Hon House Chairperson, there was a time when our agricultural production was something that South Africa could be proud of. There is a wonderful phrase: "When a farmer cries, a country cries."
When you examine the contribution of agricultural output to the provincial and national GDPs, the picture of agriculture is very pathetic. Now, I am saying this, not because of the current debate, but because very serious note should be taken of the number of farmers that have been forced to leave their farms and not because of land distribution. Here I want to refer to the minority Indian community. Indian indentured labourers came here and saved the former Natal colony from certain bankruptcy. They have played an important role in agriculture in KwaZulu-Natal, but a large number of Indian farmers have now fled their farms.
The premier in KwaZulu-Natal initiated the building of the Dube Trade Port to export fruit and vegetables, especially to Europe, but is there proportional agricultural development? For example, you could take the litchi fruit: Enough litchis could be grown along the Ndwedwe-Verulam belt in our country to supply the whole of Europe. The MF advises the Minister to visit the farms to see the conditions as they are a threat to farmers.
There is another issue that I want to raise, and it is that for the past 40 years there has been concern that members of the younger generation are not clinging to farming. In the early forties, the Afrikaner made sure that they sent their youngsters to town to study, but they had to go back to the farms. The MF suggests, in accordance with what the national Minister of tertiary education has stated, that we must encourage youngsters to do degrees in agriculture.
The fishing industry is undoubtedly a very important industry. Here I want to suggest that we encourage subsistence fishermen - not place obstacles in their paths - and make sure that more blacks take up subsistence fishing. I want to make a distinction between recreational fishing and subsistence fishing. We have to expand the fishing industry. South Africa has a very rich coastline for fishing.
The MF makes the plea to the Minister to make sure that we encourage the small farmer and co-operatives, and that further assistance is provided to ensure that they can market their produce. A small farmer, collectively, makes an important contribution. The small Punjab province in India grows the food for the whole of India. One small village in the state of Bihar grows litchis for the 1,3 billion people that make up the Indian population.
Now, the disturbing fact is that 90% of the land which was redistributed in terms of the redistribution programme lies fallow. The government must take some bold decisions. You can't have shortages and inactivity, and people who are recipients of land restitution not operating these farms.
The MF is very concerned about the state of agriculture in our country, and especially its contribution to the GDP. India and China have growth rates of 9% as a result of their flourishing agriculture industries. The MF will support the Budget Vote.