Delegates at the National African Farmers’ Convention on Friday elected an interim structure to relaunch the National African Farmers Union of South Africa at provincial level before March 2011.
National facilitator of the NAFU-SA revitalisation project, Aggrey Mahanjana, said three delegates from each province, representing the agricultural commodities in those provinces, were elected to the interim structure.
The 27-member interim council must go back to the various provinces to relaunch NAFU structures at provincial level to elect delegates to a national elective conference to relaunch NAFU nationally.
On Friday, the Bloemfontein Convention endorsed a constitution, structure and strategic plan with amendments that would be taken to emerging and small holding farmers in the provinces.
Deputy-President of NAFCOC Steve Skhosana applauded the initiative by government to close the gap between the government and emergent farmers and the farmers themselves.
“The process [convention] was a very positive step.”
Skhosana said a further positive sign at the convention was that there was “signs of unity” as well as “good signs” for agricultural related issues.
“It was good that farmers talk more about issues, not just land.”
Skhosana said talks usually resolved around the mix-up with land [restitution] and not so much about production.
“Land on its own is not a good asset, if not used.” — Sapa