World Food Day on 16 October remains a welcome reminder of the vital role of agriculture in maintaining food security. When the agriculture sector in SA “sneezes”, the whole country essentially catches the proverbial cold – all 63.02 million of us. It makes sense, then, to prioritise the economic viability of this critical sector. About four months in, the success of the widely discussed GNU (government of national unity) hinges heavily on strong political will, focused implementation, and accountability. This significant development in South African politics came at a time when most South Africans have had to “dig deep” more times than can be mentioned, just to keep going. And this includes fruit growers in the fresh fruit industry. Admirably, our growers continue to prove their mettle, while farming under increasingly difficult – and often unprecedented – circumstances. But sentiments are shifting in the right direction. Especially with the 0.4% Q2 2024 economic growth rate announced by Stats SA, after a 0.1% contraction in Q1. And the signing into law of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency SOC Ltd Bill is the most recent breakthrough for agriculture in terms of water infrastructure. Plus, newly appointed Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has committed to hitting the ground running to address significant challenges in the sector, and to help drive its growth. In fact, senior members of the GNU have just completed their first trade mission. They travelled to China to attend FOCAC (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) 2024. In a related interview, Steenhuisen highlighted economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation in SA as some of the focus areas that drove this dialogue. Importantly, agri representatives also attended the Forum.
Rolspelers in die vrugtebedryf het reeds met die minister begin skakel rondom nouer samewerking. As almal saamspan mag dit dalk binnekort begin pap reën. In die vierde kwartaal van 2023 het die vrugtebedryf die beste gevaar in die landbousektor. Uitvoere is deur bloubessies, druiwe, neute, sitrus en kernvrugte gelei, wat ‘n totaal van R12.99 miljard in uitvoere vir dié kwartaal besorg het (BFAP Quarterly Trade Update, 2023). Ons produsente het aansienlik bygedra tot bereiking van hierdie getalle en verdien beslis erkenning, veral as dit kom by voedselsekerheid – “Thank a farmer”. So van erkenning gepraat, op bladsy 22 bring ons graag hulde aan wyle Robert Zulch. Alombekend as “The Modern Apple Orchardist”, laat Zulch beslis ’n groot leemte in die kernvrugtebedryf. Ek hoop jy vind hierdie uitgawe insiggewend. Lekker lees.