Addressing over 500 young farmers from across the country, minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development Thoko Didiza, has urged the youth to grab opportunities presented to them by the government.
She spoke at the second Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg where she applauded young farmers for choosing a mission to build a society with an inclusive economy and working towards a prosperous agricultural sector.
A big task ahead
Didiza said the mission young farmers of the country have taken needed to be applauded and importantly, they needed to be assisted.
“We understand that without a market, water, land and finance, a farmer will not be able to be profitable. That is why as a government, we need to create a conducive environment for you as a farmer to flourish.
“You understand that a country which cannot feed itself is not worth it’s salt. And as young people and young farmers, you have decided to take the mantle.
“You have adopted a mission of building a prosperous South Africa and as the youth of 1976, who chose the mission to liberate South Africa,” she said.
Didiza said although the government might be lacking in some areas, young people must understand that by asking for government assistance they are not asking for favours, but that the government must create a conducive environment.
“We want to hold your hand; we want to meet you halfway and assist you financially but that does not mean you as a farmer should not do the right things.
“So, we have decided that financial products need to be varied and actually respond to your needs,” she said.
‘What we offer’
According to Didiza, the department has decided that of all the transactions that were being made in terms of land acquisition, 40% of those will go to young people.
“We’ve also ensured that we create institutions that are going to support your work such as Land Bank, the Agricultural Research Council, Kagiso Trust and Independent Development Cooperation. Make use of them,” she said.
Didiza said the government understands that power cuts and climate change are having a negative impact on farming operations for all farmers. She urged young people to adapt and use seeds that will sustain their crops beyond these challenges.
“We have launched the Agro Energy Fund with the Land Bank, where we are saying for some of you, who are in operation or in a small-scale level, we are prepared to give you a grant and a loan to a cap of about R500 000.”
She added that the department will grant up to R1 million to medium-level farmers, and up to R1.5 million to the upper end.
Know what you are doing
Didiza called on farmers to dedicate time to research and information, sharing their livestock and crops to better themselves.
“If you are farming with goats, you need to know everything about goat vaccines, and what it needs so that you as a farmer can make better-informed decisions.
“The other issues that you need to deal with, particularly for those of you who are in livestock, is biosecurity and managing animal health and animal diseases,” she said.
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