21 May 2004

The Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs will intensify its support for agricultural activities in communal land areas, President Thabo Mbeki said on Friday.

Speaking during the opening of Parliament in Cape Town, Mbeki highlighted the need for an increased focus on communal land areas in the country.

"Once approved, the Communal Land Rights Bill will improve the possibilities for better economic utilisation of communal land", he said.

The Bill aims to provide people living on communal land with greater security of tenure and access to democratic administrative structures. It will also provide protection against arbitrary deprivation of land tenure rights.

"The department will also focus on small-scale agriculture, drawing on resources within the Agriculture Credit Scheme, ensuring the implementation of the Land Reform for Agricultural Development process and the Comprehensive Agricultural Support programme," Mbeki said.

He said the department would publish its AgriBEE framework document for public comment in July. AgriBEE aims to uplift emerging black farmers in the commercial farming sector.

Source: BuaNews

	GOVZA: State of the Nation Address

STATE OF THE NATION 2004 Time to walk the talk: Mbeki SA's progress: the real story SA's economic turnaround: Mbeki Fight poverty: grow the economy Public works for all provinces '53 000 on ARVs by 2005' Govt to improve public safety More support for small farmers Govt to fast-track skills training Housing delivery: more speed SA's role in Africa to continue Govt to set up BEE advisory body Govt to launch Batho Pele portal Mbeki tells people: get involved Imbizo: govt, people interface

10 Years of Freedom: South Africa 1994-2004 Looking back on 10 years of freedom. Looking forward to a future Alive with Possibility.