Land distribution should be based on agronomic success

Frank Winder, CEO of Advanced Nutrients believes that any agricultural redistribution plan will not achieve its required long term political outcome unless the agricultural potential of all South African agricultural land is achieved on an on-going basis and in such a way as to ensure 'food security and safety'.

Many agriculturally focussed business plans are devised by agricultural economists, financiers and accountants who produce theoretically workable business plans. These plans are often based on theoretical crop production potential. The key to the success of these plans lies in ensuring that the farm's potential is achieved. This can only be done by exercising the necessary on-farm agronomic and production skills.

Focus should be on technical aspects

In order to effect this, focus needs to be placed on the technical aspects of farm-based operations. These plans need to include the assistance of specialised agricultural businesses with suitable skills to ensure the required commercial outcome of the transferred farmlands.

"We fully understand the underlying issues that are associated with the concept of land redistribution. It is a reality in South Africa which needs to be carried out in a legal and politically acceptable manner in order to keep economic and political stability in South Africa and to develop the potential of a business sector which is growing rapidly in importance. Our impression is that most commercial farmers understand the process and really want to get on with putting the process into effect and in many areas the outcome of the current process has been concluded and everyone is getting on with life," says Winder.

"One of the risks is that the theoretical political process has been carried out and the land has changed hands, but no thought has been given apparently to ensuring the sustainability of the farming operations concerned and as a result potential supply and security of food is put at risk.

New land owners must be assisted

"The difficulties in effectively ensuring the achievement of these two requirements is leading to frustration and heightened emotions in many political camps, some predicating dire food shortages for South Africa and others calling for outright, Zimbabwe-style land grabs. Both of which would have dire consequences for South Africa, its economy and its population as a whole. Simply put, in order for South Africa's agricultural lands to maintain their required output, it is vital that recipients of redistributed land be given assistance to ensure sustainable crop output at the same or higher levels as before.

"Without the assistance of companies with the necessary capacity in the farming sector, any programme to redistribute farmlands will be hard to make successful if not impossible. The perceptions relating to the ineffectiveness of 'redistribution programmes' will remain a problem and even a growing source of embarrassment as long as the physical farming operations do not receive the attention that they deserve. There is a cruel perception that once agricultural land has been redistributed the end game has been achieved from a political perspective. The reality is that the business of ensuring the profitability and sustainability and thereby food security, has only just begun," says Winder.

Situation is worsening

"Many farms that were productive at a stage are now lying fallow and not producing. Sustainability has now become a prime concern for successful farming in the long term. It is becoming more and more evident that this cannot be done without proper management of the farms after redistribution as well as Government's involvement to help farmers take advantage of a growing worldwide demand for agricultural products. Which needs to be achieved with the correct farming techniques, sales avenues and business connections.

"The longer it takes to turn farming practices around, the worse the situation gets. We would welcome the opportunity of working in partnerships on suitable projects to evaluate agricultural processes and assist in developing a healthy and prosperous agricultural business sector. We need to concentrate on the right approaches and techniques for creating partnerships with new farmers in a bid to benefit South Africa as a whole," concludes Winder.