Question NW2189 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
26 June 2023 - NW2189
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)How does her department, considering the deteriorating state of rural municipalities and its adverse impact on the agricultural sector, reconcile its commendable goals stated in the Agricultural and Agro-processing Master Plans with the realities on the ground in municipalities; (2) whether her department has a bridging strategy to reconcile its commendable goals that are stated in the Agricultural and Agro-processing Master Plans with the realities in municipalities; if so, how does her department plan to align policy with practice; if not, (3) whether she has found that the absence of such a bridging strategy suggests a disconnection with the plight of the small towns; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Over the medium to long term, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) seeks to improve its collaboration and coordination with industry organisations, through programme and project design. The Value Chain Round Tables (VCRT), which are currently being implemented, serve as platforms to forge greater collaboration and coordination between government and industry organisations, both nationally and provincially. Through the VCRT, the industry will be in a better position to identify the required infrastructure and services at local government level. These will be tabled to DALRRD by way of the District Development Model. The Integrated Rural Development Strategy addresses the challenges of rural and agricultural infrastructure such as roads, agro-processing facilities, etc.
2. Yes, the Department further aims to improve on delivery in terms of the Agriculture and Agro Processing Master Plan (AAMP) at district level, through a value chain approach, where value chain analysis will be conducted to identify the required services and infrastructure needs according to the AAMP value chain. The analysis will in turn determine required programmes and projects at the district level, and in this way contribute to the national targets for growth per value chain identified within the AAMP.
3. Implementation of VCRTs discussed above, and a value chain approach to programme and project design and selection will form the cornerstone of what DALRRD sees as the bridging strategy between the AAMP, and the challenges experienced at local government level, as identified in the Auditor-General’s report.