JOHANNESBURG, January 30 (ANA) – The African National Congress (ANC) on Monday, said it had resolved that government should buy struggling but productive poultry farms in a bid to save jobs and increase food security and production.
South African chicken producers, including Rainbow Chicken, are set to retrench more than 3,500 workers in one of the largest industry jobs bloodbaths as they struggle under heavy competition from cheap imported chickens from European Union countries.
Speaking during a post-NEC (National Executive Committee) Lekgotla media briefing on Monday, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the party had resolved to pursue this as part of accelerating radical transformation of the economy and disrupt existing patterns of ownership and control.
On agriculture and land reform, Mantashe said the ANC decided to defend existing jobs and create new ones, by protecting and incentivising domestic businesses and industries.
“This includes the developmental state purchasing productive poultry farms currently being sold off in a bid to save jobs and increase food security and production,” Mantashe said.
“We need to sustain commercial agriculture and increase agricultural contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through the incremental implementation of the Maputo Declaration and increased exports.
ANA
