Cape Town - Commercial farmers will have the next five years to work with government at a meaningful level, following years of discord between government and themselves.
This is the view expressed by Pieter Mulder, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing, in a speech delivered to the annual Agricultural Outlook Conference.
Land, however, remains a burning issue affecting commercial farmers' prospects, but he reckons there is now a greater degree of realism in this regard.
This can be seen from government officials' acknowledgement that 49% of resettlement projects are not making the grade.
There have also been positive pronouncements by President Jacob Zuma regarding the role that commercial farmers must play to ensure national food security.
Mulder says balance needs to be found in the relationship between commercial farmers and subsistence farmers, as both have a role in ensuring the country's survival.
Apart from the more positive climate developing between government and commercial farmers, there is also a growing realisation that farmers are not the ones causing the high food prices, but that the snag lies elsewhere in the food chain.
Referring to the land issue and the government's misgivings about the willing buyer, willing seller concept, Mulder says he thinks the ANC is looking for a solution in the wrong place.
One of the misconceptions is that ownership of land implies wealth.
Although over the next five years commercial farmers will be presented with opportunities, Mulder nevertheless highlighted a number of challenges for the sector.
One is that agriculture's direct contribution to the country's gross domestic product is on the decline, and it is not generally understood that agriculture contribute more.
There is also the problem of the skills required in the agricultural sector, which is becoming increasingly specialised.
Attention needs to be given to the implementation of mentorships.
Mulder also referred to the stereotyping and generalisation of commercial farmers and their role, and their being regarded as part of the problem and not part of the solution.
The opening up of African and European markets offers further challenges for the agricultural sector, contributing to Mulder's positive outlook for the agricultural sector.
- Sake24.com
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