Question NW490 to the Minister of Finance
27 March 2023 - NW490
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the National Treasury has any fiscal measures in place to support the recovery of the agricultural sector which has suffered a major economic setback through issues relating to the (a) crumbling roads and rail networks and (b) increase in taxes; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what measures?
Reply:
We acknowledge the importance of the agricultural sector and its potential to generate low-skilled jobs needed to address unemployment in South Africa, however, the Honourable Member’s question is not clear, as we do not necessarily agree on the underlying causes and potential impact of the reasons he has stated in his question for example we are not in agreement with his assumption that an increase in taxes is a factor responsible for the major economic setback to the agricultural sector. The Honourable Member may kindly provide more details on the economic setback in agriculture referred to.
The fiscal support for agricultural sector is determined through the budget allocations to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, as articulated in the Estimate of National Expenditure (ENE) - Vote 29 and to provinces though the Division Revenue Act, and this information is available in various provincial budgets.