The threat of Expropriation without Compensation
28 February 2018
Expropriation of land without compensation “in a manner that increases agricultural production and improves food security” is impossible, says the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“Farming has become capital intensive and without security of tenure, farmers will not be prepared to make the huge investments in modern irrigation systems and banks will not finance these projects while there is a threat of expropriation without compensation,” said Ms Janine Myburgh, President of the Chamber.
She said that it the last 20 years there had been massive investments in agriculture in areas like the Western Cape where exporting food, fruit and wine had become a major creator of jobs and essential part of the economy. As a result, the whole landscape of the province had changed.
Productive farms used drip or micro irrigation systems, plastic tunnels and even shade netting to protect orchards against hail and sunburn as well as to reduce evaporation losses. “All this costs a great deal of money but it has proved to be worthwhile and if we want productive farms to feed a growing population and our export markets we have to make sure that the investment continues.” Ms Myburgh said.