Por Alfred - Land reform in South Africa should be viewed as an economic issue rather than an ideological one – a move which would lead to improved dialogue and the creation of sound business opportunities.
This is according to Agri SA president Johannes Möller, who was speaking on the final day of the Agri Eastern Cape congress in Port Alfred on Friday.
Möller said the way forward for successful land reform could only be “in partnership”.
He said the national agricultural body was determined to lessen the distance between Agri SA and various political parties in the country, adding that a change of strategy and a holistic plan for land reform was required.
“Our role has traditionally been to formulate and communicate policy but we must also help to implement it, and not just leave it to government to do. We must facilitate that which we want done ourselves.”
Möller said this included developing training programmes for beneficiaries, a new financing model and the possible setting up of a risk assessment desk – which assessed all political, global, environmental and other threats to agriculture – in cooperation with government.
“This is an exciting new approach to agriculture and the country’s economy. However, land rights lie at the heart of the land reform issue – and we will keep fighting for the rights of our members as the basis of a sustainable economy.”
He said the agricultural sector contributed 2.6% of the GDP, which was closer to 30% with the inclusion of its value chain and related food processing industries.
“South Africa’s current economic model isn’t working. We are in dire need of a new economic model that everybody in the government and the private sector can underwrite and which is both market-driven and socially responsible.”
He said the agricultural sector had a role to play in contributing to employment opportunities and creating food security and to do so in a “socially responsible manner for all our people in South Africa.”
(GNL - for Agri EC)
