It’s been a tough year for agriculture across the country. However, several of Mzansi’s provincial ministers for agriculture have indicated that they are ready to take 2023 by storm, some with big and bold ideas.
The agricultural sector remained resilient and sustainable with signs of continuous job creation throughout 2022, despite farmers and the broader industry facing several challenges.
But Mzansi’s MECs for agriculture are ready to take on the new year. From dilapidated infrastructure to farm safety, policy uncertainty, and access to markets; these are some of the important issues provincial heads of agriculture plan to tackle in the coming year.
Financial incentives and cannabis
Farmers in the Eastern Cape can look forward to accelerated development efforts within the cannabis industry, said Eastern Cape MEC for rural development and agrarian reform, Nonkqubela Pieters.
The MEC pointed out that their efforts would be in line with the Cannabis Master Plan through cannabis incubation in the OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities.
“We are supporting both cannabis and hemp growers with respect to license applications, training and provision of production inputs. We will continue to engage stakeholders and investors in an endeavour to develop cannabis industry in the Eastern Cape,” Pieters said.
In 2023, the province also plans to focus on developing policy and financial incentives to drive the growth in agricultural commodities.
“Despite the global and local constraints, I believe the year 2022 has shown resilience and set a good foundation for 2023,” she said.
However, the key focus in 2023 will be to develop a policy and financial incentive to drive growth in the agricultural commodities in the province, she added.
Farm safety, closer collaboration
According to Free State MEC for agriculture and rural development, Thembisa Nxangisa, farmers in the province have worked hard in standing together through trying times.
This year alone, farmers in the province have to come up against floods, raging veld fires, locusts, and foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.
“In the New Year, we must resolve with certainty that we are going to work hard as a solid team to achieve the vision and mission of the agricultural sector. This includes ensuring food security, growing incomes, real poverty reduction, widespread employment and rural development,” Nxangisa said.
“Let us all usher the year 2023 with positive, exuberant, and boisterous energy.”
Meanwhile, Dr Ivan Meyer, the minister of agriculture in the Western Cape, wants to clamp down on rural crimes.
“Rural safety remains one of our key priorities. We are determined to prevent attacks on farmers and agri-workers. In addition, we must stop the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in our rural communities,” he said.
He is of the view that an attack on anyone involved in the agriculture sector is an attack on South Africa’s economy.
Referring to veld fires, extreme heat, drownings in farm dams and water courses, Meyer added that these are also of great concern to his department.
A good year ahead
Meanwhile, the MEC for agriculture and rural development in North West, Desbo Mohono, is also looking forward to what 2023 will bring to agriculture.
“What a year it was… Sjoe” Mohono wrote in a statement shared on her twitter page.
Mohono said 2022 would not be forgotten, and that with load shedding, economic meltdowns, the coronavirus and foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, everyone is in need of a therapeutic breather.
“Let us all usher the year 2023 with positive, exuberant, and boisterous energy. Let us make hay while the sun of 2023 shines through all of us.
“May the year 2023 be filled with adventure and growth in all our farmers’ plans,” she said.
ALSO READ: Chin up, farmers! 2023 promises to be better
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