Time to realign priorities

LIMPOPO – South Africa is an agricultural nation and despite a declining contribution to the GDP over the past decades, a cursory look at the popular media presents an (albeit blurred) snapshot of this industry that is ranked 33rd in world agricultural production.

Local agricultural economist Rusty Milne shared some of his views on this topic with Polokwane Observer and stated that, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), South Africa is ranked 20th in fresh fruit production, 10th in agricultural land utilised and ranked 12th for the production of maize, soybean and sugar. Furthermore, the country is 11th in world in beer production and takes up the ninth position in the world in wine production.

“We have farmers of all races – black, white, coloured and Indian, but we should have many more black farmers. It is widely acknowledged that since 1994 our land reform programme has not been successful. There are concerning few successful land distribution and tenure reform, land restitution and rural development outcomes,” Milne believes.

“Generalisations are dangerous, so here goes my few steps into the minefield! For example, South Africa has the fifth largest, but richest soccer league in Africa. Of the 10 richest soccer clubs in Africa, South Africa has three. Our Bafana Bafana and international players are known world-wide and many PSL players come from all over the continent, even beyond.

“The cricket Proteas are currently ranked fifth and have even been higher over the years. The same with our Springboks. Our soccer players, cricketers and rugby players are world class and national heroes, both black and white. Why?

“Compared to the sport above, we have no depth in agriculture. Do you know of schools that teach practical agriculture, or of agricultural matrics getting scholarships to colleges and universities? Do we have agricultural schools and colleges where talent-scouts can identify, refine and polish young farmers like they do with soccer, cricket and rugby clubs and leagues in cities, towns and townships?”

According to Milne the farmers who he knows in Limpopo, black, white and coloured, are generally conservative, cautious and have an absolute love in their hearts for agriculture.

“Every farmer wants more successful farmers in their area, irrespective of colour. It brings local stability and dampens political opportunism,” he says and adds that young white farmers often get support and help from their parents, family and the local community. “Few young black farmers are so lucky. Throughout the country far-sighted commercial farmers are trying to identify and support young black producers. Those who have that ‘love of agriculture in their hearts’. But times are tough,” Milne believes.

“We, citizens and government, require a new mindset towards agriculture. Less than 1% of the public budget is allocated to land reform. It is time that we revisit our priorities and face reality,” he concludes.