Agriculture's Annual Congress 2007
10 July 2007
This congress comes at a challenging time within the agricultural sector, a
time when we are working hard at bringing about equity and transformation
within the sector.
Agriculture is one the foundations upon which the economy of our province is
based. Hence I believe the theme for this congress 'Free State: Agriculture the
vehicle for the future' is appropriate and relevant. It therefore becomes
imperative that different stakeholders within this sector work cooperatively to
ensure that we continue to strengthen this sector. In order for the
agricultural sector to be successful, it has to have an effective knowledge
base of and access to local, national and international markets. It is also
important that sound agricultural economic principles are applied in all
agricultural projects.
As government we are committed to ensuring an environment that is conducive
to equitable access and participation in the agricultural sector. We have to
promote and support emerging farmers within the sector with emphasis on
economic empowerment initiatives for previously disadvantaged people.
I am indeed pleased by the work and programmes that have been undertaken by
Free State Agriculture especially its involvement in assisting and mentoring
emerging farmers across the province. Our challenge however, is to ensure that
more people gain access to these programmes and that they benefit from
them.
For us to eliminate racial discrimination in the agricultural sector and to
implement initiatives that mainstream Black South Africans in all levels of
agricultural activity and enterprises along the entire agricultural value
chain, we have to ensure that the Agri-BEE initiative becomes a success. We
therefore implore on the organised agricultural sector to partner government in
this regard
I am confident that the deliberations of this congress will help us achieve
the ideal of a prosperous agricultural sector founded on unity, mutual
cooperation and respect.
Issued by: Department of the Premier, Free State Provincial Government
10 July 2007
