This is what John Steenhuisen, the new Minister of Agriculture, said during his first official visit in his new role at Agri Eastern Cape’s congress, being held at Mentorskraal outside Jeffreys Bay.

He believes there are significant opportunities in agriculture – not only for the people of South Africa but also for the economy.

The agricultural sector offers tremendous potential to address the immediate crisis of unemployment, said the minister, adding that 42% of people are without work.

“This 42% are unskilled and have no technical or vocational training, or they are young people. If agriculture receives the support it needs, it will tackle the enormous problem of unemployment. Nothing prevents violence and crime like a job.”

Steenhuisen also emphasised that agriculture promotes economic growth. Despite a challenging environment, the sector had made an important positive contribution to gross domestic product in recent years.

“We have had a decade of policy uncertainty due to plans for expropriation without compensation, crime and violence, and biosecurity issues. Just imagine what we can achieve if we remove these obstacles and take the sector to where it needs to be.”

He also commented on the separation of the Department of Agriculture from the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, saying the departments will still need to work together as they share “children,” such as outstanding land claims.

One advantage of the separation is that the Department of Agriculture is now solely focused on agriculture and agricultural processing. “Land reform has sucked a lot of the oxygen out of the ministry.”

Steenhuisen highlighted his priorities:

• Biosecurity: “We must be more proactive about biosecurity. It is in everyone’s interest – from the farm gate to the government.” Steenhuisen expressed concern about Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), especially since there is a shortage of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine, which has to be imported from Botswana. “If OBP cannot provide the necessary quantities and quality, other stakeholders should be given the opportunity to produce.”
• Market access and exports: Farmers can earn foreign currency and improve their income through export opportunities. Existing trade agreements must be expanded and new markets found.
• Water rights: There must be certainty about access to water for farmers and the expansion of infrastructure, such as the raising of dam walls.
• Food security: South Africans must have access to safe and nutritious food. There is a major problem with malnourished children. “We produce a lot of food, but many people go to bed hungry.”
• Policy certainty: Various outdated legislation needs attention so South Africa can keep pace with the rest of the world and farmers can keep pace with technological and biological advancements. Agricultural land must also be protected. Steenhuisen expressed concern about the takeover of agricultural land by mines and property developers. “When agricultural land is lost, it is lost forever.”
• Disaster management: The department will have to intervene in this regard given the frequent occurrence of damaging weather events. There must be greater capacity within the department to manage disasters. Farmers cannot wait six to eight months for a disaster declaration, and they must be supported during disasters such as fires, foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, floods or black frost. Greater resilience must also be built regarding climate change.
• Infrastructure: Roads are the arteries and veins for farmers who need to take their products to markets, some internationally. Steenhuisen said there is already good progress under Operation Vulindlela with improving railways and ports.
• Safety and security: Improving rural safety must be addressed.

Steenhuisen praised farmers and farmworkers who have to overcome great challenges. “Tough times pass, and tough people remain.”