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N A MPO
and engage a wide audience. It
is not merely a debate between
people already involved in this
sector. Nation in Conversation
goes beyond agriculture. It is
about you, and me, and our
future together,” says Strydom.
Training and developing
new entrants to agriculture,
mentorship programmes and
incentive schemes are some of
the issues to be considered.
Land reform and ownership
remains a contentious issue. It
is widely accepted that land
ownership and the utilisation
of land should be viewed
in a different way. While it
is undeniable that the issue
of access to land has to be
addressed, this should not
happen at the loss of food
production. This is a cost
the country can ill afford. In
order to facilitate the process
of transformation without
undue compromise, Nation
in Conversation believes it is
essential to create a platform
where different mindsets can
engage to find common ground.
The severe pressure that is
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currently being placed on our
natural resources and the scarcity
thereof will also come under
the spotlight. Combined efforts
have to be made to address
these threats and adopt more
eco-friendly farming practices
to provide for a secure future.
New business models have to
be investigated to ensure lasting
agricultural production.
This also brings the matter
of the integration of technology
in agriculture to the fore. New
technology, although initially
expensive, can help tremendously
to bring the cost of production
down in the long run and
underscores the competitiveness
of the South African farmer in
a world market. “South African
farmers are widely considered
as early adopters of technology.
It is, however, essential that we
find ways of extending our reach
further through the creation
of a technological “hub” in
agriculture,” says Strydom.
Nation in Conversation will
host daily panel discussions
in English and Afrikaans in
front of a live studio audience
at Nampo. These debates,
hosted by economist and
television anchor Theo Vorster,
will be broadcast on various
television screens placed
throughout the venue and on
different media platforms.
“We hop H