Question NW389 to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
16 March 2017 - NW389
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
What (a) is the budget allocation available from his department to curb the armyworm invasion and (b) action has his department taken to date to assist farmers with pesticide(s)?
Reply:
There are no poultry projects which were closed in Limpopo province since January 2016 to date. What (a) is the budget allocation available from his department to curb the armyworm invasion and (b) action has his department taken to date to assist farmers with pesticide(s)?
(a) No additional budget has been allocated in DAFF for the control of new pest outbreaks, including the Fall Armyworm (FAW). However, ministerial approval has been obtained to allow provinces to use funding allocated for the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) for the control of the Fall Armyworm. For instance, Limpopo has asked to redirect some R8.4 million for pesticides for FAW control, and permission has been given.
(b) Emergency registration of pesticides has continued rapidly within DAFF with a growing number of active ingredients now available to producers. These have various modes of action on the pests, so could support control in a variety of circumstances. Pesticides are registered for use on a number of crops including maize and other grains (e.g. wheat, barley and sorghum), potatoes, cotton, sunflowers and various vegetables as well as grazing- and lawn grasses.