The Eastern Cape Agricultural Business Chamber is aiming to enter the mainstream debate on economic growth at a conference to be hosted next week.

The one-day conference on August 15, the first of its kind for the chamber, will focus on government's economic growth initiative, Asgisa, and broad-based black economic empowerment.

Chamber chairman Johan Greyling said yesterday that changes in the agricultural sector had prompted the conference.

"Many role players in agriculture who have traditionally never been members - like the banks and fuel companies - have all said: 'We have an interest in primary agriculture and we've never really had a place where we can voice our opinion for primary agriculture'," he explained.

This led to the conference addressing issues like how secondary agriculture could contribute to 6% economic growth, as well as black economic empowerment.

"In the Eastern Cape that is obviously very important because of the historically disadvantaged people we have in the province," said Greyling.

The programme for the day will start with an overview of the chamber, its activities, benefits and objectives. This will be followed by a look at Asgisa, including presentations on the agricultural economy and how the chamber’s members can contribute to the 6% growth target.

The final session of the day will be dedicated to broad-based economic empowerment, including its implementation.

Greyling said it was hoped that Agriculture MEC Gugile Nkwinti would be able to attend and officially open the event.

The conference will be held at the BKB offices in Grahamstown Road, Port Elizabeth, from 9am to 5pm.