Chairperson, while Cope will support the Budget Vote, we would like the Minister to note the following concerns.
From being a food-exporting country, South Africa has now become a net importer of food. From being a major employer, agriculture has been shedding jobs.
Agriculture is one of the most sensitive topics across racial groups in this nation, but proper engagement is necessary to achieve equity and stability. A great deal needs to be done to revitalise agriculture.
The Minister stated that: We no longer want to call people emerging farmers.
After 16 years of democracy, Cope agrees that by now we ought to have had skilled farmers ready to make South Africa a food-secure nation. More importantly, we need South Africa to be a country where food is affordable and accessible.
Why has the skills development programme fallen short? Why is knowledge transfer not taking place? Why have 90% of the farms transferred via the land restitution process collapsed?
At a time when joblessness and hunger are acute problems, this department has a lot to answer for. It may not necessarily be this Minister's failure, but, nonetheless, it is her department which is failing South Africa.
Human resource development programmes must be strengthened and food production capacity must be expanded, as should jobs within this sector. The Minister is right in stating that jobs, food security and sustainable livelihoods must be the ultimate aims of this year. As I have already said, Cope will, however, support this Budget Vote.