Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has commended the signing of the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Bill into law.
The law aims to support long-term food production as well as the department’s goal of creating more jobs and economic growth.
Signed by President Ramaphosa on Monday, the bill supports government’s objectives and priorities, in respect of the sustainable management and use of natural resources.
READ | President signs landmark law to preserve and develop agricultural land
It also sets out a countrywide policy and regulatory framework for the preservation, and development of agricultural land.
The legislation further recognises the need for a national regulatory framework to coordinate the preservation and development of agricultural land in a proactive manner, prevent the fragmentation of agricultural land.
It further recognises the need to minimise the loss of agricultural land and promote viable farming units, encourage the optimal use of agricultural land, and to provide for food security.
Steenhuisen highlighted that since the 2000’s there has been various attempts to develop legislation to replace the Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act (SALA) of 1970 (Act no. 70 of 1970), as valuable agricultural land was being lost at an alarming rate to residential and mining purposes.
“It is estimated that less than 13% of South Africa’s 122 million hectares of land is high potential agriculture land. Improving food security is one of the Department of Agriculture’s seven strategic priorities.
“We want to create an environment for agriculture to prosper, and to ensure the sector creates much needed jobs and food security. The ability to protect and preserve high potential agriculture land for this purpose, is one of the essential tools to achieve this goal,” Steenhuisen said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Minister also announced that an advisory committee, including not more than ten members, will be established to advise on achieving the objects of the Act, and any other matter concerning the preservation and sustainable development of agricultural land. – SAnews.gov.za
