Agri SA welcomes signing of the agriculture and agro-processing masterplan
[{“type”:”text”,”content”:”Agri SA played an active part in the crafting of the AAMP and we are proud of the result of these efforts. Under the leadership of dr. John Purchase, the agricultural sector has created a masterplan that provides comprehensive support to both emerging and commercial farmers. The plan takes a holistic view of the sector and addresses wide-ranging issues from land reform and infrastructure to working conditions on farms and social security for workers. nnAgri SA is satisfied that the plan that emerged from the extensive negotiation process since June 2020 reflects a balanced approach to the primary concerns of the sectoru2019s many role players. This includes ensuring South Africau2019s food security, promoting the sustainable transformation of the sector, enhancing South Africau2019s competitiveness, and creating an enabling policy environment, among others. nnThe interventions of the plan will be divided into six pillars: nn1. Resolving policy ambiguities and creating an investment-friendly environment; n1. investing in and maintaining an enabling infrastructure critical to industry; n1. providing comprehensive farmer support; n1. improving food security; n1. facilitating market expansion and promoting trade; and n1. improving localisation and reducing imports. nnMinister Didiza announced the signing of the plan during a pre-budget vote press conference on 12 May 2022, and we were happy to see that the budget tabled by the minister reflects some of the concerns addressed in the masterplan. This is especially true for the state of South Africau2019s critical infrastructure. In April 2022, Agri SA shared concerning data about the extent to which the poor state of roads in South Africa is negatively affecting farmersu2019 ability to transport produce, job seekersu2019 access to opportunities, and farmworkersu2019 ability to access services not located on farms. We are therefore pleased by the masterplanu2019s commitment to raising an estimated R9,4 billion to address infrastructure constraints, and we are encouraged by minister Didizau2019s commitment to work with the sector and other government stakeholders to address this pressing issue. nnAgri SA is, however, mindful that the masterplan is a theoretical framework and a work in progress. Several aspects of the plan will require further engagement and negotiation, and none of them can be achieved without commitment and collaboration. We are committed to working with all the signatories of the masterplan and the sector stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the plan. In the timeless words of Robert F. Kennedy: nnu201cFew will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man or woman stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he or she sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.u201d”,”position”:0,”id”:”igbmP31Y3wmONBNQ”}]