KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union

1. KwanaluCongress 2012 KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union • Po Box 100123 • Scottsville. 3209 • 033-3429393 • 033-3457141 • sandy@kwanalu.co.za

2. Introduction • Kwanalu is an independent, non governmental, voluntary organisation of farmers and rural citizens united to analyze their issues and formulate action to solve these issues.

3. General Overview • Agriculture’s contribution to (GDP) has shrunk • 10.3% in 1967 to 2.5% in 2010 • No of people employed in the sector has dropped (41%) • 1.1 million in 2004 to 624 000 in 2011. • Agricultural sector accounted for • 9.1% of all jobs in 2004, but only 4.7% in 2011. • As a proportion of total employment, the sector fell from contributing • 9% of all jobs to 5% over the same period.

4. A small and gradually dwindling number of commercial farmers account • 95% of South Africa’s locally-produced food. • Farms that are run as private companies (as opposed to those which are individually owned), make up • 5% of all commercial farming units, • but account for a third of commercial farming income. • These types of farms also employ the most people per farm, and pay the highest wages.

5. Commercial Farming Units by type of Ownership, 2007 (Stats SA)

6. Commercial Farming Units by contribution to gross farming income (Stats SA)

7. KwaZulu-Natal • Primary sector • agriculture contributes about 4.4% to provincial GVA • KZN produces almost 30% of national agricultural output KZN contributes significantly towards creating formal and informal employment, while providing food security in South Africa. • 30%+ of KZN GVA in the manufacturing sector can be attributed to • food, beverages and tobacco and • wood and paper • Primary agricultural sector contributes over • 7.5% to total employment within all districts besides eThekwini and Amajuba, specifically contributing just over 12% to total employment in uMzinyathi and Sisonke

8. Concerns • Insecurity of tenure • Protection of productive agricultural land and resources • Mining and development • Slow pace and failure of land reform programmes; • Restitution, labour tenancy etc. • Delays in gaining access to Ingonyama Trust land • Security of tenure • The rising cost of capital and other input costs • Eg. electricity , water, labour etc. • Skills shortages • Research & Development • Lack of qualified scientists, specialists etc. • Vetinaryservices • Lack of qualified skilled & trained staff • Disease prevention, control, management

9. Disaster management • Reaction and Response poor • Development of emerging commercial farmers • Assistance and support by stakeholders is lacking • Safety and security • High levels of crime • Vulnerability in rural areas • Land invasions • Rights abuse • Governance and Policy • Corruption and fraud • Realistic policies • Infrastructure • Rail, road etc.

10. Opportunities • Spirit of goodwill in the agricultural sector • High compliance with legislation • Own initiatives • Mentoring • Project development • BEE deals • Housing, water and other supply • Well positioned • Strong well organised institutional structure

11. Conclusion • Kwanalu strives for the general welfare of all aspects of farm and rural life through economic opportunity, social advancement and educational improvement. • Kwanalu takes the stand that property rights and personal freedom are guaranteed by the South African Constitution and are essential to the general welfare and these freedoms and should be defended. • We believe that economic progress is best achieved in a free market system.