(1) In view of the steady decline in the contribution of agriculture to our economy, from contributing 21% to the country’s gross domestic product in 1910 to a mere 3% to 5% over the years and the need for more food production over the next decades, (a) what steps does he intend to take to radically transform South African agriculture into becoming a major economic driver and (b) can this plan be realised within the current structure of the agrarian economy where 20% of farmers produce 80% of the food; (2) can he provide evidence of any plans in his department to (a) bring services closer to the producers and (b) create jobs especially for youth and women in the rural and poorest areas of the country; (3) whether he has any short-term plan to close the gap between services and producers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
