Last week TLU SA sent a letter to the Minister of Finance to bring issues that are of vital importance for sustainable food provision to his attention.
Bennie van Zyl, TLU SA General Manager, emphasised the value of food on the table as the most crucial stabilising factor in our country. Given that approximately 68% of the country’s population resides in urban areas, it is impossible to ignore that commercial farmers are indeed our country’s greatest asset and that it must be cherished.
Sadly assistance is consistently redirected, under the guise of agricultural aid, to those who produce approximately 3% of our country’s food. The commercial sector, which includes farmers of all genders and races, receives almost no help in times of need.
It is almost budget time and TLU SA stressed the following issues in its letter to the minister:
- A proposal to allow commercial farmers to save profits tax-free during good years and enable them to continue production during times of losses.
- The deterioration of South Africa’s infrastructure has a significant harmful impact on the transport of products to markets and ports. Roads, railways, communication capabilities, and power supply, need urgent attention.
- Security in South Africa, particularly in rural areas and on farms, is extremely concerning. The South African Police Service (SAPS) must be properly equipped and trained to perform their duties effectively, and corruption in all its forms must be eradicated to regain the public’s trust.
- Farmers are exposed to disasters such as floods, droughts, fires, and even the outbreak of livestock diseases. To effectively and quickly support farmers to stay in production, much better provision should be made for assistance during such times.
- Should there be outbreaks of diseases such as foot and mouth disease or Avian influenza, the necessary empowerment must be in place for the government to fulfil its responsibility effectively.
- Effective, quality education is of paramount importance, and the standard of education must be significantly improved.
South Africa is experiencing extremely low economic growth. There is an alarming decrease in foreign investment in our country. The elements needed for economic growth should be the minister’s core focus. And the most crucial aspect to address in the budget is incentives that will foster economic growth.
Corruption in all its forms must be eradicated before a worthy budget can be allocated for the benefit of the country’s people. All the time, effort and expertise that go into preparing a thorough budget will come to nothing if the tax payers’ money still disappears into the pockets of corrupt officials.
TLU SA wishes the minister all the best with the budget and requests that economic indicators will triumph over ideological choices.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
