The agricultural department, farmers and stakeholders have joined the symposium in order to discuss a way forward for farmers. South Africa harbours large numbers of small holders, who farm for food and an income, for a lack or better options. Prof. Philippe Burger, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the university, says communal land can be used to benefit the community at large.

Agri SA welcomed the judgment delivered in the Land Claims Court on 11 February, in the compensation dispute between the Minister of Agriculture and the owners of the subdivisions of the farm Jakkelsdans. According to Janse Rabie, Agri SA's Head of Natural Resources, the matter concerned a long-standing dispute between the owners of the farm and the Moloto Community, who earlier instituted a restitution claim. Agri SA supported landowners financially and was directly involved in legal proceedings. Rabie says the State persisted with offering the landowners far less than market value. The judgment of the Land Claims Court holds that the State should offer landowner’s full market value, if no other factors apply as stipulated in the Constitution. Rabie adds Agri SA fully supports the principle that market value is the most important component to be considered to determine “just and equitable compensation” in restitution matters.

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The national Department of Agriculture has reinstated the implementation of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Initiative (PESI)  programme with immediate effect. This follows the temporary suspension of the programme to resolve farmers’ grave concerns over steep costs they incurred while redeeming vouchers for agricultural inputs. Departmental spokesperson, Qeda Nyoka, says they would like to encourage all affected beneficiaries to await update messages from Vodacom. Thereafter they can visit the allocated suppliers in order to redeem vouchers issued to them. Nyoka says the department wishes every farmer a successful production season.

OFMNews/Lee Simmons