The IFP in KwaZulu Natal Legislature calls on the MEC for Agriculture and
Rural Development in KwaZulu Natal, Cyril Xaba, to urgently consider the
importance of introducing agriculture subjects in schools.

"The IFP believes that rural high schools are best placed below college
level for instruction in agriculture. Programmes must deliver consistent
quality; they must be geared towards addressing the skills needs in the
sector; they must lay the foundation for viable career-paths in agriculture.
Food security must be paramount in our decisions about agriculture," said
IFP Spokesperson on Agriculture, Mr Nhlanhla Msimango, MPL.

"We further believe that the introduction of agriculture subjects in schools
must be given strong emphasis. Obligatory manual subjects must be
introduced, vocational training must be increased and agricultural education
must be expanded in all schools in KwaZulu Natal and all over South Africa,"
continued Msimango.

"The IFP calls for emphasis to be given on instilling in all school children
a realisation of the vital part that development of the country's resources
plays in its future growth and progress and to impress upon them that
farming is, and can be, an honourable and gainful occupation," concluded
Msimango.