Presidency: Land proposals not new
2012-10-24 20:33
Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma's recent proposals for land reform were part of the national development plan released in August, the presidency said on Wednesday.
"The presidency welcomes the debate that has ensued over the proposals in the agriculture and land sectors, as it enriches the discussions on this important topic," it said in a statement.
According to the plan, 1 500 000ha were being cultivated under irrigation, and this could be expanded by at least 500 000ha.
This would require that water resources be better used, and could create one million new agricultural jobs by 2030.
The plan also called for under-used land in communal areas and existing land reform projects to be brought into commercial production and that new farmers be supported.
The plan proposed a "district-based" approach to land reform and financing.
"It proposes that each district should establish a district land reform committee where all stakeholders are involved," the presidency said.
The committee would identify 20% of commercial farm land in the district and look for ways to transfer it to black farmers.
- SAPA
