Speaking notes by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, General Bheki Cele (MP) at the occasion of the Kwanalu 16th Annual Congress, Royal Showgrounds, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
Programme Director,
The President of Kwanalu, Mr. Michael Black,
The Vice President of Kwanalu, Mr. Phenias Gumede; The leadership of Kwanalu and all affiliates; Government representatives and Officials present: Esteemed Farmers,
Distinguished guests,
Supporting Partners and Sponsors; Members of the Media,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Sanibonani, Good Morning.
It is indeed an utmost honour for me to address this august occasion marking the 16th Annual congress of the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu). Let me take this opportunity and convey my full appreciation to the leadership of Kwanalu for extending an invitation which was received with the humility it deserves.
This congress comes at the backdrop of activities of international interest and importance within the Agriculture sector. On Tuesday I had a privilege of addressing the workshop on 'Food Safety Systems for Export" which was also attended by the New Zealand High Commissioner to South Africa, his Excellency, Mr Richard Mann.
The workshop was attended by representatives from the SADC region as well as Kenya and Uganda, in joining forces with the New Zealand government with the aim of assisting the region to increase agricultural exports as part of the overall objective towards the economic growth of the country and the region.
Ladies and gentlemen, South Africa as a developing nation needs strategic interventions and programmes that will equally address the tailbacks in the sector, while engaging on a robust approach in fulfilling the fundamental mandate as per the directives of the National Development Plan.
Our gathering here today is of significant importance in understanding the strategic direction of government in moving South Africa forward in the field of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has elevated three priority areas as our strategic focus going forward - which is Food Security, Job Creation and contribution to the GDP. Fellow farmers, the full participation and involvement of this forum is crucial in this regard in responding positively to the set objectives and targets.
In fact, the very existence of Kwanalu and other relevant stakeholders is to strengthen the existing partnership to solicit gains that will benefit the communities whilst pumping noticeable empowerment to farmers gathered here today. The growth and sustainability of the business of this forum is of mutual benefit to government, the people and farming community.
Distinguished delegates, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is standing high on the pedestal following the announcement by Statistics South Africa last month on the sectors’ contribution to averting a recession in the country.
The statistical release contained independently, compiled annual estimates of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the period 2004 to 2013 as well as an estimate for 2013 that is derived as the sum of four quarters of the year. It also includes quarterly estimates of the GDP for the period 2004 to the second quarter of 2014.
Statistics South Africa reported that the three sectors grew by 5.8 percent against a general growth of 0.5 percent by the gross domestic product (GDP). Agriculture, forestry and fisheries expanded by R19 million to R34 million. This achievement ladies and gentlemen must be sustained hence our departmental priorities talks to economic growth and significant contribution to GDP.
Exports are one of the key indicators of economic growth, the creation of new export opportunities with the BRICS group of countries was explored and a number of trade agreements and MoUs concluded. The increase in exports to Asian countries such as China, Indonesia, Japan and India has also created new export destinations for agricultural, forestry and fisheries products.
The department has developed and is implementing specific sector strategies on
agro-processing, marketing, as well as small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to facilitate employment creation, increase in per capita income and support growth of labour-intensive agro-industries, especially in rural areas and small towns.
We have noted with appreciation the involvement of Kwanalu in implementing the project which is aimed at developing young people and mentoring them to be well placed farmers. This responds directly to the priorities of government in the area of job creation particularly the youth of this country.
To this end, Agriculture has been identified as one of the key job drivers in the NDP to create a potential estimated 1 million new jobs by 2030. Job creation strategies include the development of agro-processing, marketing and small, medium and micro-enterprise (SMME) strategies to enable employment creation in support of growth of labour intensive agro-industries. Targeted programmes such as Working for Fisheries and LandCare have been utilised to further contribute to job creation and improved rural livelihoods.
The department will continue with the implementation of strategies and programmes such as Working for Fisheries, CASP, Ilima/Letsema and LandCare in the next five years to enhance the contribution of the agricultural, forestry and fisheries sectors to job creation and food security.
The department will also support the creation of job opportunities for households in agricultural smallholder schemes, agro-processing, as well as the upgrading of conditions for farm workers.
Programme Director, in addressing the challenges of food insecurity, the department developed the National Policy on Food and Nutrition Security, followed by the launch of the Fetsa Tlala Food Production Initiative to mobilise smallholder producers to increase production and to access export market opportunities through the World Food Programme.
To contribute positively towards the food security status of the country, the department supported 40 000 subsistence producers in various ways, among others, the provision of inputs, training and advisory services. A further 16 000 smallholder producers were supported through infrastructure support, training and advisory services and 901 forestry smallholder producers were supported with training and access to funding.
To meet the objective of reducing the incidence of hunger to zero by 2030, the department will continue to increase the number of hectares of land under production through the Fetsa Tlala Food Production Initiative over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period, in line with our commitment to the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for Outcome 7 on vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and food security for all.
Ladies and gentlemen, the year 2014 marks the important chapter in the history of our country where we celebrate 20 years of freedom and democracy. Indeed the country has progressed significantly in turning the tide and reversing the past imbalances within the Agricultural space. Our gathering here this morning is reflective of that milestone, however we should not loose site of the mammoth task ahead of us in ensuring that the Agricultural sector is fully transformed and that its operational mandate talks to the fundamental objectives of government.
Furthermore ladies and gentlemen, there should be high level appreciation of the gains of our democracy in this regard which calls for all us to strengthen and deepen the cause towards the betterment of our industry. The subject that is highlighted as the theme in today's agenda needs collective approach and dialogue.
The pronouncement and decisions of government in this regard has to be understood within the relevant and politically correct context. It will be important and crucial for this forum to approach the issue from a point of view of gains and benefits directly or indirectly as opposed to only highlighting the risk element to the equation.
In conclusion distinguished farmers, government fully recognises the critical role played by the Agricultural sector and your good selves as our stakeholders. The importance of dialogue in our space cannot be over emphasized.
To this end, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is hosting the Land Tenure Summit from today until the 6th of September in seeking to address the challenges facing Land Tenure reform in South Africa. It is therefore crucial for Kwanalu to participate accordingly at the summit in order to join forces towards a common goal. We are confident that the resolutions of the summit will take the developmental agenda of this government forward.
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to take this opportunity and wish you success in your deliberations as you take the discussions forward. I am looking forward to future engagements with Kwanalu as we work towards strengthening our partnership and delivering to our mandate, as we Together Move South Africa Forward!
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Nonkululeko Mbatha
Spokesperson for the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Cell: 083 645 6252
E-mail: NonkululekoM@Daff.gov.za
