At Agri Western Cape’s recent annual general meeting in Rawsonville, Dr Theo de Jager, president of the World Farmers’ Organisation, highlighted examples of land reform projects across the world, and what South Africa could learn from their successes and failures.
With land reform in South Africa, it is easy for farmers to feel isolated and as if they are the first to drink from this cup. The story of land reform, however, has a long history. At the end of the Second World War, the United Nations (UN) held a major conference that had as one of its objectives the creation of a mechanism to facilitate land reform in Germany and Japan.
While land reform was designed to serve as a form of punishment to these countries, the general consensus was that the rules applied should still be valid in years to come and allow a country to achieve the widest possible impact in the shortest possible time. Broadly speaking, the agreement of 1945 stipulates that land reform should lead to economic and political stability, never be at the cost of food security, and always contribute to the alleviation of poverty.
In spite of this, talks about land reform usually evoke visions of chaos and bloodshed due to the way it unfolded in countries such as Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Brazil and the Soviet Union. The two most important issues that arise from these debates are the fairness and justifiability of land reform.
FORCE VS NEGOTIATION
In many countries, people are wondering what the implications of land reform without compensation in South Africa will mean for them. There is a perception that the way it is implemented here will have a domino effect on the rest of the world.
Land redistribution can occur in two ways:
• Forced land reform
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Farmer's Weekly 17 August 2018-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Farmer's Weekly 17 August 2018-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Review: the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4×4 GR-Sport III
The third iteration of the Hilux GR-Sport has finally achieved a sense of presence and style befitting its raceinspired branding. But is this the ultimate modern Hilux? Car Magazine takes a closer look.
Why maize prices soar in Kenya and Malawi but not Tanzania
Namhla Landani, an economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, and Arthur Khomotso Mahuma, economist and researcher at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, analyse the issue.
Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming
Wet carcass syndrome continues to take a huge financial toll on South African sheep farmers. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to two experts about the ongoing genetic research aimed at addressing this issue.
Pollination innovation
Bee-Tech Group is transforming South African agriculture with pollination technologies that boost crop yields and enhance sustainability. Founder Michiel Bruggeman spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
The valuable addition that makes this farm tick
Owning the value chain provides farmers with far more control over their produce. However, it requires a fine balance between production and ensuring there is a strong and steady market. Lindi Botha visited Rosemary Hill to find out how this essential oil producer leverages hospitality to make the farm viable.
The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems
A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers
DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his priorities for his department over the next five years, including an increased focus on biosecurity.
New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant
A recent international study explains how bread wheat has helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.
Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability
A recent academic event focused on research into the links between soil biodiversity, soil health and sustainable agriculture
What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?
Japan is facing a rice shortage amid concerns about a potential 'megaquake', several typhoons and an annual week-long holiday, which has led to an increase in panic buying.