Agriculture and Land Reform
Agriculture is one of the industries with the greatest potential for growth.
Key recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture will be implemented this year to accelerate land redistribution, expand agricultural production and transform the industry.
Land expropriation
Following the completion of the Parliamentary process to amend section 25 of the Constitution, government stands ready to table the Expropriation Bill, which outlines the circumstances under which expropriation of land without compensation would be permissible.
#SONADebate | Ramaphosa says there will be no land grabs. Adding that land expropriation will be done within the prescripts of the law.#SONAreply pic.twitter.com/rrx0jmCnni
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) February 20, 2020
Government has reprioritised R500 million over the medium term for the finalisation of land claims.
To date, we have released 44,000 hectares of state land for the settlement of land restitution claims, and will this year release round 700,000 hectares of state land for agricultural production.
We are prioritising youth, women, people with disabilities and those who have been farming on communal land and are ready to expand their operations for training and allocation of land.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has released hundreds of parcels of land as part of the government's commitment to land reform, redistribution and restitution.
A new beneficiary selection policy includes compulsory training for potential beneficiaries before land can be allocated to them.
A Presidential Summit on Land will also take place this year.
Agricultural Development Agency
The Agricultural Development Agency announced at the Presidential Jobs Summit in 2018 has now been launched. The private sector-led initiative will work closely with government on key issues impacting the agricultural sector, from skills transfer to the practical aspects of implementing land reform.
Industrial hemp
The commercial use of hemp products will be opened up and regulated this year, providing opportunities for small-scale farmers. Policy on the use of cannabis products for medicinal purposes will also be formulated to build this industry in line with global trends.