English and Afrikaans soundbites from MPP Andricus van der Westhuizen attached.
In a parliamentary reply to a DA question, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture has revealed that the province has added 70 987 agriculture jobs since 2012. This equates to a 60.7% increase.
What makes this achievement even more impressive, is that growth has taken place at a much greater rate than any other province. Gauteng is the next-best performing province, seeing only a 10% growth in jobs over the same period.
In the Western Cape, the biggest limiting factor to agricultural sector growth is a shortage of water, meaning National Government projects like the raising of the Clanwilliam Dam wall which have been dragging on for years have a direct impact on the ability of the sector to create jobs.
Furthermore, an enabling value chain environment is necessary to maximise agricultural growth, with the Port of Cape Town’s efficiency and reliable rail transport being two areas of concern that need to be addressed by National Government.
MPP Andricus van der Westhuizen said: “The Western Cape agricultural sector has shown remarkable resilience over the past decade. While unemployment remains the biggest challenge in the province, this sector has broken with the trend to become a reliable source of job creation.
The Provincial Department of Agriculture should also be commended on their steadfast support to farmers in the province, which has undoubtedly contributed to the success of the sector. The DA in the Western Cape is proud that where we govern, agriculture is thriving.”