SA works with neighbours to maximise agri-business potential

Stabilising South Africa’s
agricultural sector after one of
the worst droughts since the early
1900s is the immediate priority of
minister of agriculture, Senzeni
Zokwana.
Delivering the opening
address at the first African Agri
Investment Indaba in Cape
Town last week, Zokwana said
agriculture in the country was
under immense pressure, with the
country now in its second year of
below optimal crop production.
With 2015’s rainfall officially
the lowest ever since 1904,
Zokwana said all efforts were
focused on stabilising the sector in
an effort to ensure it bounced back
to its former glory.
“We need stakeholders to assist
us in this process. Low investment
in agriculture in developing
countries is a persistent problem
that we have to overcome. We have
to dispel the myth that the private
sector is on strike and does not
want to invest in South Africa,” he
said.
Food prices in South Africa
have increased dramatically
in recent months due to the
current shortages that have
been experienced because of the
drought and the need to import
more. A situation not helped by
the weak rand which has seen the
price of imports increase.
Economists have for some time
been predicting that the drought
will have long-term financial
implications on the country’s
agricultural sector. Zokwana
concurred saying it was imperative
to increase investment into the
sector to address the after-effects
and impact of the drought.
He said initiatives were under
way to create partnerships in the
sector to have a bigger impact.
“We are talking for example
with Namibia about how we
can do things differently when
it comes to fishing so that we
can work together. We are in
agreement that cooperation will
render better rewards for both our
countries.”
He said South Africa was
also on the verge of signing a
memorandum of understanding
with Senegal while talks with
Angola and Mozambique were
under way to work together on
agricultural projects.