More inclusive agricultural sector is 'urgent'

Although President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) only mentioned agricultural briefl y, it addressed fundamental matt ers, according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa .

- Carien Grobler

He said SA agriculture has shown tremendous growth over the past three decades – it has more than doubled –but still faces some challenges.

“Some of the challenges include port inefficiencies, deteriorating roads, rural crime and stock theft , rising global protectionism and inept municipalities,” he said.

“Ramaphosa outlined the government’s plans to address many of these challenges; the need for professionalisation of civil servants, planned improvement of water infrastructure and simplification of regulations, ongoing reforms of Operation Vulindlela in the broader network industries, interventions on logistics, and improving safety and reducing crime.: