I am a farmer in Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo area. I am involved in
various sectors of agricultural production in SA. I am mainly an ostrich
farmer but also involved in the production of wine grapes, tobacco and
vegetable seed production. Most of the products we produce is being exported
and earn valuable revenue for the SA economy through the whole supply chain
that we maintain.
As chairperson of the SA Ostrichproducers' Organisation as well as
chairperson for the SA Ostrich Business Chamber, I am involved in the
management of an important sector of agriculture.
I am glad that the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs
invited organisations and individuals to submit comments on the role of the
private sector in agricultural development.
Government have many initiatives to develop the SA society and the economy
for which I have much appreciation. Some of which will make SA a great
nation to the benefit of all. However, there are initiatives that are
developed and driven to the detriment of society as well as for the economy
of SA. Agriculture plays a major role in the economy and well-being of the
SA society and has been clearly shown in the past two years with the
fluctuation in basic food prices. SA, being a major exporter of food and
commodities, play THE stabilising role in Africa. Therefore all Government
initiatives and policies that involve agriculture and its stability have to
be taken very serious for the benefit not only of SA but also as factor in
the whole of Africa.
In the light of my above argument I want to lift out a few aspect and
policies that is being driven to the detriment of agriculture in SA as well
as its society.
The role players in Agriculture as a sector are closely interwoven from the
labour force on the farms to the managers and marketers of our products. As
soon as you disturb any of these building blocks, you disturb the whole
supply chain. In competing with other countries on the international
markets, we need to be competitive to survive and to grow as sector.
Agriculture is a stabilising factor in the economy of SA, if it goes well
with this sector, it contributes to a better future for SA.
In order for the agricultural sector to play its rightful role in the SA
society and economy, it needs to grow and develop in skills and ability to
compete. What are these factors that will ensure that agriculture as an
important sector will stand up to the challenges to provide food for the SA
society as well as earn important foreign currency.
I will lift out these factors without going into much detail, as each need
special attention to really understand the role it plays in stabilising
agriculture. This can be done in more detail if so required.
Firstly I want to point out that current labour laws are destabilising
agriculture in various ways. Agriculture, being a major job creator and
supplier, is being constrained in developing new competitive products and to
maintain our competitiveness against countries where farmers receive huge
subsidies. It is hard to explain to work seekers why one can not supply them
with jobs and that they have to go and search elsewhere and in cities for
jobs. They have to move from a stable society for their families to a crime
dominating city life which they do not want to live in. The result is that
both agriculture and society loose.
Secondly the agricultural sector can only stay competitive if it has a
positive research and development drive and policy. For research and
development you need the best intellectual capital and enough resources to
support them in developing new and better technology. The private sector can
and do support that initiative but government need to see that a healthy
training and development structure is in place to support this important
sector of our economy. This will always be the supplier of new ideas,
technology and expertise to support our sector. We need to urgently look
into the shortcomings and create the necessary support structures.
A very difficult and sensitive issue in agriculture is the policy of land
reform. I understand the issues that are important in the drive for land
reform and the development of opportunities for previously disadvantaged
peoples. However, from a farmers' point of view I can not see that the
existing policy of land reform has brought any advantage to the people it
intended to. Farming and the holding of agricultural land are a huge risk
and responsibility. When you have to live and work in nature and comply to
modern financial requirements as well as all the legal requirements, and
make a decent living for your family and the labour force supporting you,
you need to be trained and prepared properly to survive as well as have the
necessary resources. With the existing drive for the redistribution of land
and empowerment, we are losing valuable productive land and resources
because we are not taking into account the requirements of modern farming
requirements and free market forces. The holding of land does not
necessarily make you a farmer. There are many sensitive issues around this
subject that government need to look into again before real development can
take place. Government drive many positive financial and marketing policies
but does not support it with the existing land reform policies. Politicians
are living in a dream world it seems about farming and the holding of farm
land as an asset. It is a much bigger responsibility than you think.
The last issue I wish to raise is the issue of prevention of crime. Crime is
destabilising all of SA society and all sectors. The same for agriculture.
It will be a wonderful day in this wonderful country of ours if violence and
crime can be contained and everyone has the opportunity to do business in a
safe environment. The problem does not lie in our crime prevention force,
that is the police force, but in the incompetence of our legal system to
remove the criminal from society. The criminal has more legal rights than
the law abiding citizen. This will never change unless government realise
this and this runs through all aspects of our legal system. This is probably
the second most important issue.
I am glad that you take public opinion also into account and hope that your
initiatives of public hearings will lead to a better society for all.