Research Symposium to address current agriculture environment

10 Mar 2016

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana will deliver a keynote address at the first NAMC Research Symposium on 23 March 2016 at St George Hotel, Centurion. The symposium is to respond to the current environment and developments such as AGOA, drought, food prices, etc. that is affecting agriculture and South Africa's response to this.

Research Symposium to address current agriculture environment

The purpose of the Research Symposium is to direct the framing of a new agriculture research agenda in pursuance of better advice to government, business and civil society, and to create a platform for engagement and debate among NAMC’s stakeholders on current topics affecting the agricultural sector.

Renowned speakers like Ben Cousins (PLAAS), Katishi Masemola (FAWU), Siyabulela Tsengiwe (Chief Commissioner, ITAC), Hlamalani Ngwenya (international expert), André Jooste, (industry specialist), Ismail Motala (farmer), and Konanani Liphadzi (Fruit Industry Chief )will be among the panellists.

Sessions will be facilitated by distinguished industry experts Moraka Makhura and John Purchase.

Discussions and debates will revolve around contemporary issues influencing South Africa’s food marketing and trade system, South African agro-food chains: drought, food security availability and funding of transformation in South Africa. The result of the symposium will produce a policy brief attached with recommendations to the Minister. Furthermore, the symposium will be built to bring closer research collaboration between government, business and civil society. This is to ensure the survival of the sector and its future.