Sir – In the August issue of a leading South African agricultural magazine, a writer explains how the developmental needs of commercial and small scale farmers overlap and how this can be leveraged to grow the sector so that everyone benefits.
In the piece, the writer clarifies that the key to supporting agriculture at a commercial and a small scale level, lies in the ability of government to create a conducive environment for growth.
Creating a ‘business-friendly environment’ and creating new markets, value and wealth – rather than simply redistributing existing value – can be more beneficial and progressive to the sector as a whole. The decisive question that needs answering is this – how do we create a ‘business-friendly environment’ while also addressing some of the structural, redistributive and reformatory issues that face us socio-economically?
While there is no magic wand that can solve all the issues, there are however a few critical issues that can be urgently addressed which include:
– Clarity and certainty in relation to property rights and the proposals made around land expropriation without compensation
– Better and easier access to finance for commercial and small scale farmers
– Increased investment in infrastructure, in particular roads, rail and water
– Greater need for stability in the labour market
– Increased capacity of the relevant departments at our province’s points of entry in order to limit bio-security risks
– The curtailment of the increasing cost of doing business, particularly as it relates to fuel, electricity, labour and machinery
There are other pressing matters that also require attention, but which require a strong institutional foundation. These include intervention into climate change related phenomena such as droughts and changing weather patterns, improved market access as well as increased focus on export orientated production.
Agriculture and agri-processing has the potential to kick-start not only our province’s ailing economy but our country’s as a whole. However, strengthening relationships and providing stability is key and for this to happen, government will need to prioritise its interventions and start making important decisions around the way in which way it wants our economy to go, both structurally and in relation to how limited public funds are spent.
Chris Pappas, MPL – DA KZN Spokesperson on Agriculture
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.
