The DA has made several proposals to government on how it can achieve its aim of between 10% and 15% growth in agricultural output Kraai van Niekerk, DA spokesperson for agriculture had pointed out that increased output is important, but the problem is complex and addressing it would require more concrete efforts than only focusing on under-utilised land in rural areas. V an Niekerk said that South Africa has the potential to change from a net food importer to an internationally competitive exporter, if the correct policies are implemented.
Thus, the DA proposed that all state land should be made available to emerging farmer projects and that an audit is needed to determine exactly how much of such state land exists. Property rights and security for black and white farmers are crucial to attract more investments to the agricultural sector.
Partnerships between previous landowners and the government are also needed to facilitate skills transfer, as this is vital to ensuring that BEE enterprises are productive and profitable. Lease agreements between previous owners and government should also receive more attention, the DA proposed. In response to these proposals, agriculture minister Lulama Xingwana, accused the DA of never having supported land reform and wanting to retain the status quo, with 80% of land in a few white farmers’ hands while black people stay poor. – Wouter Kriel
