Agriculture important: Mantashe

South Africa's agricultural sector is going to play a significant role in the future, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Thursday.

   

"We want an agricultural sector that can sustain South Africa and provide food security," he told journalists in Johannesburg.

   

Mantashe held a meeting with Agriculture Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, farmer organisations and unions in Johannesburg, as part of the Agricultural Sector Unity Forum.

   

"This forum is for various role players in agriculture. We addressed issues such as trade and competition, labour, land reform and research, among others."

   

Mantashe said the African National Congress had been having talks with parties in the sector for a long time. The forum was expected to meet again in three months, he said.

   

-Sapa