"Striking was the absence of political rhetoric and conspicuous, a clear awareness of the problems the world economy and South Africa are contending with," the organisation's president Johannes Moller said in a statement.

The agriculture sector was assuredly not apathetic towards poverty, unemployment and the recession Zuma focused on in his address to Parliament, Moller said.

Agriculture was proudly making more than positive contributions in all these areas.

"We want to build further on agriculture's good record in this regard, particularly that of the recent past."

With rural areas essentially the domain of agriculture, Moller found Zuma's focus on rural development and the development and improvement of infrastructure of particular interest.

He also confirmed that the renewed focus on the prevention of crime would receive the "biggest possible support" of organised agriculture.

In its statement, Agri SA said it took notice of the emphasis Zuma placed on international relations, African development, co-operation in the Southern African Development Community and the economic problems in Zimbabwe.

Moller said Agri SA was presently analysing and obtaining a mandate from its members on its possible role in this respect.

President Zuma’s State of the Nation Address

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