In his maiden budget speech, agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has announced R1.7 billion will be made available to support over 6 000 farmers across the country in the 2024/25 financial year. He said his department is also targeting to create 3 000 jobs for smallholder farmers.
Speaking firmly on the importance of government support to farmers, especially in rural areas, the minister said R448 million will be made available through the Llima/Letsema initiative to support 67 492 vulnerable households with food production aiming to create 9 461 jobs.
Big plans ahead
“We will re-look at the process of allocating grants and measuring their actual impact on the ground. It is crucial that farmers benefiting from these grants appear on a database.
“Going forward, funding will only flow to provinces with proper planning and accountability and payments will be made quarterly contingent on proper reporting against targets,” he said.
Steenhuisen added that he will be knocking on different government departments’ doors to ensure that farmers have the loudest voice in the room. “I undertake to use this opportunity as a chance to do something together with all role players.
“Biosecurity remains a clear challenge, especially in the poultry and livestock sub-sector, and remains a top priority for the department,” he said.
Steenhuisen noted that the year 2024 is going to mark the first season where South Africa will be able to export avocados to three new markets: Japan, China and India.
“Additionally, new markets have been opened for fresh beef and lamb in Iran, and for table grapes and citrus in Vietnam,” he added.
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Action SA member of parliament Athol Trollip called on the new minister to work with different stakeholders to revive the economy through agriculture and tackle unemployment amongst agricultural graduates.
“I strongly advise you to investigate the agri parks programme; it has tenderpreneur exploitation and there are white elephants in that initiative,” he said.
Prioritising land reform
The minister of land reform and rural development, Mzwanele Nyhontsho, also tabled his budget vote and said he would work with everyone to ensure those who have claimed the land get it back.
In addressing the issues faced by communal property associations (CPAs), Nyhontsho said his department aims to help them get their house in order as they are critical to land reform in the country.
“During this financial year, 755 CPA executives and members will receive training in line with restitution of land. We will continue supporting CPAs to address sustainability of their operations,” he said.
Portfolio committee chairperson of land reform and rural development Tsakani Shiviti said the committee supports the budget and calls on the department to work on reviving rural areas through bringing much-needed development that could lead to dealing with challenges of jobs and inequality.
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