Deputy Chair, the agricultural sector is very important to grow our economy. [Interjections.]
The agricultural sector is very important to grow our economy. The sector has a great potential to create many of the much-needed job opportunities and can help to grow our economy. The agricultural sector, as many other sectors of our economy, is still dominated by a few players and there is thus a great need to ensure inclusive economic participation by all.
The ANC government is committed to ensuring an increased agricultural production to boost our slow economy. The budget is very important to ensure the realisation of the objective and as the ANC, we support this Budget Vote.
We call upon the DA to come on board and help the department in advancing our agrarian and land reform programme. There is a great healing when we pull together in one direction. We noticed that, in the Western Cape, there is a slow pace of inclusive participation in the sector.
We cannot grow our economy when we continue to work in silos. We need a co- ordinated effort from all provinces and municipalities to advance Outcome 7 and Outcome 10 of our Medium-Term Strategic Framework, MTSF, and these are aligned to our NDP goals.
The budget will help unleashing a number of job opportunities under Operation Phakisa, with the target to assist about 435 000 farmers by the end of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework period.
Why does the EFF claim that the ANC government is failing our farmers? This is unwanted and we have made considerable progress in
a certain area under our land reform, especially in the land restitution and security of the land tenure. [Interjections.]
The last 25 years have provided us with a lesson and the department has taken note of areas that still need attention and that will be attended to, as recommended by this Parliament. The ANC supports this budget.
No, the seconds was just too few. It was ... [Inaudible.] ... worth it.