Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance debated in support of the Department Budget tabled by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, because the Department is making momentous progress in agricultural exports, protection of livestock and development of agricultural skills.
The DA has celebrated that Minister Steenhuisen stopped a bread price hike earlier this year, and recently Minister Steenhuisen declared the foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape contained.
South African exports of fruit and fresh produce continue to increase under Minister Steenhuisen to new markets – especially fruit exports to Asia, where he opened up export channels that had been closed for many years. Agricultural exports under Minister Steenhuisen have grown 10% so far, and have been the biggest addition to South African GDP of any sector.
The DA recognises the emphasis by Minister Steenhuisen on developing agricultural skills, where 66,000 famers have received new training, and 3,000 agricultural graduates have been placed in new internships.
Extracts of the DA Debate speeches in the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces yesterday afternoon are as follows:
Beyers Smit MP
- Partnerships with companies like SAB and Unilever are helping emerging farmers and creating jobs.
- Outdated agricultural laws are being reviewed to boost innovation and food safety.
- Exports to Thailand, China, and others have reopened, growing market access and rural jobs.
- R5.8 billion in finance and export training is building a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs.
- Stronger biosecurity and mass vaccinations are protecting farmers from major disease outbreaks.
Willie Aucamp MP
- Agriculture is growing fast under Minister Steenhuisen’s focus on inclusion, biosecurity, and modernisation.
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease shows the urgent need to complete vaccine facilities, as ARC and OBP continue to fail.
- Funds must be shifted from underperforming programmes to fix biosecurity and protect rural jobs.
- Farm attacks must be declared a priority crime to secure food production and rural safety.
- This budget must be backed by strong oversight and zero tolerance for failure.
NCOP Debates
Mzamo Billy MP
- The ANC failed agriculture through mismanagement; the DA is restoring accountability and competence.
- The DA’s focus is on land rights, infrastructure, market access, biosecurity, and empowering farmer support.
- Biosecurity progress has boosted exports, with a 5% growth target this year.
- Agriculture is being modernised through digital systems for grants, vet services, and trade.
- The DA backs this budget as it drives jobs, food security, and clean governance.
Nico Pienaar MP
- Agriculture drove over 15% growth in Q1, proving its potential to anchor South Africa’s economic recovery.
- The focus is on supporting young and emerging farmers to secure future food production.
- Market access remains the biggest barrier for small-scale farmers, not production capacity.
- Local vaccine production is restarting to boost biosecurity and fight foot-and-mouth disease.
- The DA backs the new direction and will hold the department accountable for delivery and rural safety.
Sonja Boshoff MP
- Agriculture supports food security, jobs, and growth, with a R7.6 billion budget aligned to national goals.
- Exports in citrus, apples, wool, and wine are growing, boosting jobs and investment.
- Emerging farmers still face market and infrastructure barriers despite good policy intent
- Blended finance and partnerships work and should be scaled across all provinces.
- Climate-smart farming and better post-harvest systems are vital for sustainability.
Regards
Liza Albrecht
National Media Operations Manager