1. Others would attribute this to the ongoing transformation of the sector like the land reform programme, withdrawal of government subsidies and many other interventions
2. Others would attribute this to the rapid advancement of the ICT, and
3. Others to the development of biosphere reserves.
The fact of the matter is that all these developments are necessary and therefore have to continue. What is then needed is that the sector should find ways of adapting to these new conditions.
People in the ICT sector would argue that the previous centuries were referred to as both the agrarian and industrial ages, and these ages are now giving way to the new technological age.
We would want to argue that what has been perceived, as sunset industries, which comprised both the agrarian and industrial ages, should not be substituted by the advancement of technology. The technological advancement should instead reinforce these industries.
In responding to all these and many other challenges, our government policy in relation to agriculture and land reform is guided by and anchored on the four pillars, which are:
1. Redressing the injustices of the past,
2. Fostering national reconciliation and stability,
3. Engendering economic development and, most importantly,
4. Ensuring the household food security and alleviation of poverty.
In fact, Programme director, if these principles were to be understood by everybody as objectives driving the land reform policy, there would not be any confusion about this programme. This is because in our view these principles are compelling reasons enough for transformation of this sector. In this regard, we would appeal to everybody to revert to the White Paper on land reform and internalise these policy objectives.
We have recently had an opportunity to interact with a number of stakeholders or interest groups in the agricultural sector. We haven't heard any one of them saying they are opposed to the objectives of the land reform programme.
The concerns raised would to a large extend revolve around non substantive issues like inadequate consultation, lack of sensitivity and more importantly, the future of most of the arable and productive land after the successful completion of the land claims and processes that go with them. The other concern, which we shared with the interest groups, has been around the delays in completing this process. These uncertainties are stalling the continued productivity of the farms concerned, and the farm owners are obviously reluctant to make further investments in these properties.
Government is doing everything in its power to ensure that this process is concluded as soon as possible. The President has already set the deadline, which is very tight given the complexity of the issues involved.
We would appeal to all the stakeholders to appreciate and understand these complexities. It can only be possible for us to overcome the obstacles we are faced with if all parties co-operate. This should be done for the sake of our beloved country and future generations.
We are certainly a democratic country with the Bill of Rights as the cornerstone of our constitution. In the past ten years government has gone a long way in ensuring that the statutes governing various aspects of life are geared towards engendering the culture of human rights.
Obviously, this process has affected many sectors, the agricultural sector included, particularly around labour relations matters such as wages and better working conditions on the farms.
Programme director
As the province we are proud of the achievements we have made in the past ten years in the transformation of this sector, for example on Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD), Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and many other poverty alleviation interventions. This illustrates that the development of agriculture should not only be confined to commercial farming but equally the need to rejuvenate and revitalise subsistence farming in order to increase its capacity or contribution into the mainstream economy.
Our department of agriculture has been focusing in this area, and there has just been a summit which produced very impressive resolutions, which if implemented will go a long way in regenerating interests of many people in this sector.
It is a fact that despite the positive and diverse climatic conditions in the province, we continue to face various extremes characterised by devastating floods as experienced in 2000 or severe draught which caused a lot of damage last year. We think this is the area in which technology must come in so as to assist us with adequate responses like water harvesting and storage mechanisms for utilisation during the dark days.
It will also be important for us to employ appropriate agricultural technology, which is capable of minimising the impact of these extremes.
Programme director
We produce 60% of South Africa's tomatoes. On the other hand, Limpopo produces 33% of South Africa's oranges and 70% of its mangoes. More than 45% of the R2 Billion annual turnover of the Johannesburg fresh produce market is from Limpopo. Ironically, all these products are exported out of the province in their raw form. Very little is done to add value in the production chain. We hold a firm view that in order to increase the job creation capacity of this sector there is a need to develop both the secondary and tertiary industry in this sector.
We have said before that the greater part of the supply to Johannesburg fresh produce market comes from this province. The worrying aspect of this is the fact that even the markets to the north of our border are accessed through Johannesburg.
Truckloads move from here to Johannesburg and back through N1 to Zimbabwe and other countries to the North. We would like to implore on this summit to look into the possibilities of establishing the fresh produce market for the province to focus particularly in the market up north.
We have said that we are the Gateway to Africa, and these developments should assert our claim of being both the heartland of SADC and gateway to Africa.
Programme director
Over the past ten years we have witnessed a tendency of farm attacks and killings in the province and the country as a whole. Government continues to do all in its powers to improve security for farmers and farm workers. We have said before that whoever and wherever these perpetrators are, their actions should be condemned for what they are, and they should know that they are not pursuing anybody's interests.
We have come this far working together, we have experimented in our own unique ways and have found a winning formula. We are today a winning nation and indeed we are South Africans. The future is in our hands and it is incumbent upon us to determine our destiny and craft it our way.
Good luck!
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
14 September 2004
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