Both organisations said they disagreed with the proposal to expropriate excess land in between the three categories of smallholder farmers (1 000ha), medium (2 500ha) and large commercial farmers (5 000ha).
Expropriating excess land would limit growth for smallholder farmers with ambitions to grow beyond small and medium holdings to large-scale farming, said Afasa secretary general Aggrey Mahanjana.
Agriculture minister Senzeni Zokwana said Nkwinti, who was expected to attend the meeting but failed to, must be allowed to explain himself about the land ceilings.
“I have noted your proposals around smallholder farmers … we need to debate them going forward,” said Zokwana.