Now farming slips into crisis

“SOUTH Africa, which failed to tap into the resources boom in recent years at considerable cost to the economy, is now missing out on opportunities to create jobs and expand production in the agricultural sector.

At a time when global investors are flocking to put money into agricultural projects on the continent, uncertainty over land reform and water usage rights, poor disease control, government incompetence and uncoordinated policies that hamper job creation are restricting expansion.

Food is expected to replace “old world” precious metals as the most sought-after commodity, Gareth Ackerman, Pick n Pay chairman, said this week.”