Dr Simphiwe Ngqangweni, explores the sixth administration’s successes in agriculture and outlines key strategies for inclusive growth. He advises the new agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, to prioritise accelerating AAMP implementation for continuity and sector stability.

At the same time, a new round of negotiations to address certain labour issues that were not fully addressed during the first round of AAMP negotiations is in the preparatory stages. Some commercial sector groups have also expressed disquiet over the current version of the AAMP, which they reckon falls short of addressing certain fundamentals for sector growth.

In response, DALRRD leadership had committed to continuously engage with these affected groupings to find common ground, a move which should gain momentum in the seventh administration.

Despite its shortcomings, the AAMP remains the best platform for all stakeholders to work together to achieve inclusive growth in the agricultural sector.

In his recent interviews, the newly appointed minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has encouragingly indicated that he intends not to “reinvent the wheel”, but will seek to accelerate the implementation of the AAMP, among some of his priorities.

Such sentiments are good for continuity and stability for a sector that, despite its challenges, has immense potential to contribute significantly towards addressing the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

As the seventh administration takes over, it must build on the gains made so far by previous administrations. It must focus on the abiding challenges that prevent the sector from achieving its growth and developmental potential.

The AAMP provides the necessary guidelines, central of which is the acceleration of transformation through dedicated industry-specific initiatives (referred to in the AAMP document as “production schemes”). Some of the value chain round tables, which act as engagement platforms between government and the private sector under the auspices of the AAMP, are working well.

Efforts are currently in place to support those that are not operating as effectively. The goodwill and commitment that exists among sector stakeholders towards the implementation of the AAMP, as demonstrated in these round tables and other platforms, is heartening and bodes well for the future of the sector.