Question NW1925 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and RuralDevelopment

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30 October 2020 - NW1925

Profile picture: Masipa, Mr NP

Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and RuralDevelopment

What (a) is her department doing to ensure 2019 winners of Youth in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Awards (i) receive their prize money and (ii) on what date will the prize money be paid out and (b) what has been the cause for the delay in paying out the prize money to the winners?

Reply:

(a)(i) It is regrettable that of the 8 winners,5 will not receive their prize money. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development sought approval from National Treasury for the shifting of funds to effect payment of the prize money, but the request was declined and National Treasury further advised the Department to discontinue annual prize awards hosted by the Department due to fiscal constraints. Therefore, the Department is in the process of procuring agricultural equipment and production inputs for the remaining 5 winners of the 2019 #Youth in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Awards (YAFF) who did not receive prize money. Of the 5 outstanding prize payments, one of the winners already received his equipment on 19 August 2020.

(ii) No prize money will be paid out to the remaining winners; instead they will receive equipment and agricultural production inputs. The procurement processfor equipment and agricultural production inputs for the remaining 4 winners is at an advanced stage and the Department anticipates concluding the procurement process for the remaining winners by 30 November 2020.

(b) Falls away. Please refer to (a)(i) above.

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