The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) working together with the Provincial Departments of Agriculture and other stakeholders, are going to hold farm workers` summits across the country starting from this month.

The objectives of the summits include among others; to provide a platform for engagement and dialogue among the stakeholders on issues pertaining mainly to farm workers, farm owners and farm dwellers; to develop a common programme with clear goals, give voice to farm workers and address the challenges they are faced with on daily basis.

The provincial summits will be held in all provinces and culminate with the national summit during the winter season. Among participating stakeholders incluce; COSATU, Agri-SA, TAU, NAFU, the Departments of Labour and Human Settlements.

The consultations also seek to discuss the impact of the recent pronouncements by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on Wednesday, 24 February 2010, granting state-owned utility Eskom, an authority to increase the electricity tariff by 24, 8% as from 01 April 2010, on agricultural sector.

The resolutions of the summits would be the basis for government policy and laws in addressing the plight of farm dwellers, farm workers and farm owners.

The first summit will be held as follows:
Date: 4 th and 5 th March 2010
Time: 09:00
Venue: Mount Amanzi resort – Hartbeespoort , North West Province

For further information, please contact the following contact persons: