Agriculture Role-Players to Improve Partnership in Agriculture in SA

1. Agriculture Role-Players to Improve Partnership in Agriculture in SA Presented by Mr Thozi Gwanya: Chief Land Claims Commissioner on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture & Land Affairs, Ms Lulu Xingwana Agri-Outlook Conference : CSIR Conference Centre 26 OCTOBER 2007 PRETORIA

2. Greetings • Programme Director, Dr Briedenhann • Dr Herman van Schalkwyk (CEO: AMT) • DG for DLA, Mr Glen Thomas • Dr Kobus Lindeque of Monsanto • Acting CEO of Land Bank, Dr Phil Mohlahlane • Honoured Guests • Ladies & Gentlemen

3. Introduction • Let me convey the best wishes from the Minister, who could not be able to come, because of urgent commitments associated with her office. • She has asked me to deliver this message on her behalf • This Agri-Outlook Conference has continued to be a very important platform for Dialogue in the agriculture sector, you must continue to encourage all of us to talk. We are where we are today in South Africa because we agreed to talk it over into this democracy • We are a proud rainbow nation today, united behind the Wining Rugby team, die BOKKE!! We say “Viva Die Bokke Viva!!” • In this agriculture sector we must work as a team, if we are going to be counted among the nations of the world.

4. Introduction • In the short period that I have joined the sector I have declared my commitment to provide support and leadership to all those involved in the sector, from the farm laborer, to the tractor driver, to the farm-owner to the markets • I have also made myself available to go hunting with the farmers unions, (AgriSA, Nafu and TAU-SA) and none of them have taken me up on my offer! • I have attended several meetings with the farmers unions and I know that we have agreed and disagreed on a number of issues. We have agreed on the need to provide support to agriculture, so that the contribution of agriculture to economic growth can improve significantly. We have agreed on the critical importance of the agricultural Sector Plan, even TAU-SA who were not signatories of the sector plan have agreed to participate in its review as well as in the Presidential Working Group on Commercial Agriculture, which they did not before.

5. Introduction • We have disagreed on the participation of women at all levels of agriculture, from the farm to the markets. We have disagreed on the issue of farm evictions. I have disagreed with some of the farm dwellers on illegal farm occupations. I have condemned farm killings in the strongest possible terms. • I know we disagree with some of the farmers on the purpose of land reform. Some of the farmers, such as TAU-SA have expressly said that they do not support our land reform program. • A strong marriage is not measured by the non-existence of differences, but rather by the maturity with which the partners deal with their differences

6. Economic Growth & Stability Job Creation Poverty Alleviation Transformation Rapid growth Basic services (water, energy) Employment Social inequalities, focus on people & not things/ places Access and participation Human capital development Infrastructural development Beneficiation Sustainability Priorities for New Dispensation

9. Critical Issues in Sector Plan • United & prosperous agricultural sector • Equitable access & participation • Global competitiveness and profitability • Sustainable resource management • Good governance • Integrated & sustainable rural development • Knowledge management & innovation • International Cooperation • Safety & security

10. Outcomes of the Sector Plan • Creation of wealth in agriculture & rural areas • Increased sustainable employment • Increased incomes & foreign exchange earnings • Reduced poverty & inequalities in land & enterprise ownership • Improved farming efficiency • Improved national household security • Stable and safe rural communities, reduced levels of crime & violence, sustained rural development • Improved investor confidence, leading to increased domestic foreign investment in agriculture • Pride and dignity in agriculture as an occupation & sector of choice.

11. Review of Sector Plan • Review success indicators of the Sector Plan and progress made to-date, actions and omissions in all strategic pillars. We must be able to say whether or not we have met the objectives of the Sector Plan and if so, to what extent? • considerviews of the signatories to the Sector Plan regarding its implementation; • consider value chain issues on the implementation of the Sector Plan;

12. Review Sector Plan cont… • In this review we must take into account our history and ensure that issues of transformation , as captured in the AgriBEE are addressed, and thus there is broader participation and beneficiation of the previously disadvantaged people. • identify any perceived policy gaps in the Sector Plan or in its implementation; and

13. Review Sector Plan cont… • Make recommendations regarding the Sector Plan coverage or its further implementation. • Also critical are the issues of inclusivity and optimal participation of all; in the implementation of the sector plan, including TAU-SA. the Agribusiness Chamber, the South African Agricultural Processors’ Association, Women in Agriculture and Rural Development and the Food and Allied Workers’ Union etc.

14. Partnership in SA Agriculture acceptance Trust Respect commitment Successful Partnership Support Recognition Positive Attitude

15. Strategic Partners for Partnership • Organized Agriculture (Unions, including all sectors) • Emerging Farmers • Food Growers • Farm Workers and Farm dwellers • Government (esp. DoA, DLA, DTI, SARS, DPLG, SAPS, PDA, Municipalities) • Women and Youth Groups in Agriculture • Financial Institutions (Land Bank, ABSA, Sanlam, DBSA etc) • Research Institutions (ARC, OBP, Universities, HSRC, CSIR ) • Marketing & Trade Organisations (NAMC, WTO, etc)

16. Enabling Environment : Partnership • Identify sector needs that may unite the sector • Agree to disagree on specific issues • Agree on strategy to address the needs & differences • Regular focus sessions to be on the same page (shared understanding and approach) • Reviews and assessment • Support to Ministerial Advisory Council

17. Sector needs • BusinessEnvironment • Supply-Side • Demand-Side • Lack of shared vision across role players • Limited water • Scarcity of arable land • Soil degradation • Climate change • Rising input costs • Inadequate access to market information All farmers • Inadequate focus on new markets • Limited product innovation • Negative impact on competitiveness • Cost of compliance to SPS & TBT standards • High cost of compliance to labour legislation • Limited innovation in risk management 1st economy farmers • Limited access to markets • Limited access to financial services • Poor infrastructure • Inadequate basic services • Limited access to capital • Limited skills • Slow Pace of Land Reform • Limited supporting institutions • Limited settlement support 2nd economy farming challenges • Limited access to local markets

18. Conclusion • Dialogue and Negotiations led to the SA miracle • The Implementation of the Sector Plan is the test for successful partnership in the agriculture sector • Collective effort from both the Government and the sector Partners will take us where we want to go as the sector • This country has many opportunities for all of us, we must simply learn to work together in the spirit and letter of the new SA • Let me thank all those who have made constructive inputs at this conference. I hope we’ ll all make optimal use of the valuable knowledge. • I Thank You.