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MTBPS 2019: Agriculture left high and dryAgri SA has announced that it is disappointed with the medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS) delivered by the minister of finance, Tito Mboweni. ![]() Aleksandr1982 via Pixabay "Whilst the MTBPS does not include detailed spending plans or tax proposals, the minister could have given more recognition to the role of the agricultural sector and its resilience in the face of many challenges, for example, the impact of longer-term droughts," says Dr Requier Wait, head of Economics and Trade Centre of Excellence at Agri SA. Highlights from the MTBPSThe MTBPS gave a report and set out the context and assumptions that will inform next year’s budget. Highlights from the MTBPS include: • National debt is increasing at an unsustainable pace with expenditure continuing to exceed revenue. Placing greater emphasis on agricultureAgri SA will continue its lobbying efforts for government to place greater emphasis on agriculture, to make adequate resources available to boost the sector’s competitiveness and to support the sector, especially in areas affected by drought. This will allow the sector to continue producing quality food for the country while contributing toward job creation and poverty alleviation as envisaged by chapter six of the National Development Plan (NDP). |