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The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (DAFF), Tina Joemat-Pettersson, received signed copies of Delivery Agreements for Outcomes Seven and Ten from stakeholders comprising of agriculture, forestry and fisheries practitioners when she attended the Service Delivery Forum yesterday in Pretoria.

The discussion centred on, the small-scale fisheries policy, the need, as articulated by the Minister, to combine efforts to increase productivity among farmers, including subsistence farmers whom she credited as potential job creating agents, and the need to be more united.

The Performance Agreement originates from 12 key outcomes that were identified by government as a priority for this term of office. Outcomes are highlighted as the primary responsibilities of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Outcome seven is a commitment to establish “vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities, with food security for all”. The targets are ambitious and call for employment on commercial farms to increase from 780 000 to 800 000. Smallholder farmers will be increased from 200 000 to 500 000 in the first of three outputs.

On the other hand, Outcome Ten commits the Minister to “Environmental assess and natural resources that are valued, protected and continually enhanced”. Out of the three outputs for this Outcome are the adaptation sector plans for agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

The purpose of the Service Delivery Forum is to invite participation in the activities that will contribute to achieving identified outputs. Parties to the forum were invited to indicate their commitment to achieving the identified outputs, to indicate what they will contribute, and when.

“The (agriculture, forestry and fisheries) industry has become central to job creation and the economic growth of our country. To drive this further, we need to encourage small-scale farmers to produce and drive economies in the areas they are working from. If we want to guarantee food security, we must encourage schools and communities to start vegetable gardens. We must all leave this meeting with one mandate, One family, One vegetable farm,” said Minister Joemat-Pettersson.