Pressure is mounting in Gauteng’s rural safety landscape due to an ever-increasing number of informal settlements, often lacking adequate planning, essential services and job opportunities.
This phenomenon unintentionally transforms rural areas into dumping grounds, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and creating new challenges for rural safety.
Gauteng’s agricultural sector is under strain despite the allocation of R671 million to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The main reason for this is the Department’s failure to spend funds effectively.
The Department’s vision to establish Gauteng as an agricultural processing hub, support small-scale farmers to commercialise and reduce food insecurity is critical for a province grappling with high unemployment and striving for economic recovery.
However, it is doubtful that the budget will be enough to adequately address Gauteng’s problems.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) believes that issues such as the crippling backlog in infrastructure projects, and inadequate support for small-scale farmers and cooperatives should be urgently addressed.
Another serious cause for concern is the failure to identify and unlock available land for agricultural production.
Although Gauteng’s agricultural sector contributes a fairly small percentage (approximately 0,5%) to the provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it has immense potential as markets are located near farms in addition to other logistical advantages, particularly for agricultural processing.
This potential is, however, undermined by illegal land occupations, infrastructure shortcomings and inconsistent support for farmers.
Gauteng’s agricultural sector risks stagnating, which will contribute to higher unemployment and food insecurity, if it does not have a substantial budget that is properly managed followed by robust implementation.
The Department has to ensure that every rand of its budget makes a positive impact.
Article by: Jaco Mulder
Source: Freedom Front Plus
