1. Hon. members, the MF is enthusiastic to debate the Agriculture budget because the progressive MEC and senior management are open to new ways of working.
2. Moreover, the budget is continuously favouring rural development. We are confident that the strategic move of the establishment of veterinary clinics, nurseries and research in current opportunities like Hemp production with village groups and small farmers. All these efforts marks a new chapter on sustainable agriculture and assist in better spending patterns.
3. The MF will closely monitor the grants allocated for rehabilitating rural land. What we would be calling for is the identification and filling of critical posts in these highly specialised areas.
4. An area of research that needs greater focus is the use of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals to ensure these do not hurt the quality of our products as these may not be marketable in the foreseeable future.
5. In terms of repopulating the rural areas means working with local government and establishing villages that have a formal Village Council by way of Ordinance. This is a recommendation that requires pursuance.
6. Other areas of focus in terms of committee work would be the uptake of permaculture and Agroforestry since KZN has a conducive agricultural landscape.
7. In terms of the total picture, as COVID-19 had pushed public and private sector health sectors to work together, so must this be for Agriculture, if we want to achieve most of the 17 SDG’s by 2030. The MF would like to see more joint virtual engagements. Knowledge and other resource sharing is imperative for sustainable agriculture.
8. With these recommendations, the Minority Front supports the over R2,53 billion Vote 3 budget.
9. Thank you.

Hon. S. Thakur-Rajbansi