Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area<\/a>, has a total area of 4,850 square miles (12,561 sq km).<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis means the land acquired under the land redistribution programme is around twice the size of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople don\u2019t realise how big that is,\u201d he said. \u201cWe produce all our grain and oilseeds on 4.5 million hectares, so 2.5 million is more than half of that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat land has not been transferred to black South Africans with title deeds. That process must happen,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, he added that it must be through proper beneficiary selection, and it must come with title deeds, blended finance, and the necessary training support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He argued that land reform must serve both restorative justice and economic growth, especially in a country grappling with high poverty, unemployment, and weak growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sihlobo also addressed misconceptions surrounding the Expropriation Act and the debate on expropriation without compensation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He distinguished between the expropriation debate that emerged in 2017, when the ANC proposed amending section 25 of the Constitution, and the new Expropriation Act, which aligns the existing 1970s legislation with the Constitution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is a fear that expropriation will be widespread, but the Act only allows for nil compensation in limited cases, and the courts, not politicians, must decide that<\/strong>,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile he acknowledged the fears of landowners and farmers, Sihlobo argued that the safeguards in place should reassure them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFarmers have invested heavily. As we speak today, farm debt is over R220 billion. No one wants to undermine that investment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SA agriculture is thriving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Despite challenges, Sihlobo maintains that South African agriculture is not under siege but is, in fact, thriving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since 1994, the sector has more than doubled in both value and volume terms. \u201cThere are more people working in agriculture today than in 1994, despite advances in technology,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Improved seed varieties and genetics, and expanding export markets have been the two key drivers of this growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stressed the need to rekindle the momentum of the early 2000s to 2015, when the government played an active role in opening new markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, he sees great potential. \u201cThe gross value added of agriculture could expand by 30% over the next five to ten years,\u201d he noted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd we still believe the sector and its value chain can create up to a million jobs, as was outlined in the National Development Plan.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, he emphasised that this hinges on unlocking the 2.5 million hectares the state currently holds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To achieve inclusive growth, Sihlobo urged policymakers to ensure that transformation is not seen as a zero-sum game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe must grow the agricultural pie. It\u2019s not about taking from one and giving to another, it\u2019s about building a bigger, more inclusive sector,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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