Effective local governments are essential for sustainable economic growth in the province.
This according to Dr Ivan Meyer, provincial minister of agriculture, who was speaking at the opening of the provincial Department of Agriculture’s inaugural Municipal Agricultural Summit at Goudini Spa in Rawsonville last Thursday (4 August).
The two-day summit focused on crucial matters that impact the agricultural sector in the local government arena. These included critical issues such as land reform and rural safety.
In addition, the gathering provided opportunities for sharing linkages and identifying areas for closer cooperation between the agricultural sector and local authorities of the province.
“Agriculture is the most competitive sector of the economy in our five rural districts. Furthermore, the sector contributes to 14,4% of all jobs in the Western Cape. Agriculture is therefore important to local government,” Meyer said.
“An attack on a farmer or agri-worker and the theft of cables and irrigation pumps is an attack on our rural economy.
“Under-resourced rural police stations leave communities particularly vulnerable. For this reason, I welcome the City of Cape Town’s offer to share some of its crime-fighting resources such as training, knowledge and experience with rural municipalities. Innovation, partnerships, and collaboration is key to establishing an effective rural safety network.”
Agriculture is the core of the rural economies in the province and municipalities are dependent on the regional economic contribution of agriculture, Meyer explained.
He further emphasised the need for greater collaboration between local municipalities and the agriculture sector.
“Towns in our rural areas are dependent on agriculture. So, we must create a closer working relationship between municipalities and the agricultural sector for the future growth of towns in the Western Cape,” Meyer pointed out.
“This summit has achieved our objectives of creating an enabling environment for agriculture at the municipal level.
“I am thankful that we have functional and well-run municipalities in the Western Cape, because this helps our farmers and producers.”
