 The report provides details on maximizing finance for development in agricultural value chains. It highlights financing gaps, identifies a range of potential funding sources, and suggests possible actions to help crowd-in more private investment, while optimizing the use of public resources. The recommended actions are aligned with the aim to address the market failures that lead to inadequate levels of privately provided goods and services to achieve global development goals. Implementation of MFD in agricultural value chains will require an approach to diagnostics that is more oriented to the private sector, as well as structured, inclusive public-private dialogue to help inform the design of a robust reform and investment program. Please click on report to peruse.
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 The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Minister Senzeni Zokwana, as well as the Deputy Minister, Mr Sifiso Buthelezi, delivered their respective Budget Vote speeches to Parliament on the 16th of May 2018. The total budget presented for 2018/19 stands at seven billion one hundred and sixty-five million rand (R7.165 billion), which is roughly 5% higher than the R6,807 billion of the previous year. Please click on Minister's Budget Vote Speech and Deputy Minister's Budget Vote Speech to peruse respectively.
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 The new Financial Sector Levies Bill was recently published for public comments on which Treasury developed a formal response»
Based on the public comments received on the draft Levies Bill and subsequent discussions with key role players, t
he JSE held a
meeting with National Treasury, the PA and the FSCA
regarding the Levies Bill.
There is a definite willingness to understand all concerns
. The PA recognised that the quantum budgeted for may be too high and that the apportionment across the two authorities requires a closer look. Following the JSE presentation,
they acknowledge that it is difficult to determine what quantum is reasonable without an understanding of what each authority will supervise.
Additional information is available at:
National Treasury has asked for additional comments on the Levies Bill as it is, and also requested the JSE to propose what quantum it thinks is feasible/reasonable and/or alternate models of calculation of the levy. The Bill will only be tabled in Parliament in September after the 3 month constituency period but will progress very quickly thereafter, so it is important that all concerns are raised within the extended commentary period.
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The Quarterly Labour Force Survey conducted by Statistics South Africa showed a 3% y/y decline in agricultural employment in the first quarter of this year to 847 000 jobs. This was underpinned by a reduction in employment in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Whilst understanding the reduction in employment for the Western Cape, in other provinces this came as a surprise considering that the weather conditions have been relatively favourable in the eastern parts of the country since the end of 2015/16 drought - Wandile Sihlobo provides more information in the
linked update»
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Click here to read the daily market view on commodities and the weekly wrap.
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Following the
note released last month, the total agricultural exports and imports for the first two months of 2018 were adjusted downward by R43.01 and R5.05 million respectively in March 2018. Despite the adjustment, the cumulative agricultural trade surplus increased to R7.563 billion boosted by summer fruits, beverages and fish products exports. The total agricultural exports were valued at R32.375 whereas imports were valued at R24.812 billion. Sifiso Ntombela provides more information in the
linked update»
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Looking forward to 2035, Nation in Conversation asked the question on Thursday 17 May:
"
How will new technology change the face of agriculture as we know it today?"
Kobus Steenekamp, MD, Monsanto South Africa was one of the panel members during this discussion and shared with the audience his excitement on the fascinating happenings, now and in the future regarding technology. He said that most of the technologies that will take us to 2035 and beyond will be disruptive technologies. It will phase out certain processes and phase out certain skills. It will be imperative for both input suppliers as well as producers, to upskill
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Media release»
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Welcome Function: 6 June 2018
Gala Dinner: 7 June 2018
Agbiz AGM: 8 June 2018
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World Potato Congress
27-31 May 2018 | Peru | South America
Potatoes SA Transformation Symposium
7 June 2018 | Pretoria
More information
Agri Human Capital Mini-Summit
Peritum Agri Institute
14-15 June 2018 | Peritum Campus | Bloemfontein
More information
4th Annual Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) week
16-20 July 2018 | Johannesburg
More information»
Manufacturing Indaba
19-20 June 2018 | Sandton Convention Centre | Johannesburg
More information
Vision 2030 Summit
 20-21 June 2018 | Emperors Palace | Gauteng
More information
When you register enter coupon #vision20304 for 10% discount
Farmer's Weekly Argentina Tour 2018
22 June - 1 July 2018
More information
IFAMA World Conference
23-27 June 2018 | Buenos Aires | Argentina
More information
Regional Trade Facilitation Forum for grain stakeholders in the Eastern & Southern Africa region
28 June 2018 | Lusaka | Zambia
The Forum is expected to convene sellers and buyers of grain commodities from the Southern and Eastern Africa regions to network and execute trade deals.
Invitation letter
Programme
Registration form
4th Annual Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) week
16-20 July 2018 | Johannesburg
More information»
FW Agribusiness Africa Conference
18-19 July 2018 | Emperors Palace
Theme: Partnerships for equitable trade
Enquiries: Marianna du Plessis, e-mail
africa@caxton.co.za
To view speakers, click here
International Soy for Human Health Conference
1-3 August 2018 | St George Hotel and Conference Centre | Pretoria
More information
PMA Fresh Connections Southern Africa
Conference and Trade show
15-16 August, 2018 |
CSIR | Pretoria
Early bird registrations now open
PMA Women's Fresh Perspectives:
Register now for the Women's Fresh Perspectives event which includes a luncheon with keynote
speaker
Adv. Thuli Madonsela
@ThuliMadonsela3
This is a limited seating event!
AGRI 5 Commodities Workshop & Expo
20-21 September 2018
Venue: East London Show Grounds
Contact info: 011 056 6856
Agbiz Grain Symposium
21 August 2018 | Pretoria
FERTASA Soil Fertility & Plant Nutrition Symposium
21 August 2018 | CSIR | Pretoria
Enquiries:
candice@fertasa.co.za
56th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA)
25-27 September 2018 | Lord Charles Hotel | Somerset-West
Media release
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Being a member of Agbiz provides various benefits and opportunities
- Agbiz is the only organisation that serves the broader and common over-arching business interests of agribusinesses in South Africa.
- Agbiz addresses the legislative and policy environment on the many fronts that it impacts on the agribusiness environment.
- Agbiz facilitates considerable top-level networking opportunities so that South African agribusinesses can play an active and creative role within the local and international organised business environment.
- Agbiz research provides sector specific information for informed decision making.
- Agbiz newsletter publishes members' press releases and member product announcements.
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Third-party website links to this newsletter
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The Agbiz Newsletter may contain a few links to websites that belong to third parties unrelated to us. By making these links available, we are not endorsing third-party websites, their content, products, services or their events. Agbiz seeks to protect the integrity of its newsletter and links placed upon it, and therefore welcomes any feedback.
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