Big boost for indigenous and medicinal crop production

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen recently approved the inclusion of indigenous and medicinal plants on the list of declared agricultural products.

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He stated that people who harvest and trade traditional medicines and indigenous crops have been operating in the economic shadows for too long, and with this legislative change, government aims to grant them dignity, recognition and a path to prosperity.

Statutory measures to support growth

Representative bodies of these newly declared products will now be able to apply for statutory measures such as levies, records and returns, and registrations, as provided for in Sections 15, 18 and 19 of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (No. 47 of 1996).

If approved, such measures will enable affected groups to collect funds and provide support services to grow these industries and create job opportunities.

Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Siphiwe Sithole, founder and CEO of organic farming business African Marmalade, said the move marked a turning point for the indigenous and medicinal plant industry.