Agri SA president Johannes Möller said in a statement that policy messages are very confusing at present. “The National Development Plan makes high demands on agriculture in terms of growth and job creation, while the restitution process and lack of support for new entrants to agriculture largely attest to the contrary.
“It’s vital that the agricultural community and government assess this matter objectively and come up with meaningful solutions.”
Möller added that reckless statements and ill-considered actions around land ownership may be politically expedient, but certainly do not support the vision of a prosperous South Africa.
While Agri SA does not oppose orderly land reform, subject to fair compensation, the organisation said that to continue with a dismally flawed restitution process effectively means that agricultural assets will be further sterilised.
“Farmers are sensitive about safety, however this is often seen by outsiders as an excuse for inhumane behaviour towards rural communities and specifically farm workers.
“Visiting graves on farms is one of the aspects that’s often raised and, in this regard, Agri SA sets compliance with the Protocol for Farm Access and/or alternative arrangements with land owners as the only prerequisite.
“Similarly, we would like each farm worker to have secure tenure or property rights to at least a home, but for practical reasons this cannot be the sole responsibility of the farmer, nor can farms be the only target in this regard,” said Möller.
He cautioned that in the run up to national elections calls are often made from extremist groups for land occupation. “Policy guidelines in this regard are clear, namely that those who are guilty of such actions may be promptly arrested and charged with trespassing.
“Producers must, therefore, in the run-up to the election, be aware of what’s happening on their land and, without delay, report incidents of trespassing to the police.”
