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The president applauded the sector for performing well despite many challenges. He stated that the country’s agricultural sector ‘performed remarkably well’ during the coronavirus pandemic. 

With that being said, the president also congratulated various other industries especially the citrus industry as it became the world’s second-largest exporter of citrus during 2020. Other industries that received recognition are the wine, maize, nuts, deciduous fruit and sugar cane industries. This, as they have also shown strong export growth.

Ramaphosa further added that last year’s favourable weather conditions, as well as at the beginning of 2021, shows that agriculture is likely to grow in the near term.

“This provides an opportunity for further public-private partnership in agriculture to promote transformation and ensure sustainable growth. It is an opportunity to accelerate land redistribution through a variety of instruments such as land restitution, and expropriation of land in order to boost agricultural output,” explained Ramaphosa.

Furthermore, he also informed South Africans that the government has to date redistributed over 5 million hectares of land, which totals to around 5 500 farms, to more than 300 000 beneficiaries. He stated that this land is in addition to the land restitution process, which has benefited over two million land claimants. This resulted in the transfer of around 2.7 million hectares.

The president also made known that the government is also pursuing programmes to assist smallholder as well as emerging farmers with market access. This is to ensure that they develop skills across the agricultural value chain and increase the number of commercial black farmers.

Also, government will, during the course of the next financial year, establish a Land and Agrarian Reform Agency to fast-track land reform.

During his speech, Ramaphosa also gave feedback on masterplans which included that of the sugar and poultry industries.

“In the State of the Nation Address last year, I said that our vision for industrialisation is underpinned by sector masterplans to rejuvenate and grow key industries. Four masterplans that have been completed and signed to date – which are part of the social compact between labour, business, government and communities – have already had an impact in their respective industries,” he said.

Ramaphosa revealed that the poultry industry has invested R800 million to upgrade production. This was done through the implementation of the poultry masterplan. He added that South Africa now produces an additional one million chickens every week.

Meanwhile, he stated that the sugar masterplan was signed during the lockdown, with a commitment from large users of sugar to procure at least 80% of their sugar needs from local growers.

Through the implementation of the plan, Ramaphosa added that last year saw a rise in local production as well as a decline in imported sugar which created stability for an industry which employs about 85 000 workers.

Also, support for black small-scale farmers is being stepped up, with a large beverage producer committing to expand their procurement sharply, said the president.

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