agricultural CEOs
9 June 2006
The Agricultural CEO Forum has met in Pretoria yesterday. At this meeting
the forum discussed three projects in terms of the Accelerated and Shared
Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA), namely to assess the enabling
conditions to make the bio-fuels initiative an economic success; to improve the
coherence and effectiveness of regional trade and investment; and innovative
developments in agrarian reform and accelerating land reform. The Forum was
informed that with innovation and joint pro-active initiatives such as those
presented by Inkezo, Afgri, the DirectorâGeneral of Land Affairs supported by
new memoranda of understanding with stakeholders and other constructive
developments regarding agrarian reform, governmentâs 30% redistribution target
was feasible and could be met even before the 2014 deadline. The meeting also
adopted in principle the terms of reference, which will guide it.
At this meeting the Director-General of Agriculture Mr Masiphula Mbongwa,
who is also the Chairperson of the forum, received from the grain industry the
Customised Grain Industry Strategy that the industry had developed in
partnership with government. Mr Mbongwa indicated that his Department had
accepted the strategy and indicated that it would guide the partnership between
the industry and government in achieving the goals of accelerated and shared
growth. Mr Anton Kruger, representing the ostrich industry, presented the
Director-General with a report on the successful implementation of a new
collaborative disease surveillance system developed between the ostrich
industry and the Department of Agriculture to assist in managing and combating
risks in the industry. In acceptance speech the Director-General said, âThis
showcasing attests to the success and realities of public private partnerships
which government has been calling forâ.
The Forum underlined the importance of agriculture in society, noting that
every citizen was dependant on a daily basis on South African agriculture. The
Sector also provides some 20 % of the jobs in the country.
The meeting culminated with the welcoming dinner of the new minister of
Agriculture and Land Affairs Ms Lulu Xingwana. At this function the Minister
received words of support from the three organised farmer unions, the Food and
Allied Workers Union (FAWU), the business sector, the Agricultural Business
Chamber and the Agricultural Processors Association. Minister Xingwana said
that she was impressed by the magnanimity of all the role players who showed
support to her appointment and this will go a long way to fast track the
agrarian reform in this country.
The Forum was established last year in November and its membership is made
up of CEOs of companies, associations and relevant government units related to
the entire agricultural value chain, chief executives of public entities, and
heads of government departments at national and provincial level. The Forum is
focused on implementation of agriculture related programmes or initiatives
linked to shared growth in the agriculture sector.
Contact: Steve Galane
Tel: 012 319 7312 / Cell: 083 635 7346
E-mail:smais@nda.agric.za
Web: http://www.nda.agric.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture
9 June 2006
