THE FUSE

Minister Willie Aucamp engaged with agricultural leaders, mega-farmers and Sampada in Modimolle, Limpopo, yesterday as part of efforts to strengthen South Africa’s agricultural sector and expand opportunities across the value chain. The engagement placed a strong focus on the importance of building an agricultural economy that creates value from primary production through to processing, manufacturing and export. Aucamp commended Sampada for supporting more than 1,000 local livelihoods, highlighting the wider economic impact that successful agricultural enterprises can have on communities. His message emphasised that sustainable agricultural development requires more than producing food on farms. It also requires investment, infrastructure, market access and value addition that can create employment and economic opportunities at every stage of the agricultural process.