DALRRD FOCUS BY JESSIE TAYLOR
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development BUMPER HARVEST BRINGS HOPE FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY The agriculture sector recorded a bumper harvest in the 2020/ 2021 season. The successful year not only added to the economy but also created jobs and optimism among agribusinesses and brought with it hope of strong economic recovery after the pandemic -an endeavour in which the agricultural sector has a strategic role to play. REAPING THE REWARDS OF A HEALTHY HARVEST The agriculture sector is one of the few that has proven itself resilient despite the pandemic – highlighted by the year's excellent performance - and has been earmarked as a key focus in South Africa's economic recovery. Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza says the agricultural sector had proven to be one of the industries that had bolstered the economy and created job opportunities. The increased exports have set a strong benchmark for this year, and experts anticipate it could bring record export and production numbers. It is anticipated that the sector could reach a record export of R173-billion this year – higher than the R167-billion generated in 2018 and R160-billion in 2020. In addition, the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index reached a new high during the last quarter of the year – a result of the favourable outlook generated by the production season.
46 | Public Sector Leaders | February 2022
