Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Letsike, says more than 60% of jobs and 25% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the African continent comes from the agricultural sector which is rooted in the rural areas.
“This presents an opportunity for boundless growth through the potential that is inherent in the rural economy and for expansion to industries that ordinarily have not proliferated in rural areas,” Letsike said.
Speaking at the Village Economy Indaba ceremony held in the North West province, Letsike said over half of the population resides in rural regions, yet these areas often face higher poverty rates, lower access to basic services and limited economic opportunities.
“This divide is not only a matter of geography, it concerns social justice, economic necessity, and national progress.”
Letsike said rural areas in South Africa hold an enormous but often overlooked potential for lifting people out of poverty.
“When we invest in rural economies, we create jobs and boost incomes in areas where they are needed most. Imagine empowering smallholder farmers with access to better technology, training, and markets.
“Not only could they increase their production, but they could also improve their livelihoods, leading to better education, healthcare, and overall well-being for their families and communities,” Letsike said on Friday.
The Deputy Minister said it was reported that about 75% of food produced on the continent is from small farms of less than 20 hectares, while 80% of the 51 million farms on the continent have an area less than two hectares.
“Developing rural economies helps curb urban migration. Every year, thousands of people leave rural areas, hoping for better opportunities in the big cities.
“By creating viable economic opportunities in rural areas, through initiatives such as The Village Economy Indaba whether in agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, or small-scale manufacturing, we can reduce the strain on our cities while enhancing quality of life in the countryside,” the Deputy Minister said.
Letsike said vulnerable groups such as women, youth, LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender or intersex), persons and persons with disabilities are the hardest hit by climate change.
“Therefore, renewable energy projects, like solar and wind farms in areas such as the Northern and Eastern Cape, to eco-tourism in Limpopo and the Western Cape, rural South Africa holds immense potential for green growth and sustainability, particularly as we engage the Just Energy Transition.
“By focusing on sustainable practices, we can preserve our environment for future generations while creating jobs today.
“Many of us who have a rural background will understand that even our indigenous agricultural practices such as companion planting have been proven to promote soil health and maximise production on small pieces of land and it is still used by many farmers in rural areas,” Letsike said. –SAnews.gov.za
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