Accessing arable land and funding to establish a sustainable agribusiness is an ongoing struggle for new farmers and even those who have recently transitioned to commercial farming. As a result, land reform in South Africa has received harsh criticism.
But Partners in Agri Land Solution (Pals), a private land reform initiative, has adopted a different strategy by implementing innovative land reform and inclusive growth opportunities for agriculturalists throughout Mzansi.
In this episode, we are joined by SA Pals national organiser Lennox Plaatjies, to share more about this fascinating initiative.
Creating opportunities to grow
According to Plaatjies, SA Pals is a private sector project developed by black and white farmers for farmers. Farmers now speak with one voice and see eye to eye since they face the same issues in the farming industry, regardless of race, according to Plaatjies.
Its principles include the sharing of land opportunities and land access on a sustainable basis. To succeed in this industry, he advises farmers to network with other farmers and participates in agricultural initiatives in their communities and neighbouring areas.
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“We are saying as Pals, let’s create opportunities for them to grow economically with us as commercial farmers. Let’s develop the business acumen.”
He adds that it is vital to share financial knowledge and land ownership through programmes such as Pals, because land ownership definitely has financial benefits.
“Don’t go big when you start. But what can we do? We can set aside portions of land. Then we can decide what to do with the land or subdivide an existing piece of land and start a small project.”
Throughout the session, Plaatjies discusses:
- Why population growth in farming space is not occurring;
- Farmer protection; and
- Pals cooperative approach in conjunction with land reform.
Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.
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ALSO READ: How PALS is innovating land reform across Mzansi
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