Question NW4147 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Reply:

a) Yes. Both the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Provincial Department of Agriculture offer continuous training and awareness to small scale farmers on the following:

• Basic Fire Management NQF 1;
• Veldfire awareness and prevention;
• National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998;
• Structure of veldfires;
• Basic veldfire behaviour;
• Veldfire suppression tools and equipment;
• Fine fuel suppression techniques and tactics; and
• Fire line safety and special hazards.

DALRRD conducts public awareness and training as one of the preventative measures to prevent uncontrollable veldfires.

(b)(i) The Provincial Department of Agriculture has provided support to small scale farmers affected by veldfires with fodder from their fodder banks. In areas that have been identified as prone to veld fires, resource-poor farmers are assisted with the construction of fire breaks.

DALRRD encourages small scale farmers to adhere to the National Forest Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998 (Act No. 101 of 1998) which is currently being reviewed through the formation, and being part of the Fire Protection Associations, creating and maintaining firebreaks as landowners, adhering to the fire danger index and being ready to fight fires in case they occur.

DALRRD disseminates early warning information in the form of advisories and daily extreme weather warnings as a preparedness measure to ensure effective response towards impending hazards including veldfires. Continuous early warnings on fire and strategies are issued to farming communities.

(ii) DALRRD is working with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment to capacitate and train farmworkers on how to create firebreaks and fight fires with the assistance of Working on Fire as well as established Fire Protection Associations in the provinces.