During the recent Limpopo Revitalisation of Agriculture and Agro-processing Value Chain (RAAVC) meeting, it was evident that white farmers were once again not high on the priority list for agricultural promotion.
The primary objective of the meeting, held in Modimolle from the 29th to the 30th of November 2023, was to breathe life into the local economy. The plan is to prioritise black farmers and their development, ensuring their active contribution to the cultivation and production of various commodities.
“During the meeting, it became clear that the millions of rands spent on black emerging farmers in Limpopo in the past and in the future will not contribute to the sustainability and profitability of agricultural projects,” said Danie Prins, TLU SA Northern Regional Manager.
MEC of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development, Mr. Thabo Mokone, emphasised the various challenges facing the department. The lack of financial resources and funding mechanisms further hinder the acquisition and development of farming equipment, machinery, and infrastructure. Property associations and organisations delay projects intended to benefit communities and create jobs. Conflict among beneficiaries vying for leadership positions hinders progress on community projects and land ownership issues, also discouraging private sector investments.
“Beneficiaries’ knowledge and experience in agriculture, technical skills, and finance to operate farming activities sustainably and profitably are insufficient,” said Prins.
During the meeting, Dr. Mmatlou Kalaba of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) also addressed the importance of cooperation between the government and stakeholders. He warned that if challenges related to ports, load shedding, biosecurity, and infrastructure are not addressed, any progress made in the agricultural sector will be in vain. Kalaba also expressed concern about the decline in commodities in Limpopo and suggested that the government should intervene to ensure growth in the province.
Dr. Simphiwe Ngqangweni, CEO of the National Agricultural Marketing Council, declared that the implementation of the master plan for agriculture and agro-processing, which has the potential to unlock opportunities in the sector, is underway. However, decisions made by local municipalities are still negatively affecting Limpopo’s commodities.
“In other news, the Musina local municipality informed a group of 70 emerging farmers that they must vacate the area where they have been farming for more than 10 years to make way for a new residential development,” said Prins.
In a letter dated 24th October 2023, the municipality stated that the new Messina-Nancefield Extension 15 residential area will be established there. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs plans to build road infrastructure and provide water and sewage services. It is evident that one hand does not know what the other hand is doing.
TLU SA regrets that the government persists in following an ideological path to allow new entrants into the agricultural environment, rather than following a plan based on economic principles. TLU SA had already formulated a realistic, practical, and feasible plan in 2005 and presented it to the government.
It is clear that economic sustainability and profitability are not the government’s focus. This is once again a case of established principles and fundamentals being polluted by a transformation agenda. The outcomes of the last 30 years will still be experienced unless a plan based on economic principles is followed. A plan based on profitability, expertise, passion, and responsibility will result in sustainability.
Photo Gabriel Jimenez | Unsplash
