The way forward for AGRISETA A summary and

The way forward for AGRISETA A summary and interpretation of discussion Dr Andre Kraak 15 Sept 2011, Johannesburg.

Nine lessons 1. Getting the ‘big picture’ (developing a ‘macro’, ‘mezo’ and ‘micro’ perspective of the sector) – historical, macro political economic view of sector - Threats of globalisation: eg, increased price volatility worsened by rise of bio-fuels industry Changing drivers of demand supply in sector - Political imperatives; upliftment of rural and agrarian society a major priority now: aim to build an inclusive economy: agriculture has huge role - AND: huge potential in the positive message of future agricultural growth given by Prof Volk

Nine lessons 2. Understanding of sectoral diversity needed - - Diversity of farm enterprises Danger of ‘one –size-fits all’ SETA needs to be embedded in sector understand agriculture value chain SETA needs sectoral expertise, not just E&T expertise What are the ‘best practice’ enterprises in the sector, eg, cooperatives, SMMEs, BEE farms Done any international comparative studies?

Nine lessons 3. Inter-departmental coordination - Critical along entire agriculture value chain – link to rural development strategy, industrial policy, environmental policy etc - Adopting a ‘whole-of-government’ approach, or as DG Qonde said, adopting ‘joined-up’ government

Nine lessons 4 - Absence of ‘partnerships’ between 3 levels of government Between government, industry, community and NGOs Between HE, FET colleges, Agricultural Colleges, and agricultural sector

Nine lessons 5. Institutional capacity and ‘compliance’ culture - - Capacities within Dept of Agriculture weak, especially around extension officers and high science specialists What is SETA doing about it Civil Servants adopted a compliance culture, doing only that which is required by government through imposed national targets

Nine lessons 6. Absence of future ‘positioning’ of sector - Inability to do strategic planning which looks into future, positions sector, - No evidence we are preparing of revival /’ramping-up’ in agriculture production along with ‘ramping up’ of E&T to meet future demands of a growing sector – to take advantage of high food prices, exports to Africa, increased consumption and increased use of land for agriculture -

Nine lessons 7. - - Need for labour market planning and analysis, and sector and enterprise studies Few have these technical skills Must guard against a too econometric view, also need a sociological insight into agrarian society – how do small agricultural enterprises actually work, what skills do they need? Need multi-year, in-house cumulative knowledge, institutional memory in the SETA and government, of the successes and failures of the past ten years

Nine lessons 8. Incorporation of ‘Green Economy’ into strategy - Throws up the future grand challenges – energy, water, climate change However, developing solution and alternatives is important creator of new jobs – eg, solar energy, aquaculture

Nine lessons 9. - - Supporting rural society Agriculture a key part of supporting rural development, creating a social economy, cooperatives, key role of local state institutions AGRI-SETA will have to manage this dual role – building the high value-added export sector, but also building a labour-absorbing, incoming generating communitarian rural society.