Historically, agriculture in South Africa has long been shaped by colonialism and apartheid, fostering land ownership disparities. Post-apartheid, the country strives for inclusive growth and rural development to address past injustices and empower all citizens.
During the second day of the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba held at Lavender Kontrei Market in Pretoria North, agri leaders delved into the stories of farmers, policymakers, innovators, and communities shaping the future of food production and rural livelihoods with a key focus on transformation.
‘We are intentional’
At a panel discussion on transformation in the agricultural sector, chief executive officer of Daybreak Farms Richard Manzini said it was important that black and young farmers become part of the entire value chain in the poultry industry.
He added that this is a mission he and his team have invested in and they are hopeful that with collaboration from all role players, it would be realised as the transformation agenda is not an overnight achievement.
“Opportunities sit very well and we want to empower breeders, broiler producers, feed producers, traders or retailers, and even importers, and give them an off-take opportunity to be recognised by banking institutions,” he said.
Manzini shed light on the importance of good quality in the production of poultry and poultry products. He said they have put strict measures and rules in place so poultry farmers in his ecosystem produce good-quality chickens.
For him, young and black farmers must produce the best chicken possible so that they can be able to participate in the broader value chain of the poultry industry and not just be spectators.
“We love seeing black and young farmers in our ecosystem doing better than their counterparts,” he said.
Kgampi Bapela, the head of agro-processing and agriculture at the Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC), said the organisation has been intentional in agricultural transformation and the Poultry Master Plan (PMP) is an example of an initiative aimed at creating more commercial farmers.
“Today, black farmers are now able to deliver 100 million birds per cycle and nine out of ten of those farmers are newly founded farmers who have gone to suppress other farmers in their cycle. These are the stories we want to hear and it can only be possible if we all work together.
“Not all black farmers should be emerging farmers and I am excited to see more young people and women move into the agri sector, because transformation will not happen on its own. It needs us to actualise it and be truthful about it,” he said.
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Land transfer as a tool of transformation
Piet Potgieter, the manager of agricultural development at VKB, believes South Africa has succeeded in its initiative of land transfer, adding that the country has managed to successfully transfer land as a means of achieving transformation in the agri sector.
Nonetheless, he added, more effort is still needed and it is platforms such as the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba that could connect farmers and institutions that could lead to a breakthrough.
“However, it is important that the private sector be more involved. It is important that as stakeholders we align and find solutions of supporting farmers who do not have acquired the land and help them become successful in their business,” he said.
He explained that two million hectares of land have been transferred through private business, however, it is important that land is not just transferred but farmers should also be assisted and supported to succeed.
Potgieter said young farmers who now have land should be helped to reach commercialisation, and connecting them and big commercial farmers will be crucial in building beneficial partnerships.
“For us to get successful transformation we need to come up with solutions. We need to work together and we need to ensure that everyone is on the same page, that is the only way we will get this thing right,” he stressed.
Potato industry supporting farmers
According to Mzimasi Jalisa, a Potatoes SA board member, transformation is a pivotal point for Potatoes SA and through the leadership of Rendani Murovhi, the Potatoes SA transformation manager, the Enterprise Development Programme has been made available.
Jalisa explained that the programme is aimed at transforming more black small-scale potato farmers into commercial farmers by supplying potato seeds and support.
“The good thing, though, is that there is now a movement towards being more visible to black and young farmers as Potato SA. We even had trial lessons where we gathered young and small-scale farmers and showed them how to plant their potatoes properly.”
He encouraged young farmers to apply for the programme and make sure of the requirements needed so they can get the support they need to become successful potato producers.
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