Budget Speech 2023: ‘Agriculture still losing out’ – TLU SA
The Transvaal Agricultural Union of South Africa responded to the recent budget saying it is supposed to provide hope for a better future for everyone, but it seems that agriculture is still losing out.
Although the Transvaal Agricultural Union of South Africa (TLU SA) welcomed the planned expenditure of about R400 billion on infrastructure over the next three years, they said agriculture is still losing out.
Recently, Minister Godongwana presented the 2023 Budget Speech which focused on the government’s planned economic growth in the new financial year based on three pillars, namely a stable macroeconomic framework, the implementation of key reforms, especially in energy and transportation, and improved government capacity.
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“The government says its ability to invest in new infrastructure was due to weak growth, rising expenditure pressure, and financial support for state-owned companies. It’s a case of passing the buck. The ruling party was the main cause of all these problems due to poor management,” said Bennie van Zyl, general manager of TLU SA.
We want to see how the repair of roads and water supply will be addressed. Furthermore, we would also like to see the R227.3 million budgeted for safety and security being used for the protection of farms.
It is just unfortunate that there is no mention of farm attacks anywhere, and unfortunately, it shows where the priority lies regarding this issue.
“Farmers are spending more and more on diesel to keep the production process going for the sake of the country’s food security. Nothing is being done to help with this. How does the government expect food to stay on tables and shelves if they don’t lift a finger to help? This while the Covid-19 social relief grant is extended for another year.”
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Van Zyl added the minister undertook that the National Energy Crisis Committee will reduce the intensity of power outages.
“Farmers are not able to irrigate their crops. We are still looking for a solution to this. How does the fact that the government takes over R254 billion of Eskom’s debt obligations benefit agriculture and the people who need to produce food for the country?”
He said TLU SA believed that government capacity can only be strengthened with the help of the country’s inhabitants, but that the current affirmative action policy hampers any positive progress.
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“The results of the government’s policy of cadre deployment also raise serious questions about the expertise and reliability to ensure that money is spent sensibly and correctly. What matters is the implementation, but unfortunately, trust in it has been broken.”
Van Zyl said that it is good that there is a focus on providing individuals with the benefit of solar panel installations, but businesses, including farms, should also receive a benefit.
Literally thousands of rands will have to be spent just to stay in production for the benefit of everyone in the country, but the benefits are limited to individuals only.
“A budget is supposed to provide hope for a better future for everyone, but it seems that agriculture is still losing out.”
