Deputy Minister Bheki Cele: Closing of third AFAAS Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week

Official closing speech Honourable Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at the official closing of the 3rd AFAAS Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week combined with the 51st Annual Conference of the South African Society for Agricultural Extension on the 3rd of November 2017 at Tsogo Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotels, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Ministers of various Government Department’s with us here today
The Premier of the KwaZulu-Natal Province
MECs for Agriculture and Rural Development
Members of the Traditional Leadership Councillors
The Chairperson of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory services (AFAAS)
The President of the South African Society for Agricultural Extension Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen;

His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation address (2017) stated that, “We need to focus on a few key areas packaged as the Nine Point Plan to reignite growth so that the economy can create much-needed jobs. The focus areas include agriculture and agro-processing, mining and attracting investments”. He further mentioned that, “Our farmers went through a difficult period last year because of the drought”.

With that in mind, there is no doubt that climate change associated with global warming is widely considered to be amongst the most serious threats to environmental integrity and  sustainable development, affecting human well- being and the global economy. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, with  its  sector partners, will continue to  conduct climate change research in order to inform policy making and also to assist in determining interventions in the sector.
 
After four days of intensive discussions, presentations, debates and plenary sessions, we have come to the last formal session of the 3rd Agricultural Extension Week Conference under the theme “Scaling up Climate Smart Agriculture: integrating youth, women, and the digital revolution”. I believe that you have all learned a lot from the field visits we had on Wednesday and that you are now preparing to go back home. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the winners of the National Extension and Advisory Services Awards. I have no doubt that these awards are well-deserved and that, with the calibre of Extension Practitioners you all witnessed on Monday night, the future of the sector is in good hands. Events like this indeed present an opportunity to bring together Extension and Advisory Services Practitioners, Producers, Researchers, and institutions of higher learning in South Africa under one roof. This is in line with the recommendations of the National Policy on Extension and Advisory Services. These annual national awards also promote and create awareness of the imperative role Extension and Advisory Services play in the sector, and motivate Extension Practitioners to work even harder in their endeavours to render a professional and quality technical advice to our producers.

I further believe that this conference has given us an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge, share experiences on viable technological advancements, and to establish partnerships. I cannot overemphasise the importance of strong partnerships to improve continental challenges of poverty, food and nutrition insecurity. The idea of extension services that traditionally focused on pre- production  aspects  is  outdated;  we  need  to  broaden  the  knowledge  and
 
expertise of our Extension Practitioners in a way that enables them to participate along the full value chain. I therefore urge all of you to share the recommendations from the papers, posters and implement these at country, regional and continental levels. The outcomes should inform the research agenda, climate change and climate smart agriculture and in the long run lead to improved policies, increased investment and better institutions that will build resilient and sustainable food production systems across the continent.

The legacy projects emanating from this conference will ensure that the key issues identified are addressed in order to benefit the sector. I believe that after this conference you will go back home and implement everything you have learnt since Monday.

As we close this event, we are proud that we have hosted this successful Joint Conference. The Conference Declaration reflects issues of climate change and mitigation measures, Conservation Agriculture, food security and ICT innovation for Climate Smart Agriculture which are precisely the same issues that we as African countries are currently grappling with. Therefore this conference addressed the real issues affecting the continent and the world at large. Dr. Kgakatsi, I hope and trust that Climate Smart Agriculture Strategic Framework that you presented on Monday will assist in dealing with this challenge.

I understand that over 500 participants attended this conference with representations from various countries inside and outside the continent. The event was graced by representatives from international organisations such as
 
African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations (UN), South African Society for Agricultural Extension (SASAE) and also other departments, civil society, non- governmental organisations, farmer organisations, intergovernmental organisations (including African Union (AU) entities), researchers, academia, financing institutions, private sector and youth organisations. This demonstrates the eagerness of different stakeholders in building future resilient agriculture and food systems through extension and advisory services.

My sincere gratitude goes to the MEC of KZN Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Themba Mthembu, for hosting us and introducing our Honourable Minister, Mr Senzeni Zokwana. I would also like to recognise the good work done by our key note speaker, Dr M.N. Mangheni for gracing this conference. My biggest gratitude goes to the Executive Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Councillor Zandile Ruth Gumede for hosting and welcoming us. I also want to thank our benevolent sponsors who generously offered to support this prestigious event.

Let me also acknowledge all the chairpersons for chairing the sessions, leaders of commissions, academia and the Intelligentsia for their posters and papers; you indeed did an excellent job.

On behalf of the South African Government, I would like to complement the host organisations, Local Organising Committee, for making this Joint Conference a
 
success and also for ensuring robust discussions and participation of all members. I believe it has been a good week and a time of creating sustainable working relations by making new friends and meeting old friends. From the look at the programme, the briefings I got and the session I attended, indeed this has been a great learning and knowledge sharing experience that has enhanced everyone's knowledge.

To all foreign delegates, although, you have been here for a short period, I'm sure you will all be carrying very happy memories of this visit to South Africa, especially to Durban. Many of you may not have had the opportunity to see this province and the city itself, but this event will make the visit to South Africa always memorable.

I wish you all a safe journey back to your different destinations.

Thank you.

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