It’s a sunny winter’s Tuesday over much of Mzansi, so lets see what’s on the Food For Mzansi watch list for the day.
Today we track the 2020 BIO Africa Convention that has gone digital and is hosting minister Thoko Didiza. Also, on the list are two parliamentary committees doing work relevant to the agricultural sector. The one is hosting public hearings on the Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights Ammendment (ULTRA) Bill and the other is being briefed by the Agricultural Research Council and the Onderstepoort Biological Products facility.
1
Didiza talks at BIO Africa Convention
The 2020 edition of the BIO Africa Convention has gone digital and will today host Thoko Didiza, minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development. The session will focus on developments related to agriculture biotechnology and its impact on human health.
The free convention, that started on Monday, 24 August and finishes tomorrow, Wednesday, 26 August 2020, is a virtual gathering of the global biotech industry. The topical and insightful programme promises to encourage business development and facilitate both networking and bio partnering experiences for all attendees.
The event has dedicated sessions to agricultural biotech, medicinal cannabis and innovation in agro-processing.
Opportunities available in mainstreaming indigenous knowledge systems in areas such as African traditional medicine will also be explored. These discussions will feature Prof Nceba Gqaleni and Motlalepula Matsebisa who both have recently been appointed to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
For more details on the programme or to register, visit the BIO Africa Convention website page.
2
Public hearings on ULTRA Bill continue
The portfolio committee on agriculture, land reform and rural development continues today with its public hearings on the Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights Ammendment (ULTRA) bill. Over 100 interested parties will be making their oral submission over the next three days between 09:00 and 17:30.
In a media statement by the committee, chairperson Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela stated that over 480 submissions were received. Differing views from individuals, organisations and activist groups on the ownership of land and the right to tenure reform and tenure security have so far been heard during the hearings.
3
ARC and state veterinary briefs parliamentary committee
Both the Agricultural Research Council and the Onderstepoort Biological Products facility will today brief the National Council of Provinces select committee on land reform, environment, mineral resources and energy.
The entities will be briefing the committee on the roles that they are playing towards the development and implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies for agriculture. This, considering the country’s challenges with changing environmental pressures resulting from climate change.
The virtual meeting will start at 15:00 and continue until 18:00.
