Question NW2833 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
13 October 2023 - NW2833
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the relevant details of the emergency response plans and contingency measures that her department has implemented to assist farmers to mitigate the impact of fires on farmlands; (2) (a) by what means have the specified plans been communicated to the farming community and (b) what is the budget allocation for the implementation of the plans?
Reply:
1) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) implements the following mitigation measures to address the risk of veld fire:
- DALRRD compiled contingency plans which were shared with provinces for their consideration and implementation during fire emergencies;
- The South African Weather Services (SAWS) issues monthly seasonal weather forecasts and highlights the dry winter season with the possibilities of fires being experienced during the forecast period. SAWS also issue early warning information in case of high possibilities of fires and this information is shared with provinces to alert the farming communities of possible fires; and
- DALRRD shares the advisories on the issued winter forecasts and early warnings, as well as strategies for farming communities to be able to respond once they experience such fires. These allow the provinces and farming communities to put measures in place to address the risks associated with the predicted weather forecast for the fire season such as creation of fire breaks and moving their livestock to barred lands during possible fires.
(2) (a) The contingency plans are discussed and shared with all provinces through emails, virtual and physical meetings. The plans are also discussed during farmers’ days outings.
(b) Both national and provincial departments of agriculture have operational funding to implement these plans. In cases where the hazard leads to a disastrous situation, DALRRD approaches the National Disaster Management Centre for financial assistance.