Speaker, the ANC welcomes the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform's approach and commitment to supporting more than 1 000 deserted and unproductive farms, as expressed at the unveiling of the recapitalisation and development programme at Khuphuka Farm outside Rustenburg on Friday, 24 February 2012.
This programme is designed to increase agricultural production and job creation, to guarantee food security and to graduate small-scale farmers to commercial farmers in the agricultural sector. Through the programme, a farm will be funded under close supervision of the department in order to show sustainability going forward. For the programme to be a success, the ANC appeals to the established farmers in the area to share their experience and farming skills with the emerging farmers, so as to create a viable environment to promote food security. [Applause.]