17-09-2013, 10:38 AM
Johannesburg - Government has developed a national policy on food and nutrition security for South Africa, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson revealed on Tuesday.
Speaking at the SABC/New Age Business Breakfast in Johannesburg, the minister said her department developed the national policy on food and nutrition security in partnership with the Department of Social Development.
She said the policy includes the Food Production Intervention which they have named Fetsa Tlala, or “end hungerâ€.
“Fetsa Tlala is aimed firstly at ensuring that under-used agricultural land is brought under production. We will work with communities, assisting them as required, to ensure that we use every bit of land to produce food.
“Through the Fetsa Tlala food production intervention, we have brought 200 000 hectares of land under production in seven provinces. Our targeted goal is 1 million hectares in the next 5 years,†she said.
Joemat-Pettersson also announced that this month they will officially launch the opening of the 2013/14 planting season, with President Jacob Zuma in the Free State.
“We are very fortunate to have the support of President Zuma who recognizes the potential of the agriculture sector to combat poverty, address food security, and also to create jobs.
“Once the food is produced and harvested through Fetsa Tlala, we will then ensure that there is sufficient support for SMMEs in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries processing sectors to mill the meal or pack the vegetables,†she said.
The minister said they will also work with the Department of Trade and Industry to establish markets for these small scale producers, be they farmers, fishers, or foresters.
“This is no dream; it is already happening on the ground, where thousands of hectares have been successfully placed under production – some for consumption, and some for sale, stimulating local economies.
“Government runs hospitals … we have the South African National Defence Force, school feeding schemes and prisons. Smallholder farmers and producers should have a market in these organisations.
“Government should be buying food straight from our smallholders and creating viable markets for them. This is what Fetsa Tlala is about. It is about unlocking the economies of rural areas,†she said.
The minister said for the country to adequately deal with food insecurity, it only makes sense that those who previously had nothing also receive an opportunity to get out of poverty.
“We are confident that Fetsa Tlala will do just that – eradicate poverty. We are determined that food can go from the farmer’s gate to the consumer’s plate – for all our citizens,†she said. - SAnews.gov.za
Speaking at the SABC/New Age Business Breakfast in Johannesburg, the minister said her department developed the national policy on food and nutrition security in partnership with the Department of Social Development.
She said the policy includes the Food Production Intervention which they have named Fetsa Tlala, or “end hungerâ€.
“Fetsa Tlala is aimed firstly at ensuring that under-used agricultural land is brought under production. We will work with communities, assisting them as required, to ensure that we use every bit of land to produce food.
“Through the Fetsa Tlala food production intervention, we have brought 200 000 hectares of land under production in seven provinces. Our targeted goal is 1 million hectares in the next 5 years,†she said.
Joemat-Pettersson also announced that this month they will officially launch the opening of the 2013/14 planting season, with President Jacob Zuma in the Free State.
“We are very fortunate to have the support of President Zuma who recognizes the potential of the agriculture sector to combat poverty, address food security, and also to create jobs.
“Once the food is produced and harvested through Fetsa Tlala, we will then ensure that there is sufficient support for SMMEs in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries processing sectors to mill the meal or pack the vegetables,†she said.
The minister said they will also work with the Department of Trade and Industry to establish markets for these small scale producers, be they farmers, fishers, or foresters.
“This is no dream; it is already happening on the ground, where thousands of hectares have been successfully placed under production – some for consumption, and some for sale, stimulating local economies.
“Government runs hospitals … we have the South African National Defence Force, school feeding schemes and prisons. Smallholder farmers and producers should have a market in these organisations.
“Government should be buying food straight from our smallholders and creating viable markets for them. This is what Fetsa Tlala is about. It is about unlocking the economies of rural areas,†she said.
The minister said for the country to adequately deal with food insecurity, it only makes sense that those who previously had nothing also receive an opportunity to get out of poverty.
“We are confident that Fetsa Tlala will do just that – eradicate poverty. We are determined that food can go from the farmer’s gate to the consumer’s plate – for all our citizens,†she said. - SAnews.gov.za