Question NW4175 to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
14 December 2015 - NW4175
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(1) With regard to the R226 million drought relief fund, (a) what method was used to establish what amount would be needed for drought relief, (b) what amount would be allocated to each province, (c) how was this allocation determined and (d) who will be responsible for the management of the funds in each province; (2) What criteria will be used to determine which farmer will qualify for drought relief funding?
Reply:
1.
(a) The provinces did assess the drought conditions prior to declarations requests. The verifications was done by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) together with provincial departments and Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in arriving at the total costs. The Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and Ilima/Letsema grants are used to assist small scale, subsistence and commercial farmers. These grants are approved for transfer to provinces for the implementation of CASP and Ilima/Letsema programmes in the 2015/16 financial year. A maximum of 20 percent has been prioritised from the fourth quarter transfers due to current drought conditions in the country, considering the magnitude of the occurrence based on the available information.
(b) Provinces were then requested to reprioritise 20% of their (CASP) and Ilima / letseme conditional grants to respond to the drought. The ultimate amount allocated to each province is determined by the province in terms of how much the province can make available through the reprioritization process to a maximum of 20%.
(c) Each province receives a different CASP amount as per normal National Treasury budget allocations linked to the individual business plans. Therefore the 20% amount allocated will differ from province to province.
(d) The provincial Heads of Department as the receiving authority in provinces are responsible for the management of the prioritised CASP funds. DAFF will monitor the implementation of the drought relief scheme employing the Drought Relief Scheme Framework.
(2) Drought assessment reports and beneficiary lists obtained through information gathered from physical visits and reports from affected farmers will determine who qualifies for drought assistance.