POLICIES - Agriculture: The Impact of Agriculture on Other Economic Sectors

18.2 - The Impact of Agriculture on Other Economic Sectors
Of further importance to the economy is the linkage effect of the agricultural sector with other sectors.
The secondary importance of the agricultural activity must not be disregarded.
According to the ABSA survey, agricultural purchases and sales expressed as a percentage of gross agricultural income is extremely insightful. It shows that industries benefit most from agricultural spending [47.9% of gross income].
The second single largest benefit flowing from the agricultural sector goes to labour, with wages making up no less than 20.2% of gross agricultural income spending, according to records provided by the Central Statistics Services. It is clear from the above that a large part of the industrial sector is dependent on agriculture.
About 25% of our total industrial production sources basic raw material inputs from the agricultural sector.
More than 60% of total gross agricultural production is delivered to the manufacturing sector for further processing.
As provider of employment, the contribution of the agricultural sector is very significant. An estimated 850 000 workers are permanently employed in agriculture. Still, the need for greater levels of mechanization in order to achieve optimal production and the rising cost of labour are the main reasons for job opportunities declining in South Africa.
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POLICIES - Agriculture: Agricultural Production

18.1 - Agricultural Production
• The growth in population, especially in the last five decades, has outstripped the increase in real agricultural production. This aspect needs serious consideration for the future.
• If we allow the current surplus to decline into a shortfall, the cost to the average South African will be considerable. This situation will result in greater amounts having to be spent on imported agricultural produce.
• An ABSA survey of the agricultural sector highlights the fact that South Africa sells its agricultural produce internationally. These sales are in markets where the levels of agricultural subsidization are substantially higher than in South Africa. This in turn has meant that domestic price increases in agriculture have to be limited in order to remain internationally competitive. South Africans have benefited at the expense of the farming community.
• The ACDP in principle is not in favour of the large-scale granting of subsidies agricultural or otherwise, but wisdom has to be employed in ensuring that the necessary growth be stimulated in the agricultural sector.
• The ACDP will endeavour to encourage the necessary growth in output by employing the necessary medium to long-term incentives.
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POLICIES - Land affairs

The ACDP respects the right of all citizens to own property.
The ACDP policy on land affairs would address the problem issues of land imbalances, land restitution and land usage. Equitable principles must be applied to support by the right of all citizens to have access to property ownership.
The ACDP will address the wrongs of the past based on the biblical principles of restitution and restoration.
The ACDP supports the following policy on Land Affairs:
• All South Africans must enjoy security of tenure as well as the freedom to acquire, utilize, rent and sell property, including land.
• When superfluous State land is not directly utilized, such land should be allocated for the residential needs of communities that have been historically disadvantaged.
• Ownership of tribal or trust land must be negotiated with the traditional authority and the community so that ways can be found to extend land ownership for the benefit of everyone connected to the land.
• Land restitution is the process whereby land illegally dispossessed is compensated for or restored to a previous owner guided by principles such as equitable restitution, mutual consent and benefits.
• Land claims courts are to address issues such as property, which was unfairly acquired.
• Redistribution of land will be made available either through rent or purchase, for the purpose of sustainable development.
• The rural poor, labour tenants and entrepreneurial farm workers will have opportunity to access such land through a system facilitated by government's own land assets and that of other landowners.
• There is a large backlog of land restitution and reallocation cases that have to be heard by the courts. The issues are complex and require in depth examination in order for justice to be served. The ACDP will investigate forms of general "out of court settlements" which will allow people to access land immediately without waiting many years for their cases to be heard.
• We will also take into consideration that to make effective and productive use of reallocated land, communities must have access to finance and other resources
• With regards to the land tenure and security of tenure, the right of the farm workers must be protected.
• The involvement of farm workers and farm owners in drawing up legislative protection on how land tenure can be equitably applied will be ensured, however, to a foundational principle.
• Unlawful land occupation is unacceptable, and as such the availability and usage of land will enjoy high priority. Squatting is a symptom of previous land affairs practices. Squatters will not be accommodated, however the problem will be dealt with humanely and efficiently whilst the cause is addressed.
• Whilst addressing these issues the ACDP will not lose sight of the necessity of maintaining a dynamic agricultural sector, therefore welfare and efficiency objectives must be reconciled.

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