Farmers and the government in Limpopo have come together to form the Limpopo Commercial Agriculture Forum. The forum will focus on issues affecting agriculture, such as food security and climate change.
The 16-member forum consists of members of the African Farmers Association of South Africa (AFASA), Agri Limpopo, TAU SA North, and the National African Farmers Union (NAFU), and representatives from the University of Limpopo.
Kenny Mathivha, spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Agriculture, said farmers and the department had no place to meet and discuss issues affecting all farmers. “We have common enemies, such as climate change and food security, that this forum will be used to address,” he said.
Tshianeo Mathidi, forum member and chairperson of AFASA Limpopo, said this was a great relief for farmers in the province. “The department has shown that it takes the issue of food security seriously,” he said.
He added that instead of farmers in Limpopo speaking individually about common issues, the forum will be a platform for farmers to raise issues in a united voice.
Bries Enflin, representing Agri Limpopo on the forum, said he believes that the initiative is one of the best things to happen in Limpopo. “This is a platform for farmers to engage with the department on issues affecting them. I believe we are on the right track.”
Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, Limpopo’s MEC for agriculture, called Limpopo the hope of Africa. “Limpopo is a well-known food basket of Africa and the world,” she said. She urged forum members to strive for perfection and to reposition themselves within the value chain.
Mathivha said one of the forum’s responsibilities would be to open up communication channels between commercial agriculture and the provincial agriculture department. – Peter Mashala
