Date: 30/07/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Agri-Western Cape Congress
EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, DELIVERING THE OPENING ADDRESS AT THE ANNUAL CONGRESS OF AGRI-WESTERN CAPE, Goudini Spa, 30 July 2003
The economic vision of our Provincial Government is captured in our commitment to iKapa eliHlumayo - growing and developing the Cape. It is a vision in which every business from the largest multinational to the smallest entrepreneur is supported and empowered in our province. We are determined to create a business climate and environment which will allow for growth, development, and greater access to the productive economy. In agriculture this means a dual focus for our Government, both on establishing sustainable new farmers, and on supporting and encouraging the growth of existing commercial farmers.
There is no doubt that one of the biggest assets of our province is the strength of our farming community. Our Provincial Government is very aware of the key role which our agricultural sector plays as an agent of growth, accounting for more than 9% of provincial employment, more than 55% of all SA agricultural exports, and 23% of the national agricultural contribution to GDP. We also know, however, that the contribution made by agriculture to the Western Cape and to South Africa goes much further than employment and the production of foodstuffs - agriculture is also the sector in our province with some of the greatest potential to bring lasting change to our society.
No Western Cape industry is better suited to illustrate how the divisions of our past can be meaningfully overcome - and to prove that our black, coloured, and white communities succeed best when working together. The fact that this Annual Congress has chosen 'Agriculture as an Agent of Change' as its theme confirms that organised agriculture in the Western Cape has recognised this potential and identified the need to address the negative perceptions and remaining imbalances in our farming communities.
One of the areas through which agriculture can meaningfully contribute to change in our rural communities is through active participation in our Provincial Government's land reform programme. In the Western Cape we have been particularly encouraged by the number of established farmers who have entered into partnerships to train, advise, and assist emerging farmers. Our approach to land reform is driven by the principles of sustainability, transparency, and responsibility and it aim to protect private property and at the same time to extend land ownership to those who have not previously had access.
Since 2001, 29 000 hectares have been transferred to emerging farmers, with almost 4000 beneficiaries of agricultural land reform assisted in the Western Cape, in partnership with National Government. Our aim is to have settled a further 3000 beneficiaries of agricultural land reform and emerging farmer initiatives by 2006. In addition, we will spend 43% of our total agriculture budget for 2003/2004 on support for the province's emerging farming sector, with the amount allocated to agricultural training increasing by 14% this year - from R20, 9 million to R23, 8 million - of which more than 50% will be allocated to the agricultural training of people from our disadvantaged communities.
Our Provincial Government knows though, that it is not only emerging farmers who need support and assistance from government - our agricultural economy depends to a large extent on the continued success of our existing commercial farmers. Any pressures which have negative effects on our established farming community will impact on the stability of our provincial economy and the growth we need in agriculture. One of the most important areas in which our Government supports established farmers is through the research and development carried out at Elsenburg College - and we urge farmers to make use of these research projects and results in their own production.
We know that one of the most pressing concerns for our farming communities has been the levels of crime directed at farms, farmers, and farm workers. The safety and security of our farming communities is a priority for our Government. We will not allow criminals to drain the lifeblood of our economy and this is why we will be adding 6000 new police to the SAPS in the province by the end of next year, with more than 1000 of these new recruits deployed in the Boland area alone.
Another issue of grave concern to farmers is the issue of agricultural land tax. Our Provincial Government has very little direct participation in the process of determining agricultural land tax policy, but we are naturally concerned about the possible negative effects this might have on agriculture in the Western Cape. We are of the opinion that should such tax be imposed by local governments, it should be done in terms of the strict and fair national guidelines set out in the Property Rates Act, and agreed upon by the widest possible range of stakeholders. We cannot allow a situation which will cause farming and agriculture, especially small-scale farming in our province to be unsustainable. This is the position which we will continue to take in our interaction with National Government on the issue.
We are also critically aware of the challenges faced by so many of our farmers with regard to the drought in parts of the Western Cape. It is only the fourth time in 152 years that the rainfall for the period April to June in the Western Cape is below 100mm and we know that this is placing considerable strain on agricultural production, especially on our almost 2 000 grain farmers and their more than 40 000 employees in the Swartland and Olifants River region. We will continue to closely monitor the rainfall situation and to work with Agri Wes-Cape to help those farming communities hardest hit by the lack of rain. The scarcity of our water resources is precisely why our Government hosted the provincial Water Summit in Stellenbosch in May this year. With growing consumption and demand for water in the province, growing annually at a rate of 3-4% for households and 1,5-2% for agriculture, our Provincial Government believes that it is crucial for us to manage our water resources more efficiently and to reduce the present demand for water if we are to secure our province's water future.
In order to address these and other challenges the agricultural community in our province is facing, we must continue to strive to find workable solutions - together. I want to reiterate the commitment of our Provincial Government to the well-being and success of our farming communities. We value and appreciate the contributions you are making to the province and its people and, as agents of change, I urge you to embrace our provincial government's vision and assist us in building a World Class Province which cares for all its people.
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp on 083-778-9923
Issued by Western Cape Provincial Government
30 July 2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Agri-Western Cape Congress
EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, DELIVERING THE OPENING ADDRESS AT THE ANNUAL CONGRESS OF AGRI-WESTERN CAPE, Goudini Spa, 30 July 2003
The economic vision of our Provincial Government is captured in our commitment to iKapa eliHlumayo - growing and developing the Cape. It is a vision in which every business from the largest multinational to the smallest entrepreneur is supported and empowered in our province. We are determined to create a business climate and environment which will allow for growth, development, and greater access to the productive economy. In agriculture this means a dual focus for our Government, both on establishing sustainable new farmers, and on supporting and encouraging the growth of existing commercial farmers.
There is no doubt that one of the biggest assets of our province is the strength of our farming community. Our Provincial Government is very aware of the key role which our agricultural sector plays as an agent of growth, accounting for more than 9% of provincial employment, more than 55% of all SA agricultural exports, and 23% of the national agricultural contribution to GDP. We also know, however, that the contribution made by agriculture to the Western Cape and to South Africa goes much further than employment and the production of foodstuffs - agriculture is also the sector in our province with some of the greatest potential to bring lasting change to our society.
No Western Cape industry is better suited to illustrate how the divisions of our past can be meaningfully overcome - and to prove that our black, coloured, and white communities succeed best when working together. The fact that this Annual Congress has chosen 'Agriculture as an Agent of Change' as its theme confirms that organised agriculture in the Western Cape has recognised this potential and identified the need to address the negative perceptions and remaining imbalances in our farming communities.
One of the areas through which agriculture can meaningfully contribute to change in our rural communities is through active participation in our Provincial Government's land reform programme. In the Western Cape we have been particularly encouraged by the number of established farmers who have entered into partnerships to train, advise, and assist emerging farmers. Our approach to land reform is driven by the principles of sustainability, transparency, and responsibility and it aim to protect private property and at the same time to extend land ownership to those who have not previously had access.
Since 2001, 29 000 hectares have been transferred to emerging farmers, with almost 4000 beneficiaries of agricultural land reform assisted in the Western Cape, in partnership with National Government. Our aim is to have settled a further 3000 beneficiaries of agricultural land reform and emerging farmer initiatives by 2006. In addition, we will spend 43% of our total agriculture budget for 2003/2004 on support for the province's emerging farming sector, with the amount allocated to agricultural training increasing by 14% this year - from R20, 9 million to R23, 8 million - of which more than 50% will be allocated to the agricultural training of people from our disadvantaged communities.
Our Provincial Government knows though, that it is not only emerging farmers who need support and assistance from government - our agricultural economy depends to a large extent on the continued success of our existing commercial farmers. Any pressures which have negative effects on our established farming community will impact on the stability of our provincial economy and the growth we need in agriculture. One of the most important areas in which our Government supports established farmers is through the research and development carried out at Elsenburg College - and we urge farmers to make use of these research projects and results in their own production.
We know that one of the most pressing concerns for our farming communities has been the levels of crime directed at farms, farmers, and farm workers. The safety and security of our farming communities is a priority for our Government. We will not allow criminals to drain the lifeblood of our economy and this is why we will be adding 6000 new police to the SAPS in the province by the end of next year, with more than 1000 of these new recruits deployed in the Boland area alone.
Another issue of grave concern to farmers is the issue of agricultural land tax. Our Provincial Government has very little direct participation in the process of determining agricultural land tax policy, but we are naturally concerned about the possible negative effects this might have on agriculture in the Western Cape. We are of the opinion that should such tax be imposed by local governments, it should be done in terms of the strict and fair national guidelines set out in the Property Rates Act, and agreed upon by the widest possible range of stakeholders. We cannot allow a situation which will cause farming and agriculture, especially small-scale farming in our province to be unsustainable. This is the position which we will continue to take in our interaction with National Government on the issue.
We are also critically aware of the challenges faced by so many of our farmers with regard to the drought in parts of the Western Cape. It is only the fourth time in 152 years that the rainfall for the period April to June in the Western Cape is below 100mm and we know that this is placing considerable strain on agricultural production, especially on our almost 2 000 grain farmers and their more than 40 000 employees in the Swartland and Olifants River region. We will continue to closely monitor the rainfall situation and to work with Agri Wes-Cape to help those farming communities hardest hit by the lack of rain. The scarcity of our water resources is precisely why our Government hosted the provincial Water Summit in Stellenbosch in May this year. With growing consumption and demand for water in the province, growing annually at a rate of 3-4% for households and 1,5-2% for agriculture, our Provincial Government believes that it is crucial for us to manage our water resources more efficiently and to reduce the present demand for water if we are to secure our province's water future.
In order to address these and other challenges the agricultural community in our province is facing, we must continue to strive to find workable solutions - together. I want to reiterate the commitment of our Provincial Government to the well-being and success of our farming communities. We value and appreciate the contributions you are making to the province and its people and, as agents of change, I urge you to embrace our provincial government's vision and assist us in building a World Class Province which cares for all its people.
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp on 083-778-9923
Issued by Western Cape Provincial Government
30 July 2003
Advertisement
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
