Election time

It’s election time and our four-yearly dose of empty promises and inflated rhetoric is upon us again. Our young democracy will be bombarded with political hot air, intrigue, robust debate and renewed promises of a better tomorrow – until election day. After that, “poof!” and all is forgotten as we return to business as usual. Cynical? Yes, but not inaccurate. Anyway, what has this to do with the fresh produce business?
Before the last election, I wrote a wish list in which I envisioned then-President Mbeki announcing a massive aid programme for fresh produce markets and new farmers. Had that wonderful programme become reality, this country would be so much further down the road by now. Sadly, nothing emerged for markets from that election.
Between the two elections we’ve seen our markets, with a few exceptions, sink deeper into the quagmire of political ineptitude. Outdated infrastructure, overloaded trading space, unsuitable (untrained) staff, indifferent management and political bumbling all contribute to sinking our markets.
In the run-up to this election, you won’t hear one politician talking about the dire need to upgrade and improve our markets. Not a word will be said about this vital national asset. Why? Because our bellies are full.
Food shortages might be an issue elsewhere, but they haven’t really hit us – yet! Why bring up something which won’t win votes when it’s easier to bury one’s head in the sand?
Politicians forget our markets play a critical role in distributing fresh produce to the nation at affordable prices. Allow markets to die and see what happens (some are almost there!).
What if, due to climate change, water shortage or other potential catastrophes, our farmers can’t maintain current production? What if the only people supplying fruit and vegetables to the nation are wholesalers and retailers? Will they be concerned about supplying the nation with affordable fresh produce, or their own bottom line?
Ask consumers overseas about the prices they pay for fruit and veg. They don’t have any commission markets. Who will offer farmers a safe haven for their products to be sold at realistic prices based on supply and demand? The questions and answers are many and often complex and should be urgently addressed.
Where is the politician with the will, the courage and the foresight to stand up and say, “We must do something about our fresh produce markets because if we don’t, we’ll be judged by history to have failed our people.”
There I go, dreaming again. – Mike Cordes (e-mail [email protected]).     |fw