Agriculture contributes to 14,4% of all jobs in the Western Cape, according to Western Cape Minister of Agriculture Dr Ivan Meyer.
He addressed the opening of the recent Municipal Agricultural Summit organised by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.
The two-day event focused on crucial matters that impact the agricultural sector in the local government arena. These included critical issues such as land reform and rural safety. In addition, it provided opportunities for sharing linkages and identifying areas for closer cooperation between the agricultural sector and local authorities of the Western Cape.
Said Meyer: “Effective local governments in the Western Cape are essential for sustainable economic growth in the province. Agriculture is the most competitive sector of the economy in our five rural districts. Furthermore, the sector contributes to 14,4% of all jobs in the Western Cape. Agriculture is therefore important to local government.”
Commenting on the two-day summit Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape, which represents approximately 3 500 commercial farmers in the Western Cape, said: “Agri Western Cape greatly appreciates being part of the summit, where municipalities and agriculture come together to confirm the critical role of agriculture in the Western Cape. The Provincial Department of Agriculture’s significant role as liaison and facilitator between agriculture and municipalities at all levels is confirmed again and is encouraging.”
Rural safety was of particular interest to attending delegates, given the threat that crime poses to the sector.
“An attack on a farmer or agri-worker and the theft of cables and irrigation pumps is an attack on our rural economy,” Meyer said.
“Under-resourced rural police stations leave communities particularly vulnerable.”
He said agriculture forms the core of the rural economies, and municipalities are dependent on its regional economic contribution.
Meyer advocated greater collaboration between local municipalities and agriculture.
