‘Look overborder before you look overseas’

Agriculture minister calls for more research funds RAY SMUTS TO AGRICULTURE minister Thoko Didiza’s way of thinking, there are priorities and priorities. Uppermost is the need to grow intra-Africa trade for South Africa’s agricultural products before beginning to focus on international markets, in her view. Speaking last week at a Stellenbosch conference aimed at gathering more market access for African agricultural products, she came out strongly in favour of greater interaction between African countries. Quality Didiza fancied the notion that more regulatory mechanisms were necessary in order to enhance and ensure the quality of agricultural products from the Western Cape, the country as a whole, and from other African countries. This would help exports to European Union countries and the Far East, she said. Stumbling blocks She expressed concern at too many stumbling blocks hindering greater trade between African countries, singling out the low standard of the continent’s agricultural infrastructure, roads, rail transport, ports and air services. Should these inadequacies be rectified, she believed African countries would possess the capacity to producer larger volumes and deliver to one another at competitive prices. The minister said as far as the South African government was concerned there was still far too little expenditure and research with regard to new agricultural products, particularly new varieties of deciduous fruit and citrus for the export market. One example is the success of the Pink Lady apple, cultivated specifically for the British market and holding several consumer benefits like a longer shelf life. Didiza felt the various sectors of agriculture should engage in discussion, given the fact it appeared producers were working against one another from an export perspective without due consideration for the success of the total industry.