“No farmer will lose his land as a result of the land reform policy,” said the minister of agriculture forestry and fisheries, Mr Senzeni Zokwana, at the FERTASA (Fertilizer Association of Southern Africa) annual congress in Cape Town. He paid tribute to the fertilizer industry as the largest and one of the most important components to ensure that abundant and affordable food is available for a growing population.

The government recognises that in order to continue to ensure food security in South Africa, we will need to work in a collaborative effort, he added.

“To this end I call on FERTASA to engage more frequently with me to address the challenges that the industry faces. There are already areas, particular regulatory issues, in which the industry and government collaborate. However, I wish we can do more in a collaborative manner concerning other issues such as:

·         Empowering small-scale farmers to ensure their contribution to food security.
·         Research and development.
·         Export of fertilizers to the rest of the continent.”

“There is a need for all of us to commit ourselves to work together to address issues that are of mutual interest,” he emphasised.

Issued by The Department of  Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries