Conservation and Environment, Khabisi Mosunkutu, at the 45th conference of the
Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA)
27 September 2007
Programme director
Leaders and members of the AEASA
Esteemed representatives of the business sector
Invited guests
Ladies and gentlemen
I feel honoured to have been invited to this important conference and to be
given an opportunity to share some thoughts on the importance of an
organisation such as AEASA.
I first wish to thank the organisers of this event for inviting me to
participate, gain more insight into the world of the agricultural economy and
learn a thing or two directly from the experts. The one area of knowledge that
I certainly would benefit from revolves around computation of the country's
statistics, especially as these relate to the broad agricultural sector and its
contribution to the country's gross domestic product.
Reading the South African Institute of Race Relations booklet titled Fast
Facts, we are informed that agriculture, including fishery and forestry,
contributed, during 2006, 2.7 percent to the country's GDP. Reading the South
Africa Year Book 2006/2007, we are informed that primary agriculture
contributed 2.8 to the GDP during the same period. To confound understanding,
we are informed that, because of forward and backward linkages, the sector's
contribution to the GDP stands at 15 percent.
I pose the challenge of effective interaction with the country's statistics
precisely because available information always constitutes the basis of all
sound decisions. Given incorrect information leads to inappropriate
decisions.
Asking the same question perhaps differently, what is the role of
agricultural economists to the country's Strategic Plan for South African
Agriculture - a strategy that was adopted in 2001? The strategic thrust of this
strategy is to enhance global competitiveness and profitability. The strategy
also envisages sustainable resource management and equitable access for
all.
Building on this strategic plan and also relying on the White Paper on
agriculture, we have developed the Gauteng Agricultural Development Strategy
(GADS). This plan aims to, among others, accelerate development of the
biotechnology and the agro-processing industrial sectors. To this extent, we
have completed our provincial biotechnology and agro-processing strategies. We
now are focusing on strengthening public/private partnerships to kick-start
implementation and to ensure maximum impact.
The key focal areas of our biotechnology strategy include development of
resources for agricultural and environmental biotechnology. Through this
strategy, we also aim to expand research. Utilising the provincial
agro-processing strategy, we envisage further boosting available provincial
agricultural infrastructure and the beneficiation of agricultural outputs.
On the international plane, I am informed that agriculture accounts for
almost 9 percent of the total value of our country's exports, mainly to
European countries, which absorb almost 50 percent of our country's
agricultural exports. Only 26 percent of agricultural exports are sent to
African markets.
It would certainly be a gross oversight not to mention the foremost
challenges facing our country - eradication of poverty maximising use of
available resources, including agricultural resources, to improve the living
conditions of all the people of our country.
Given this scenario, I am inclined to pose the same question that I posed
earlier, perhaps in a slightly different way this time. The question I am
inclined to pose is - together as partners, what can we do to achieve these
goals? What else can we do to alter the race and gender patterns of ownership
and leadership in the agricultural sector?
Ladies and gentlemen, I know that your agenda is quite tight and my brief
really is to wish you well in your deliberations. In doing this, I wish to
assure you that our communities, especially those most marginalised, look
forward to the successful conclusion of this congress, especially as it takes
resolutions that will contribute to the betterment of their lives. I also look
forward to more positive relations between our institutions.
I thank you.
Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government, Department of Agriculture,
Conservation and Environment
27 September 2007
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gautengonline.gov.za)
