Press release
The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture on Wednesday welcomed the presentations it received from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition on the Poultry Master Plan and Sugar Master Plan. It also welcomed the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development‘s presentation on the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP).
The committee heard that the AAMP is a sectoral economic framework designed to co-ordinate efforts, bring efficiency and transparency in the implementation, and provide the common goal and indicators of success in contributing to the National Development Plan. The AAMP was signed in May 2022 by agriculture social partners as the template for inclusive growth, investments, sustainable jobs, transformation, and market development for the sixth administration.
The Poultry Sector Master Plan was signed in November 2020 by all stakeholders of the former Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, including the poultry industry, importers and exporters, and also labour representatives. The committee heard that the plan was developed to address several serious challenges faced by the poultry industry. For example, the industry had to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing feed costs, impediments to exports due to the outbreak of avian influenza and significant imports. The poultry industry was the largest contributor to the agricultural sector with a total annual gross value of production of almost R72 billion in 2022, accounting for 17.1% of the total agricultural gross value.
On the Sugar Master Plan, the committee heard that the plan was developed to address several serious challenges faced by the industry and to ensure its long-term sustainability. It was adopted as a phased approach. Phase one was about restructuring and setting foundations for diversification to stabilise the industry and restructure industry capacity and costs in an orderly manner to ensure alignment with current and future market size.
During deliberations on the plans, the committee heard the challenges each plan faced. Members asked that the qualitative implementation of all the plans be sped up. As not all the questions were responded to, the committee asked the departments of agriculture and trade and industry to respond in writing and submit the responses by Friday.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Dina Pule, said at the end of the 7th administration in 2029, there must be tangible results for implementing the master plans. She said the Government of National Unity must be able to show something – evidence of good results and meeting the objectives that are clearly spelt out in the plans.
The committee told the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ms Nokuzola Capa, it received a request from unemployed Assistant Agricultural Practitioners (AAPs) to intervene between them and the department over possible appointments as there is a need for extension of services. The committee asked the Deputy Minister for a report on the issue so that it intervenes if it is possible.
Members also shared concerns with the Deputy Minister about media reports that the Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen, allegedly appointed people in senior management positions in his office who allegedly have Grade 12 in a country with a high number of unemployed and highly qualified graduates. They called it insensitive for a member of cabinet given the challenges of unemployment, especially for qualified black graduates.
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Find the minutes of the report back as well as presentations on the different Master Plans at https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/39400.
Relevant Agribook pages include “Agro-processing“, “Poultry and chicken farming” and “Sugarcane“
Photo by alexandre saraiva carniato: www.pexels.com/photo/man-cutting-sugarcane-stalks-in-the-field-9622958/
