It is election day in Mzansi, a pivotal moment that promises to shape the country’s future and the agricultural sector. As South Africans head to the polls, some of the nation’s foremost agricultural leaders shared their insights through Food For Mzansi’s Election 2024 Thought Leader series: Agriculture at the dawn of political change.
This series captures the voices of key figures in the agricultural sector, highlighting the critical intersections between politics, policy, and agriculture. Here’s what they had to say.
Sustainable fruit industry needs policy alignment
Fhumulani Ratshitanga, the CEO of Fruit SA, unpacks why the South African fresh fruit industry’s success in international markets heavily relies on government support through favourable trade agreements and policies.
The industry faces significant challenges, including port inefficiencies and market access negotiations.
Collaboration between the industry and government is essential for job creation, infrastructure development, and mitigating economic pressures from wage increases. Prioritising agriculture is crucial for economic growth and rural community sustainability, writes Ratshitanga.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE: ‘Fruit industry ripe for growth, needs govt policy reform’
Policy implementation, collaboration vital for agriculture
Chief economist at Agbiz, Wandile Sihlobo’s key message is that South Africa’s agricultural sector requires effective implementation of existing policies rather than new ones.
The Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) offers a framework for growth but faces slow implementation due to various crises and lack of collaboration.
Addressing infrastructure issues, export market challenges, and ensuring consistent government-industry collaboration are essential. Despite current challenges, strategic focus on logistics and market access can enhance agricultural growth and employment, he says.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE: Agricultural growth hinges on policy execution – Sihlobo
Public-private partnerships crucial for sustainable agriculture
Agriculture is vital for South Africa’s economy and rural communities. Effective collaboration between the government, private sector, and other stakeholders is crucial to address infrastructure, market access, and policy implementation challenges, warns Leona Archary, CEO of the Agricultural Development Agency (Agda).
She says prioritising public-private partnerships, fostering small-scale farming, and ensuring sustainable land reform are essential for inclusive growth. South Africa must also engage globally to enhance food security and trade opportunities, positioning itself as a leader in agriculture.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE: Collaboration is key to agriculture’s long-term growth
Land reform: Effective policies but poor implementation
The 2024 national elections in South Africa are pivotal for the country’s future, writes Peter Setou, CEO of the Vumelana Advisory Fund.
South Africa’s longstanding challenges, including unemployment, poverty, and land redistribution, persist alongside new issues like electricity shortages and crime. Effective policies exist but suffer from poor implementation, says Setou.
The Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP) is a key initiative that needs revival to enhance rural development and food security. Despite its importance, political parties are neglecting innovative land reform policies. Effective land reform is essential for social cohesion and economic stability, Setou explains.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE: ‘Land reform needs action, not just plans’
Future agri success looks like…
Despite positive macroeconomic indicators, the agricultural sector remains divided, writes Dr Sifiso Ntombela, special advisor to the minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development.
The liberalisation and deregulation of South African agriculture post-1994 have benefitted commercial farmers but left small-scale and subsistence farmers struggling.
Future success depends on expanding export markets, improving biosecurity, and making agriculture climate-resilient. Financial support, particularly affordable credit, is crucial for transforming small-scale farming.
Government initiatives like the blended finance scheme and Covid-19 relief programmes have shown promise but need expansion and sustained funding to support black farmers and ensure equitable growth.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE: ‘Agriculture has many successes but we can’t ignore inequalities’
Threats to success of fresh produce industry
South Africa’s fresh produce industry thrives without government subsidies, thanks to an effective open market system. However, poor management of national fresh produce markets (NFPMs), infrastructure issues, and operational frictions threaten this success, writes Jaco Oosthuizen, CEO of the RSA Group
Policy focus should shift from new initiatives to maintaining and improving the basics — market management, infrastructure, and utilities. Effective execution of these fundamentals will support new-era farmers, sustain the agricultural sector’s growth, and drive economic development. Public-private partnerships and policy enforcement are critical for ensuring the system’s sustainability.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE: ‘Fix the basics, save fresh produce markets’
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