Agriculture industry representative organisation the Agri Sector Unity Forum urged members at it first policy conference held recently in Stellenbosch to “actively contribute to shaping the future” of the local agricultural sector over the next five years.

Speaking at the conference, First National Bank agriculture information and marketing head Jan van Zyl stated that he envisaged a five-year timeline, during which land reform plans should be implemented, additional legislation unnecessary.

An effective extension service, Van Zyl said, should also be offered to the industry to contribute to the “prosperity” of agriculture, irrespective of size or enterprise type.

“In addition, [as] the next generation of farmers is being developed and trained by education institutions, there should be an exchange and secondment programme between these institutions, producer organisations, research institutions, farmers as well as government, so that we all understand what is at stake,” he commented.

Van Zyl further emphasised the importance of the country’s foreign trade policy and its ability to “dynamically” implement the most appropriate measures to support local producers without compromising consumer’s access to affordable food.

“We also want [finance providers] to be drawn to the industry by the stability and prosperity of this sector, which [we hope will one day] contribute in excess of 20% of the country’s overall [gross domestic product].

“We believe the outlook for agriculture is positive, owing to the importance of food, fuel and livestock feed in the future of the world, and we are proudly supportive of this sector,” he concluded.

The Agri Sector Unity Forum encompasses all the country’s agricultural representative bodies, including Agri South Africa, the African Farmers' Association of South Africa, Transvaal Agricultural Union, the National African Farmers' Union and Agbiz.