Page 29 - SA Fruit Journal VOLUME 14

Agriculture is a serious businessLukhANyo NkombiSA Transformation As the year comes to an end one wishesthat things would calm down in terms of engagements and other activities. But within the Citrus Industry we were still busy ensuring that all our growers’ requirements in terms of trade relations, linking our pro- ducers to finances and support from nation- al, provincial, district and local municipali- ties have been addressed.2014 was a hectic year for the transforma- tion portfolio of the Citrus Growers' Associa- tion. The most important issues I think that needed our engagement with our stakehold- ers was the commodity approach in terms of supporting the commercial and small holder farmers. It was repeatedly mentioned by pol- iticians and industries that we need to take agriculture seriously and most importantly as a growing business concern.Pilot of Agricultural Business Management ProgrammeThe CGA transformation portfolio and Citrus Academy came together in piloting the Ag- riculture Business Management programme in the EC for our small producers. The pro- gramme kicked off very well, interest being shown by our producers irrespective of the fact that it was also during the harvesting season.The programme is still under way as it is arranged in blocks with breaks in between. This is one of the initiatives of taking agricul- ture as a business seriously.DAFF & CGA EngagementsThe CGA and Citrus Academy have had a number of meetings with DAFF Directorates of Marketing, Small Holder Support and Ex- tension Service. The purpose of these meet- ings was to request DAFF to work with CGA in initiatives that required their intervention and support. The Directorate Marketing com- mitted to support CGA/CA in the industry’sinitiative of the Emerging Export Excellence Programme. They indicated that they would fund the whole initiative. A JV agreement is in the final stages of being signed.The Extension Service directorate was re- quested by CGA to prepare a proposal to be sent to AgriSETA requesting funding for the training of provincial extension officers who will provide extension services to citrus pro- ducers. The process is on-going as CGA indi- cated that it would assist in the development of the proposal to be sent to AgriSETA.CGA Provincial Engagement & PlanningAs we are all aware many initiatives slowed down or came to a standstill in the run up to and during the South African general elec- tions. A new government is now in place and we can expect to move forward in our devel- opmental objectives.After the elections new ministers and MECs were appointed and it is with appre- ciation that the CGA has been able to interact with them at an early stage. This early interac- tion was seen as being important due to the MOUs which CGA has in place with a num- ber of provinces. In addition, with regard to provinces where citrus is produced and CGA does not have MOUs, it was seen as an oppor- tunity to renew discussions to move towards entering into constructive relationships.In these engagements I would like to single out the Western Cape Province as it has shown a lot of interest in supporting the transformation initiatives of the Citrus Growers' Association.Western CapeThe CGA was approached by Goede Hoop Sitrus in Citrusdal about programmes that the provincial department has to support the development of commodities. The Trans- formation Manager subsequently met withGoede Hoop Sitrus.At the same time a meeting was also heldwith the department of agriculture to not only introduce CGA to them, but also to ad- vise it that CGA would like to be involved in a Citrus Commodity Project Allocation Com- mittee as is the case with other commodity organisations. It was agreed that the process would be set in motion. A close working re- lationship will need to be established with CASIDRA which oversees the WC support programme.Consultation commenced with the Execu- tive of the chamber to proceed with the en- gagement in the Western Cape. Meetings will have to be held with WC citrus growers to ex- plain the initiative and to get their support.Chris Hani District Municipality – ECThe Chris Hani District Municipality in the EC in the area of Queenstown invited all rel- evant stakeholders to a round table invest- ment session for two days. This is one of the district’s initiatives to ensure that agriculture is revived in the province and is taken seri- ously as the sector that can respond to the challenges that SA is facing.The CGA and other fruit industries were invited to the session to advise the district and the province on the relevant fruits that can be planted in that district. An estimated 1500 ha has been put aside to plant all kinds of fruit that will be relevant in the area look- ing at the climate, the type soils and also wa- ter availability. CGA was requested to head the panel discussion on Fruit Production Cluster in the District.Extension ServicesAt the beginning of every year the Citrus Research International’s two dedicated ex- tension officers meet their producers to plan extension activities for CONTINUED ON PAGE 28TRANSFORMASIE 26 FEB | MAART 2015