Programme updates: Departments of Rural Development & Land Reform, and Agriculture
NCOP Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources
07 February 2011
Chairperson: Ms A Qikani (ANC, Eastern Cape)
Meeting Summary
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries presented the achievements and progress of selected programmes, that had been mentioned in their Annual Reports 2009/10, to the Committee.
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform discussed the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) and the National Rural Youth Services Corps (NARYSEC) programmes. The CRDP was launched in August 2009 and aimed to create “vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities”. Phase 1, meeting basic human needs, had been completed and the Department would now move to Phase 2, Enterprise Development and Phase 3, village industries and access to credit. NARYSEC targeted the youth in rural wards, employing four youths (including one disabled) in each ward, and training them in various skills aimed at helping them to change their home areas. The numbers of participants in NARYSEC, and the achievements under CASP in each province were outlined. These included library and community centres, various types of agricultural projects, provision of water, including the sinking of boreholes and provision of pipelines, household gardens, sports field upgrades, building of clinics, installation of solar panels and completion of access roads. The main outstanding tasks included institutionalising the CRDP, achieving co-ordination across all spheres of government; and moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2. It was noted that pilot projects assisted in enhancing the current policy process, identified where further guidelines and clarity on roles were needed. The DRDLR intended to establish a presence in every rural municipality by 2014, to implement job creation in all wards, across all programmes and to continue to act as a catalyst, coordinator, initiator, facilitator and implementer. Members questioned whether the DRDLR funded all the projects itself or was assisted by Department of Human Settlements, noted that no mention was made of Gauteng achievements and challenges, questioned why expenditure was put on hold and the payment challenges with NARYSEC. They also asked when backyard food garden projects would be rolled out to the rest of the country, whether the Department had a completed land survey, and whether funds would be rolled over to the next financial year. They questioned the plans for placement of new recruits and the payment challenges, as well as training in the
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) discussed the budget and spending under Programmes 2 and 3, for 2009/10, and set out the specific achievements under Programme 2: Production and Resource Management, giving the figures for each of the projects. Members asked what strategies the Department had in place to overcome its challenges, what measures were being put in place to create permanent work for recruits, and why certain funds had been withheld from communities. They asked for clarity on irrigation projects in the
Meeting report
Project update: Department of Rural Development and Land Reform
Dr Moshe Swartz, Acting Director General, Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, referred to the Annual Report of that Department (also known as DRDLR), and said that he would highlight the progress to date on selected programmes, namely the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP, the National Rural Youth Services Corps (NARYSEC) programme, and then provide highlights of achievements and key tasks outstanding, including the pilot programmes used to enhance the current policy processes.
The CRDP was launched in August 2009 and aimed to create “vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities”. It was divided into three phases. Phase 1 dealt with meeting basic human needs, Phase 2 dealt with Enterprise Development and Phase 3 dealt with village industries and access to credit facilities.
NARYSEC was a programme that targeted the youth in the rural wards of
There were various projects taking place in all the provinces. In
Dr Swartz noted that the key tasks outstanding included institutionalising the CRDP, achieving co-ordination across all spheres of government; and moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2 (sustainable enterprise development). Pilot projects assisted in enhancing the current policy process and the draft CRDP policy in the areas of youth employment (which then also influenced the NARYSEC intervention). They also showed the need for clear institutional guidelines on roles and responsibilities. They allowed for moves from village to ward level, and highlighted the need for alignment of the CRDP with the delivery agreement.
Dr Swartz concluded that between now and 2014, the DRDLR intended to establish a presence in every rural municipality in the country. The job creation model was to be implemented in all wards across all programmes in the Department. NARYSEC programmes were currently being implemented in eight of the nine provinces. The Department was currently aligning the CRDP to the current delivery agreement process. In all areas, the Department would continue to play the role of a catalyst, coordinator, initiator, facilitator and implementer.
Discussion
Ms B Mabe (ANC,
Mr M Makhubela (COPE,
Mr D Worth (DA,
Mr O De Beer (COPE,
Ms N Magadla (ANC, KZN) wanted to know what the problem with NARYSEC was. She also asked for more clarity on the consequences of under and over spending by provinces. She further called for comment on certain training that apparently only took place in the
The Chairperson asked what impact the activities of the Department had on the lives of the people where the CRDP projects were piloted, and whether the Department collaborated with provincial and local officials when rolling out the projects.
The Chairperson suggested that the Department respond in writing to the Members’ questions, within one week.
Production and resource Management Programme: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Mr Jacob Hlatshwayo, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, gave a presentation on the Production and Resource Management Programme of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF or the Department) for 2009/10. He set out the spending, noting that in total the DAFF had managed to spend 99.3% of budget for this programme. He tabled the percentage spend for each of the categories of compensation of employees, goods and services, financial transactions for assets and liabilities, and capital assets. (See attached presentation for details). He then set out a table of the transfer payments to Letsema, Landcare and Food Bank SA, which respectively amounted to 100%, 97.4% and 100% spending of the R50 million budget.
Mr Hlatshwayo then moved to detail the spending on Programme 3, Agricultural Support Services, noting that a total of 99.8% of budget was spent, and presenting the figures for the individual categories. In respect of this programme, he then set out the transfer payments as 96;8% spending on Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP), 100% spending on Agri disasters, and 100% spending on Land Bank.
Dr Kabi Mogajane, Deputy Director General: Production and Resources, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, presented on Programme 2 in more detail. The total expenditure increased at an annual average rate of 13,7 % from 2006/07 to 2009/10, mainly as a result of a once –off allocation of R221 million for the Ilima/ Letsema projects. These had been intended to improve agricultural production. There was also an amount of R76 million spent on starter packs in the 2008/09 financial year.
Programme 2 achievements were then described. The Tilapia Catfish Cage Culture Project was completed, an Animal Breeding Support Programme was established to train young emergent farmers, and 61 unique agricultural zones for
Discussion
Mr M Makhubela asked what strategies the Department had in place to overcome its challenges.
Mr O De Beer asked what measures the Department was putting in place to create permanent work for recruits. He also asked why the Department withheld certain funds from communities.
Mr D Worth wanted the Department to give clarity on irrigation projects in the
The Chairperson commented that that there was a lack of extension services to various projects in Kwa-Kwa, and wanted to know how many project officers were allocated to each province. She also enquired how the Department intended to monitor these projects.
The Chairperson asked the Department to respond in writing to the Members’ questions by the end of the week.
The meeting was adjourned.
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