Dr Sifiso Ntombela, a trade economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council, argues that, contrary to some of the suggestions in the National Development Plan, the grain and livestock industries have greater potential than the horticultural industry to create better-paying jobs and alleviate poverty.
Poverty, unemployment and water scarcity are arguably the top developmental issues that threaten social and economic stability in South Africa. Between 2011 and 2018, the unemployment rate grew from 25% to 27% and the percentage of the population living under the poverty line increased from 36% to 40%. In 2018, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) warned that the water deficit in the country could increase to 17% by 2030 due to poorly maintained water infrastructure and the effects of climate change. The DWS added that South Africa had lost 50% of its wetlands due to inadequate management of water resources.
Most developmental challenges were meant to be addressed through the National Development Plan (NDP), particularly Chapter 6, when it was adopted in 2012. This chapter envisaged an inclusive agriculture sector where substantial investment was channeled towards high-value, export-oriented and labour-intensive agricultural crops such as fruit, sugar and nuts. It also acknowledged the importance of investing in non-labour-intensive industries with significant value-chain linkages such as grains, oilseeds and livestock.
Horticultural crops (fruits, nuts, flowers and vegetables) have been praised for their potential to create jobs and generate foreign earnings for South Africa. The State of the Nation Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa in February also called for greater focus on high-value and export-oriented products to boost economic growth.
TARGETS
In the land seminar organised by the Mail & Guardian in March 2018, Prof Ferdi Meyer, director at the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy, presented his assessment on the progress made to attain NDP targets over the previous five years. He argued that the country had met its
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
