As we close the 2021/22 financial year the NAMC is embarking on the building of partnerships that will take us into 2022/23 which, we believe, will be a time of confluence in the agricultural sector. Various stakeholder engagements are being held, notably through transformation review committee (TRC) field visits. These visits, combined with the near-conclusion of the agriculture and agro-processing master plan (AAMP) an upswing in  statutory measures applications andmedia engagements, are all part of the NAMC’s quest to continuously make meaningful impact on the sector.

 

Firstly, the TRC’s apex focus is ensuring levies allocated for transformation keep in line to TRC guidelines. We can safely assert that we witnessing favourable response from the industries to adhere to these guidelines and genuinely transform.

 

Secondly, the AAMP is reaching its conclusion as social partners work hard to find common ground. The impending sign-off of the AAMP will only be the first step. The real test will be on how effectively the social partners continue to work together to implement in through a public-private partnership (PPP) approach. Thirdly, the increase in the number statutory measures is an indication that the NAMC’s regulatory mandate is paramount for the viability of the agricultural sector.  The NAMC received a record number of 10 applications for statutory measures during the month of March 2022 alone, compared to the 17 applications received the previous 11 months.

 

The applications received are the following –

 

Grains	New statutory measure relating to weekly producer deliveries at silo’s
Maize	Amendment of existing statutory measure (monthly declarations)
Pork	Statutory levies
Pork	Records & returns
Pork	Registrations
Red meat	Statutory levies
Red meat	Records & returns
Red meat	Registrations
Table eggs	Amendment of existing statutory measure
Winter cereals	Amendment of existing statutory measure (intentions to import)

 

Fourthly, the role of agricultural economists at NAMC being at the forefront of articulating and guiding government policy postures through mass media. In the month of March alone, the NAMC conducted over 16 interviews (radio and television), with a combined audience of 4 million (estimated). One of the main topics of discussion was the Ukraine and Russia war impact on our local economy.

 

Another critical task for the NAMC is providing market access to farmers. The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in particular has been keen on providing oversight on this matter.

 

During the period in review, the Agribusiness Development Division linked 51 farmers with the market. 28 farmers from Mkhonjeni rural area in Jozini Local Municipality of uMkhanyakude District in the KwaZulu Natal province, were linked with the Freshway Market (Tshwane Fresh Produce Market).  This group of farmers constitutes 18 females and 10 males, with 21 adults and 7 youth.  They collectively operate on a total of approximately 708 hectares communal/family-owned land.  Additionally, the farmers also specialise on different varieties of vegetables which include cabbages, spinach, tomatoes, chilli, and dryland crops such as maize and peanuts. 

 

A market was also secured for 23 farmers to supply Unilever with 1500 tons of fresh or dried Rosemary and Thyme on an annually basis. The farmers are located in three provinces; Gauteng (3= 1 male and 2 females), Free State (2=Females) and Eastern Cape (18 = 16 females and 2 Males). Farmers will enter into an offtake agreement with the herbs processing/drying facility and the delivery point is JHB and Durban. This was a collaboration between NAMC, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Free State Department of Economic Small Business, Tourism and Environmental Affairs; Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; EC Municipalities; Simply Garlic and Unilever.

 

Lastly, in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety and Covid-19 related issues in the workplace. An Assessment/Inspection was facilitated to identify health and safety risks in the NAMC environment. The assessment will assist in developing mitigating measures to address the identified risks and prevent any incidents from occurring due to non-compliance. We have trained employees on firefighting safety to address some of the identified risks. We will continue to work closely with the occupational health safety committee to closely monitor the health and safety matters in the organisation.