In a recent session of the National Assembly, President Cyril Ramaphosa underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to implementing comprehensive programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing land reform and bolstering agricultural growth in South Africa. This commitment comes as part of a broader strategy to stimulate employment opportunities within the agricultural sector, a vital component of the nation’s economy.
Responding to queries from Members of Parliament, President Ramaphosa elucidated on the integrated plan designed to sustain growth and foster job creation in agriculture through effective land reform strategies. He emphasized that the government’s land reform program is fortified by a multitude of complementary initiatives geared towards facilitating growth and job creation within the agricultural sphere.
“Government’s land reform programme is supported by several complementary programmes and initiatives to enable growth and job creation. Through these complementary programmes and initiatives, we are working to ensure that land reform is harnessed more effectively to support the growth of agriculture and agro-processing and to expand employment and livelihoods in this vital industry,” the President affirmed.
President Ramaphosa reiterated the critical importance of land reform in addressing historical injustices and facilitating societal transformation. He stressed that redistribution, restitution, and the provision of secure tenure are instrumental in fostering increased agricultural activity and enabling more individuals to derive livelihoods from farming.
Highlighting a significant milestone, President Ramaphosa mentioned the signing of the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan in May 2022 by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development in collaboration with business and labor partners. This master plan aims to accelerate land reform and delineates actionable steps for the private sector to support optimal land utilization by black farmers resulting from land reform projects.
The plan includes provisions for supporting black farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) at the processing level to enhance access to domestic and export markets. Additionally, it encourages large commercial farmers to participate voluntarily in the land reform program by either donating land to historically disadvantaged farmers or engaging in joint ventures to facilitate collaboration with small- and medium-scale farmers.
President Ramaphosa outlined ambitious targets set forth by the stakeholders involved in the master plan, envisioning substantial growth in the agricultural sector by 2030. He projected an additional R32 billion in agricultural output and the creation of 75,000 new jobs, underscoring the pivotal role of the plan in sustaining existing employment while fostering new opportunities.
To fully harness the economic potential of land reform, President Ramaphosa emphasized the need for comprehensive rural development initiatives. He cited the Integrated Rural Development Sector Strategy of 2023, which aims to revitalize the rural economy through strategic investments in infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water, and irrigation schemes.
Moreover, the strategy encompasses support for industries integral to rural development, such as agriculture, agro-processing, mining, the digital economy, tourism, arts, and culture. President Ramaphosa stressed the necessity of rural infrastructure improvements to facilitate access to resources, markets, economic activities, and essential support services for beneficiaries of land reform projects.
In addition to infrastructure development, President Ramaphosa highlighted initiatives focused on skills development and employment opportunities, particularly targeting the youth demographic. Through programs like the National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC), the government aims to equip young individuals with the requisite skills to actively participate in the economy.
President Ramaphosa also detailed the impactful interventions undertaken through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which has provided agricultural production input vouchers to over 180,000 subsistence producers. Furthermore, the stimulus has collaborated with provincial departments of agriculture and social partners to extend support to more than 62,000 subsistence and smallholder producers, strengthening self-employment and bolstering food security.
In conclusion, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s comprehensive approach to land reform and agricultural growth underscores the government’s steadfast commitment to addressing historical inequities while driving sustainable economic development in South Africa. By fostering collaboration between public and private stakeholders and prioritizing rural development initiatives, the government aims to unlock the full potential of the agricultural sector, creating opportunities for employment and prosperity across the nation.
