Agri Limpopo is opgewonde oor die nuwe aanslag wat President Cyril Ramaphosa op die strukturele ekonomiese probleme soos armoede, werkloosheid en ‘n lae investeringsaptyt in Suid Afrika het, en is daartoe verbind om met sy strewe tot ekonomiese groei saam te werk.

Dit lyk en klink allerweë of hy bereid is om die sweep te klap teen korrupsie, nepotisme en wanadministrasie, wat Limpopo oor die afgelope dekade gekniehalter het.

Vanwee die praktyk van kaderoptplooiïng lê die wortels van hierdie probleme diep in die samestelling van bykans elke departement, en dit sal meer as net die regte uitsprake kos om daarvan ontslae te raak.

Dit is steeds ‘n raaisel hoe die ANC hoop om investering, werkskepping, ekonomiese groei en verhoogde produksie in die landbousektor te stimuleer met ‘n beleid van onteiening sonder vergoeding! Kapitaal is so skugter soos ‘n koedoe, en as dit skrik, hardloop dit weg. Hierdie beleid van die ANC skep juis die onsekerheid wat investering en groei inhibeer.

Hoewel dit deur ‘n resolusie en meerderheidstem die amptelike beleid van die ANC geword het, is die Nasionale Ontwikkelingsplan op dieselfde wyse in 2012 in Mangaung eenparig as ANC beleid aanvaar. Hierdie plan is nie met onteiening sonder vergoeding versoenbaar nie, en die grondhervormingsplan in Hoofstuk 6 daarvan is sedert 2012 nooit met implementeringsprogramme of ‘n begroting ondersteun nie.

President Ramaphosa was destyds die voorsitter van die Nasionale Beplanningskommissie wat die plan geformuleer het, en is bewus van talle pogings wat deur privaatsektorbelanghebbendes soos Agri Limpopo, landboubesighede, Landbank, ander banke en buitelandse investeerders geloods is om die Hoofstuk 6-plan te laat werk.

Die vennootskapgebasseerde grondhervormingsmodel van die NOP is steeds die enigste plan wat wye steun onder politieke partye en die privaatsektor geniet, en tot dusver met ‘n 100% suksessyfer geïmplementeer is. Dit maak onteiening sonder vergoeding oorbodig en sinneloos.

Agri Limpopo doen weereens ‘n beroep op President Ramaphosa om landbouleiers oor ‘n wye spektrum te betrek by gesprekke oor die beste manier om die landbousektor te ontwikkel in SA.

Navrae:
Dr Theo de Jager – Agri Limpopo Landbou-ontwikkelingskomitee 082 332 2110
Willem van Jaarsveld HUB agri Limpopo 082 451 7913

The post Agri Limpopo Mediaverklaring – SONA 2018 appeared first on Agri Limpopo.

The tabling of the annual national budget speech has proven to be one of the most anticipated events in South Africa. Along with the positive changes that are currently taking place in the political landscape, the February 2018 budget speech is set to attract not only the attention of business and individuals inside the borders of South Africa but also those outside the country.

Rating agencies will be watching the event like hawks. According to Dan Kriek, President of Agri SA, South Africa faces the risk of further credit downgrades if the budget speech is not palatable to the ratings agencies. Accordingly, the budget will have to reassure ratings agencies that South Africa is committed to maintaining the credibility of the fiscal framework and the expenditure ceiling.

According to the medium-term budget policy statement delivered in October last year, South Africa will have tax revenue shortfalls of around R50.8 billion for 2017 and R69.3 billion for 2018. By 2020/21, approximately 15% of the government’s revenue will go towards paying off debt. The country’s deficit is projected to be 61% of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2022.

The funding of free tertiary education[2] and struggling state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are key considerations for the upcoming budget. South African Airways (SAA) and Eskom are examples of SOEs that place a significant burden on the fiscus. It is estimated that SAA will need funding of approximately R8 billion by March 2018 and Eskom around R20 billion by May/June 2018.

The budget will have to give a clear indication of the specific steps and strategies that will be used to ensure that the growing budget deficit is reined in. Subdued economic growth, limits the potential for significant tax increases without further curtailing economic growth. The World Bank projects that South African GDP growth will reach 1.1 percent in 2018 and 1.7 in 2019/20.

However, taxes are expected to rise by at least R30 billion. Agri SA hopes that expenditure cuts, particularly of wasteful expenditures, and efficiency measures will form a significant component of the specific steps and strategies to be outlined in the budget speech. Any tax increases should consider the existing burden on an already constrained tax base.

Whilst improving access to tertiary education is a noteworthy goal, improving the effectiveness of existing spending on education, for example, to improve the quality of primary and secondary education should also be considered. Steps to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of SOEs is crucial. Wasteful expenditure should be eliminated and excessive compensation to the senior management of struggling SOEs must be re-evaluated.

Unfortunately, agriculture received relatively little attention in the medium term budget policy statement (MTBPS) of October last year. Agriculture was the best performer across the first three quarters of 2017 and was the largest contributor to our 2% GDP growth in the third quarter. The MTBPS made no mention of agriculture’s contribution to economic growth nor the plight of farmers affected by ongoing droughts. Worryingly, the contingency reserve was pared down to a meagre R16 billion over the next three years. It was unclear how this will have an impact on emergency assistance for crises such as the persistent drought.

The drought situation in the Eastern, Northern, and particularly in the Western Cape remains the major risk to food production, its effect on the economy is begging to show itself and something needs to be done urgently.

Agri SA hopes that agriculture will receive greater attention in the 2018 budget. Agri SA recommends that the budget make adequate resources available to ease the impact of the drought on farmers and to provide the necessary infrastructure to help boost agriculture’s competitiveness and subsequently improve food production and job opportunities in the sector.

2 For students from households with a combined annual income of R350 000.

Issued by Agri SA, Directorate:  Corporate Liaison

Enquiries:

Dr Requier Wait, Head: Economics & Trade, Agri SA, 012-643 3400 or 073 304 0932

Mr Hamlet Hlomendlini, Chief Economist, Agri SA, 012-643 3400 or 082 957 9064

The post Agri SA’s expectations for the 2018 budget speech appeared first on Agri Limpopo.

This week the land debate that relates to expropriation without compensation was a focal point of the Grain SA congress.  In true democratic style the floor was opened to accommodate a variety of views on the topic.  “It was good to understand the hearts and minds of people and we welcomed a very constructive debate” Dan Kriek President of Agri SA mentioned. 

From a farming perspective it is essential to protect the constitution and property rights.  Grain SA managed to reach consensus on very important principles with the fundamentals of sustainability and food security being top of mind.  “We will continue with this debate and will continue to understand and make constructive contributions as the example was set in Grain SA’s congress” Kriek remarked.     

The final outcome was that Grain SA supported land reform in a sustainable manner to maintain economic growth and food security. The different groupings agreed that the dialog on land reform will continue whilst the current Constitution is upheld.

“In the end this is not just about farming and agriculture but the founding principles in our democracy that is at stake, we take these conversations very serious and we fully support Grain SA in their endeavors” Kriek said.

Issued by Agri SA, Directorate: Corporate Liaison

Enquiries

Mr Dan Kriek, President Agri SA, 082 944 0566

Mr Omri van Zyl, Executive Director, Agri SA, 012-643 3400 or 082 417 5724

The post Agri SA Media Release: The land debate continues on a positive note at the Grain SA congress appeared first on Agri Limpopo.

“Several farmers and farm labourers were brutally assaulted and that is why we call on the farming community to further sharpen their vigilance. Within Agri SA and our provincial organisations we will do everything in our power to curb crime,” said Agri SA President Dan Kriek.

Agri SA has already approached the newly appointed Minister of Police as well as the National Commissioner to urgently discuss the ongoing farm violence and the impact thereof on farming communities. Aspects such as, finalising the revised Rural Protection Strategy as well as the reservist system will be subjects for discussion. A well-functioning reservist system that is accessible for members of the farming community forms the backbone to rural protection.

Agri SA remains committed to finding a solution in cooperation with established authority- and civil society structures. Even though there has been significant international interest on farm attacks, South African farmers do not seek assurance from abroad, but rather from their own government.

Farmworkers and farmers are highly valuable resources who are necessary to ensure food security and rural stability in South Africa. This is why they need to be properly protected to ensure there is food for the nation, something they manage to do extremely well.”

Queries

The post Press Release: Urgent Action Needed Against Farm Attacks appeared first on Agri Limpopo.

On 3 May 2018 Agri SA announced that that it had formally launched a dedicated Water Desk that will focus on the need to ensure equitable access to water for farmers across South Africa. This initiative is in response to a host of external challenges facing agricultural water users, including severe drought, climate change and under-maintained infrastructure. The situation is all the more urgent given several policy proposals that may simultaneously increase the cost of water while reducing the availability to agricultural users.

The Agri SA Water Desk will, amongst other things, focus on water policy and legislative proposals such as the draft National Water and Sanitation Master Plan and the National Water Resource Strategy. The current amendments to the National Water Act, for example, will determine the cost of water for agricultural users, which is why it is necessary to engage with government and other key stakeholders from the start to work towards a fair outcome. The Agri SA Water Desk will also give inputs to the Water Research Commission (WRC) on research priorities and will act as a forum for top water experts to share their insights in a meaningful way.

The Agri SA Water Desk will be led by Janse Rabie, an environmental lawyer and Head of Agri SA’s Natural Resources Centre of Excellence and Gregory Smith, a water scientist. “The Agri SA Water Desk will be a one-stop-shop for Agri SA members, where they can get up to date information and advice on all things water-related,” said Janse Rabie. “Given the complexity of water rights and the fast-changing policy environment, we believe that a dedicated Water Desk is the best way to enable agricultural water users to stay abreast of all legal developments which will have an impact on the way they farm and do business.”

“Agri SA is at the forefront of legislative and policy development regarding the water sector in South Africa. Agri SA strives to support government in this fundamental area through collaboration with key stakeholders and timely and well-researched inputs to policy development,” said Dan Kriek, President of Agri SA.

Agri SA invites its members, and interested parties, to contact the Agri SA Water Desk to find out how they can get involved.

Queries

The post Agri SA Press Release: Agri SA Launches Water Desk appeared first on Agri Limpopo.

“I got to know Schalk with Free State Agriculture. He was active for four years at the Free State Agriculture executive committee in spite of various other responsibilities. I also co-opted Schalk to the day-management of Free State Agriculture and his contribution was priceless throughout. I will remember him as a true gentleman and also an impressive orator. He had exceptional finesse and could handle any matter calmly and so doing find consensus,” said Dan Kriek, President of Agri SA. “He was a man of true integrity and I will truly miss him. South Africa’s agricultural producers owes a debt of gratitude to Schalk.”

The Agri SA management and personnel extends their best wishes to Schalk’s family in these difficult times.

Queries

Thea Liebenberg (Media Liaison Officer)

082 388 0008

The post In Remembrance: Schalk Pienaar appeared first on Agri Limpopo.

Agri SA finds it disappointing, however, that the uncertainty around the ANC’s position regarding the amendment, or otherwise, of section 25 has apparently not been resolved. This uncertainty and lack of clarity as to what type of land could be targeted for expropriation without compensation and how this will happen are having a negative impact on the sector and the economy in general. Agri SA’s position is that the Constitution should not be amended. The organisation will this week submit its commentary on the matter of expropriation without compensation to the Constitutional Review Committee.

Enquiries

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