Questions and Replies
18 March 2024 - NW289
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with the detailed progress that has been made regarding the completion of the first draft of the Animal Welfare Bill that is due in March 2024; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with the (a) details of the public stakeholder consultation that took place during the drafting of the Animal Welfare Bill and (b) due date for presentation to (i) Cabinet and (ii) Parliament for the processing of the Bill; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW327E
Reply:
1. Yes. The first draft of the Animal Welfare Bill is currently being drafted and will be completed in March 2024.
2. (a) No. No public stakeholder consultation has taken place as yet.
(b)(i),(ii) It is not possible to determine the exact time frames due to the various processes that must be engaged prior to the introduction of a Bill to Parliament. As indicated in the reply to question 3435 on 22 November 2023, the first draft is expected to be completed by March 2024 and the Bill will follow the normal legislation-making process including:
- processing through the relevant Directors-General Cluster System;
- conducting a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment;
- constitutional certification by the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor; and
- obtaining Cabinet approval to gazette for public comments.
Once the comments have been considered, the Bill will be amended accordingly and will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to table in Parliament.
18 March 2024 - NW498
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What total number of households and/or individuals received financial compensation as opposed to the total number of beneficiaries who had their land restored and/or assets transferred to them?
Reply:
More than 998 479 individuals benefited from financial compensation and more than 1 134 039 individuals benefited from land restoration.
END
18 March 2024 - NW209
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to land restitution claims that were settled by the return of land to the claimants, what total number of the specified claims are governed by (a) communal property associations and (b) trusts?
Reply:
a) The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has registered 666 Communal Property Associations for governance of the land restitution claims that were settled by the return of land to the claimants.
b) DALRRD has registered 319 Trusts for governance of the land restitution claims that were settled by the return of land to the claimants.
18 March 2024 - NW57
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the (a) total cost of waste perishable fruit exports between 2019 and 2023, specifically at export destination delivery points due to port challenges and Ukraine-Russian conflict and (b) status update on the latest measures in place to expedite farmers' exports at ports and minimise losses for our farmers?
Reply:
a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) does not have information on the cost of waste perishable exports resulting from port challenges and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, there doesn’t appear to be any significant post export losses, judging by non-conformity reports we receive regularly from the European Union and other export destinations.
b) The role of DALRRD and its assignee, the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) is inter alia to ensure that farmers’ produce are harvested on time, appropriately packed and sent to ports for final export procedures where the PEPCB ensures that produce is correctly loaded, and vessels certified. Availability of port space and port efficiency as well as related logistics at the ports is the responsibility of the Department of Transport (Transnet).
18 March 2024 - NW56
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)What is the latest update on the referral made by the Republic to the World Trade Organisation on 27 July 2022 concerning the European Union's (EU) import restrictions on South African citrus fruit due to false codling moth (FCM); (2) if no progress has been made since the referral, what actions are being taken to follow up on the matter and update farmers in this regard; (3) on what date (a) does she envisage following up on the matter and (b) will she update the farming community who export to the EU; (4) what (a) have been the cost implications for the farmers exporting to the EU since the implementation of the FCM treatment measures and (b) has the Government done to alleviate the costs implications? NW57E
Reply:
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
1. South Africa (the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) continued with the consultation process at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in September 2022. This is a technical process where South Africa poses technical questions regarding the False Coding Moth (FCM) conditions to the European Union (EU). South Africa did not close dialogue with the EU and several engagements between South African and European counterparts continued throughout 2023 on technical as well as political levels up to the level of the Presidency.
2. Since no amicable resolutions were achieved, South Africa is considering to continue with the WTO dispute resolution process.
(3)(a) The government intends to lodge a dispute at the WTO. The consultation process and preparatory work has been done between government and the industry. The WTO case could not continue yet as the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) had to first take place from 26 to 29 February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. After this meeting the relevant Departments will reflect back on the possible options to that take matter further.
(3)(b) DALRRD is in continuous discussions with the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) and the Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum (FPEF) who represent the majority of citrus export producers.
(4)(a)(b) The actual cost implications would be known by the Citrus Growers Association (CGA), as government does not have access to this information. The database that is being utilised by International Trade Promotion does not have the 2023 Trade data available.
18 March 2024 - NW269
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What specific steps does her department intend to take in response to the alarming number of noncompliant communal property associations (CPAs) as outlined in the recent annual report; (2) whether there is a plan to address the (a) lack of co-operation (i) among CPA members and (ii) between traditional authorities versus CPAs and (b) reported conflicts among CPA members that are identified as key factors contributing to (aa) noncompliance and (bb) project failure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) considering that the chairperson of the Moletele Community Property Association, Mr Albert Thabane, which is one of the CPAs that are best performing, emphasised that collaborations are key to ensure that the benefits of the community are met, what measures does her department intend to put in place to encourage collaboration and partnerships among CPAs?
Reply:
1. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has embarked on a process of developing a policy guideline to address all Communal Property Associations’ (CPAs) challenges.
2. Yes.
(a)(i),(ii),(b),(aa),(bb) The policy guideline will address all CPA challenges.
3. DALRRD is currently hosting CPA investment imbizos in order to advance collaboration amongst CPAs and investment partners for the productive use of the land held by these entities.
29 February 2024 - NW4
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 3435 on 22 November 2023, she will furnish Ms T Breedt with an exact date and/or updated time frame for the tabling of the new Animal Welfare Bill in Parliament; if not, why not; if so, who is responsible for the drafting of the new Bill; (2) whether, since her reply to the specified question on the specified date, a tender has been issued for the drafting of the new Bill; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she will furnish Ms T Breedt with a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed with the University of Pretoria for the drafting of the new Animal Welfare Bill; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) (a) by what date will the Animal Welfare colloquium take place, as referred to in the minutes of the Animal Welfare Working Group, dated 10 July 2023, and previously agreed to by her department and (b) under whose auspices will the colloquium be convened; (5) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
(1) No. It is not possible to determine the exact time frames due to the various processes that have to be undertaken prior to the introduction of a Bill to Parliament. As indicated in the reply to question 3435 on 22 November 2023, the first draft is expected to be completed by March 2024 and the Bill will follow the normal legislation-making process including processing through the relevant Directors-General Cluster System; conducting a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment; constitutional certification by the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor and obtaining Cabinet’s approval to gazette for public comments. Once the comments have been addressed, Cabinet’s approval will be sought for tabling the Bill to Parliament.
(2) No. DALRRD will not proceed with tenders for the drafting of the Animal Welfare Bill, the Bill is being drafted within the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). The Department has previously responded that it added additional internal capacity in the form of three state veterinarians who are handling the animal welfare portfolio and therefore there is no need for the advertisement of a tender for the drafting of the Bill.
(3) No, because no Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the University of Pretoria for the drafting of the new Animal Welfare Bill.
(4)(a) No date has been confirmed for the Animal Welfare colloquium; this will form part of the consultation process as indicated in response to part (1) above.
(b) DALRRD.
(5) No.
29 February 2024 - NW138
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the latest update on the production status of African Horse Sickness vaccines by the Onderstepoort Biological Products; (2) whether all horse owners and/or veterinary doctors who had placed vaccine orders from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2023 have received their orders; if not, (a) why not, (b) what challenges are causing delays and (c) what measures are being taken to ensure timely vaccine (i) production and (ii) delivery to farmers for animal vaccination; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Production preparations for 2024 have commenced and 8 400 doses of African Horse Sickness vaccines have recently been released for the market.
2. No. However, most customers who confirmed their backorders have received what they ordered.
(a) The Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) system does not keep backorders. for more than 4 months, clients are expected to confirm or cancel. Some clients canceled, and some confirmed their orders.
(b) Delays are due to the breakdown of the freeze drier.
(c) OBP is servicing the current freeze drier.
(i) OBP will take delivery of a freeze drier in the second half of 2024 and is in the process of finalizing the procurement of another freeze drier. OBP is also inestigating contractual manufacturing opportunities.
(ii) OBP intends to make product available prior to the commencement of the vaccination season. All cooperatives and veterinarians will be kept informed about the status of vaccine availability monthly.
29 February 2024 - NW120
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What steps will her department take to ensure that agriculture in the Republic will benefit from the new satellite technology for agriculture; (2) what steps will she take to ensure that her department has the necessary skills and understanding of the new technology to guide the agricultural sector of the Republic to be more productive and competitive in the world markets; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1. The Department already capitalizes on remote sensing capabilities offered by satellite technology, such as the Sentinel-Hub, to analyze agricultural lands. This technology provides insights into crop planting frequencies, moisture levels, and burn scars, employing various data standards including true colour composite, false colour composite, the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), False Colour Urban composite, the Normalised Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), and Short-Wave Infrared composite (SWIR). These tools enable the monitoring of agricultural practices, vegetation health, and environmental changes, thereby supporting precision agriculture.
2. Through the strategic use of satellite and the deployment of drone technologies, the Department seeks to address current challenges and harness opportunities for growth and innovation within the sector. Recognizing the critical role of skilled personnel, the Department has a cadre of GISc professionals across all provinces, adept in leveraging remote sensing data for agricultural assessment and planning. To stay at the forefront of technological advancements, the Department has initiated a drone program aimed at augmenting satellite data with ultra-high-resolution imagery. This initiative includes training a new cohort of drone pilots, ensuring adherence to safety standards set by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, and facilitating the integration of remote sensing products into actionable agricultural insights. Furthermore, the Department is committed to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of the South African agricultural sector on the global stage. By harnessing satellite data and advancing high-resolution remote sensing technologies, the Department aims to empower emerging farmers with precision agriculture techniques. These efforts are geared towards optimizing resource use, improving yield, and reducing operational costs through targeted application of fertilizers and pesticides.
3. No.
29 February 2024 - NW72
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to her reply to question 789 for oral reply on 29 November 2023 and her department’s strategy for expanding poultry farming in the Republic, (a) what percentage of the grant component in the Blended Finance Scheme is aimed at assisting small and mediumsized poultry producers to enter the sector, thus breaking the barriers caused by high input costs such as feed that accounts for almost 70% of production costs?
Reply:
The Blended Finance Scheme grant allocation is 100% aimed at supporting black producers and entrepreneurs along the agricultural value chain of prioritised commodities. Poultry is one of the commodities prioritised in the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) and as such support to qualifying and bankable small and medium sized poultry producers will always receive priority. The grant allocation is not ring-fenced in percentage per commodity; the total allocation is intended to be used to support all prioritised commodities in the AAMP.
29 February 2024 - NW55
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the latest status update on the (a) labour tenancy claim and (b) relocation agreement between Mafube Coal Mine and the Mabhena family in Mpumalanga; (2) what progress has been made since the matter was referred to the Land Claims Court in terms of section 18(7) of the Land Reform (Labour Tenants) Act, Act No 3 of 1996, by officials from her department; (3) whether there has been any recent communication between her department and the affected families; if not, on what date can her department be expected to provide a briefing to the affected family and assist them in addressing the challenges they are currently facing; (4) what interim arrangements of support is her department providing to the family regarding their grievance of vandalised graves?
Reply:
(1)(a) The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) served the Mafube Coal Mine with section 17 notices under the Land Reform Labour Tenants Act, Act No 3 of 1996 (LTA). The landowners requested DALRRD to certify the relocation settlement. However, in terms of section 8 of LTA, only the Court can certify relocation of a labour tenant and determine if it is equitable redress. DALRRD working with the office of the Special Master of Labour Tenants (SMLT) is in the process of referring the labour tenancy claim to court.
(b) DALRRD has been presented with the relocation agreements signed by the Mabhena family and others by Mafube Coal Mine. The agreements were inconsistent with section 8 of LTA; hence the matter is being referred to court for a declaratory order if both parties agree.
2. The Mabhena family and others have signed the LA1 form to request legal representation from Legal Aid – South Africa (LASA). The application is being processed by the State Attorney and LASA.
3. Yes, DALRRD is in constant communication with the affected families and the latest meeting was in December 2023 including planned meetings to take place between the affected families, Department, SMLT and LASA in March 2024.
(4) None, since the matter of vandalized graves was never reported to DALRRD. However, DALRRD will investigate the allegations.
08 January 2024 - NW754
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1) On what date was Mr Lubabalo Makapela appointed as the Eastern Cape Director of the National Rural Youth Service Corps (Narysec); (2) whether his appointment was in line with human resources (a) recruitment and (b) selection processes; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the person possesses the necessary (a) qualifications and/or (b) experience for the position of Eastern Cape Director of the Narysec; (4) on what date did the person (a) enrol for the Nyukela Programme and (b) obtain the Nyukela certificate?
Reply:
- 1 April 2023.
- (a) All the issues related to the appointment of Mr Lubabalo Makapela are subjected to comprehensive investigation by the Department. The department will be guided by the outcome of the investigation report.
(b) Falls away.
3. (a) and (b) Falls away
4. (a) and (b) Falls away
08 January 2024 - NW211
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the details of the (a) destination and (b) total costs for (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) any other costs incurred for international travel of each (aa) Minister and (bb) Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019; (2) what is the total cost incurred for domestic air travel for each (a) Minister and (b) Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019?
Reply:
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
(1)(a) Please refer to the table below.
(1)(a) |
Reason for travel |
||
Minister |
July/August 2019 |
Johannesburg/ Addis Ababa/ Cook Islands/ Lome (Togo)/Porto Novo, Benin / Cook Islands/ Lome (Togo)/ Lagos/ Johannesburg |
Attended a conference on Songhai farming methods and protecting Natural Resources. |
Minister |
September 2019 |
Johannesburg/ Accra Ghana/ Johannesburg |
Attended 2019 African Green Revolution Forum |
Minister |
Oct/Nov 2019 |
Johannesburg/ Addis Ababa/ Johannesburg |
Attended High level Food Security & Nutrition Conference |
Minister |
November 2019 |
Johannesburg / Addis Ababa/ Abidjan/ Entebe Uganda |
Attended Land Policy Conference in Africa |
Minister |
December 2019 |
Johannesburg / Lome (Togo)/Addis Ababa/ Dubai |
Attended State visits to Guinea Conakry, Ghana and Togo |
Minister |
December 2019 |
Lome (Togo)/Addis Ababa/ Pekoa |
|
Minister |
December 2019 |
Addis Ababa/ Dubai |
|
Minister |
December 2019 |
Pekoa /Addis Ababa/Johannesburg/ Johannesburg |
|
Minister |
December 2019 |
Dubai/ Wuhan/ Sanya (China) |
Attended state visit to China |
Minister |
December 2019 |
Pekoa/ Doha/ Johannesburg |
|
Minister |
December 2019 |
Pekoa / Sanya /Pekoa |
|
Minister |
December 2019 |
Sanya /Pekoa |
|
Minister |
December 2021 |
Abidjan/Accra |
Attended State Visit to Abidjan, Cote D”Ivoire and Ghana |
Minister |
March 2022 |
Dubai: United Arab Emirates, |
Commemoration of the South African National Day of the Dubai Expo |
Minister |
June 2022 |
Johannesburg / Berlin – Germany / Johannesburg |
Ministerial Conference on Food Insecurity |
Minister |
June 2022 |
Johannesburg /Addis/ Geneva / Addis / Johannesburg |
Attended WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference |
Minister |
October 2022 |
Johannesburg / Jeddah / Johannesburg |
Attended State visit to Saudi Arabia |
Minister |
October 2022 |
Johannesburg / Paris / Johannesburg |
Attended the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) meeting of agriculture ministers |
Minister |
October 2022 |
Johannesburg / Addis Ababa/ Johannesburg |
Attended the High Level Food and Security and Nutrition Conference. |
Minister |
November 2022 |
Nairobi Kenya |
Attended state visit |
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL BY DM CAPA
DM |
Date |
Destination |
Reason for travel |
DM Capa |
February 2023 |
Cape Town / Johannesburg / Addis Ababa/ Cape Town |
Attended the investors’ roundtable common African Agro Park (CAAPs) programme held on the margins of the 36th Ordinary session of the African Union (AU) assembly. |
DM Capa |
Sept/October 2022 |
Johannesburg / Indonesia/ Johannesburg |
G20 Agriculture Ministerial meeting |
DM Capa |
November 2022 |
Johannesburg / Muscat: Oman / Johannesburg |
Attended the Third Global High Level Conference on Anti-microbial Resistance (AMR). |
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL BY DM SKWATSHA
DM |
Date |
Destination |
Reason for travel |
DM Skwatsha |
November 2021 |
Cape Town / Johannesburg / Geneva/ Johannesburg / Cape Town |
Cancelled due to COVID 19 travel restrictions (12th WTO Ministerial Conference) |
DM Skwatsha |
September 2022 |
Cape Town / Johannesburg / Cairo/Johannesburg / Cape Town |
Attending COP 27 |
DM Skwatsha |
November 2022 |
Cape Town / Johannesburg/ Entebbe/ Johannesburg/ Cape Town |
12th Conference of Ministers of Agriculture |
(1)(b),(i),(ii),(iii),(aa),(bb) Please refer to the table below
Financial year |
Minister accomodation (b)(i)(aa) |
Minister travel cost (b)(ii)(aa) |
Minister other costs (b) (iii)(aa) |
Deputy Minister(s) accommodation (b) (i)(bb) |
Deputy Minister(s) travel costs (b)(ii)(bb) |
Deputy Ministers other costs (b)(iii)(bb) |
2019/2020 |
R 12,800.00 |
R - |
R - |
R98,163.00-DM- Skwatsha |
R381,803.00-DM Skwatsha |
R8,875.00-DM Skwatsha |
2020/2021 |
R - |
R - |
R - |
R - |
R - |
R3,836.00-DM Skwatsha |
2021/2022 |
R - |
R29,426.00 |
R - |
R - |
R 91,287.00-DM Capa |
R - |
2022/2023 |
R66,581.00 |
R570,445.00 |
R - |
R92,722.00-DM Capa |
R185,059.00-DM Capa |
R9,431.00-DM Capa |
Total |
R79,381.00 |
R699,871.00 |
R - |
R 190,885.00 |
R658,149.00 |
R22,142.00 |
(2)(a),(b) Please refer to the table below.
Total Cost Domestic Air |
|||
Financial Year |
(a) Minister |
(b) Deputy Minister-Skwatsha |
(b) Deputy Minister-Capa |
2019/2020 |
R32464.8 |
R377519.44 |
0 |
2020/2021 |
R132408.29 |
R74372.76 |
R9777.45 |
2021/2022 |
R219798.87 |
R233453.98 |
R247203.55 |
2022/2023 |
R91277.44 |
R527487.61 |
R3209.51 |
Total |
R475949.4 |
R1 212833.79 |
R260190.51 |
08 January 2024 - NW753
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
1) On what date was the position of the Eastern Cape Director of the National Rural Youth Service Corps advertised; 2) whether Mr Lubabalo Makapela applied for the specified position when it was initially advertised; if not, why not; if so, will she furnish Dr M M Gondwe with the proof of the specified person’s application; 3) whether the person met the criteria for shortlisting; if not, why was the person then shortlisted for the position; if so, on what date was the person interviewed for the position; 4) (a) what total number of candidates were shortlisted for the position, (b) on what date did the shortlisting take place and (c) what criteria were used to shortlist candidates for the position; 5) whether the (a) human resources department and (b) union(s) were represented during the entire recruitment and selection process; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
- 10 August 2021.
- Yes; however, the application form contains personal information and will not be disclosed in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013.
- All the issues related to the appointment of Mr Lubabalo Makapela are subjected to comprehensive investigation by the Department. The department will be guided by the outcome of the investigation report.
- (a) 6.
(b) 4 February 2022.
(c) All the issues related to the appointment of Mr Lubabalo Makapela are subjected to comprehensive investigation by the Department. The department will be guided by the outcome of the investigation report.
5.(a) Yes. Deputy Director Human Resource Administration, Eastern Cape (EC), Assistant Director Recruitment and Selection, EC; Human Resource Administration Clerk, EC.
(b) No, in terms of the Departmental Policy on Recruitment and Selection, “Trade union representatives may be present during the shortlisting and interview processes for posts on salary levels 1 to 12 and Occupation Specific Dispensations to observe that the process is fair and without any bias and discrimination.” The post of Director NARYSEC is at salary level 13 and therefore the unions were not required to be part of the processes.
20 December 2023 - NW3998
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What measures has she put in place to improve the situation of the Animal Health Directorate that has to date failed livestock farmers, which is also reflected by the Ministerial Task Team’s report which highlighted numerous issues?
Reply:
The Animal Health Directorate has not failed livestock farmers. The mandate of the Directorate is “to provide for the control of animal diseases and parasites, for measures to promote animal health, and for matters connected therewith”.
To this end, the Department has regulations and guidelines for the prevention of entry as well as the control of diseases. The sub-directorates of Epidemiology and Disease Control are constantly monitoring laboratory results which are analyzed, and any suspicion of infection is brought to the attention of the Director and the Chief Veterinary Officer. This is followed up by instructions to the provinces on how to handle the suspicion including control measures to apply. Due to varying resources in the provinces, these are applied differently in each province, with varying success.
One of the high-risk activities that the Department is managing is research conducted using pathogens that could be detrimental to the health status of the country. Ironically this same risk mitigation is found to be unnecessary by the Ministerial Task Team’s report.
The findings of the Ministerial Task Team’s report were all catered for in the Veterinary Strategy that was signed in March 2016. The Strategy has 5 pillars, one of which is to strengthen competencies for animal health, all of which are being implemented and facilitated by Operation Phakisa, at differing rates depending on the availability of resources.
Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984) places the responsibility of preventing the introduction of diseases on owners. The Department has several biosecurity guidelines for different farming practices which include surveillance, some of which is at the owner’s expense and some which the Government pays for. However, many farms do not implement these measures due to the expenses associated with them. The lack of biosecurity on farms has been demonstrated to contribute significantly to the introduction and further spread of diseases into and between farms.
Climate change and international trade in animals and animal products have also led to increased occurrence of animal diseases. Maintaining a biosecure environment is thus always a moving target and this is not unique to animal and animal products.
In the past 5 years, South Africa successfully eradicated 3 separate outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreaks in the country, but most importantly, retained trade with neighboring countries. The reason neighboring countries could still accept poultry products from South Africa, at the height of a trade-sensitive disease outbreak, was because of the confidence they have in the Veterinary Services of South Africa, which is brought by its sound technical expertise in the field.
South Africa also reported cases of African Swine Fever outbreaks and equally retained trade with most neighboring countries.
Since 2019, South Africa has not had a free status for Foot and Mouth Disease, and yet trade of livestock, beef, and wool continues; this again is due to the confidence in the South African Veterinary Services’ globally. Recently the Department facilitated the opening of beef exports to China and Saudi Arabia, and a few other countries are in the pipeline, such as Iraq.
Just these three points highlight the support given to the farming communities and how the Department is not failing its livestock farmers.
While some control measures are not solely the responsibility of the Department, classic examples of challenges illustrating plain disregard of the law are indiscriminate movements of cattle even though the Minister had placed restrictions on the movements of livestock at the start of the North West outbreak, and the legal challenges lodged against the Department by the same livestock farmers the Department was trying to protect.
As the report recommends, Veterinary Services is strengthening its collaboration with industries; there are already two recent success stories from this collaboration viz. the opening of beef markets for China and Saudi Arabia. The containment of Foot and Mouth Disease is another success story that is due to these collaborative efforts.
20 December 2023 - NW3623
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) are the full detailed arrangements and/or contracts that are in place between her department and the SA Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) and (b) is the detailed breakdown of funds received by SAFDA from the allocated budget of her department. (2) what (a) are the details of farmers who were funded and/or supported through SAFDA, (b)(i) items were received and (ii) is the price of each item and (c) is the success rate of the farmers to date. (3) what are the (a) details of farmers who were excluded from the support provided by SAFDA and (b) reasons for their exclusion?
Reply:
(1) (a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) signed an overarching MoA with the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) which controls all commodity organization trusts through the Marketing of Agricultural Act No. 47 of 1996 including the introduction of levies on agricultural products. A portion of these levies is used for transformation of the sectors. The MoA allows DALRRD to enter into Service Level Agreements (SLA) which regulate this partnership.
The response is divided into three parts based on specific interventions as per agreements emanating from the main Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) concluded with the South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA). Part 1 focuses on Land Development and Post Settlement Support, Part 2 on Fertilizer support and Part 3 on Infrastructure Development.
(b) Please refer to Annexure A.
(2) (a),(b)(i),(ii) Please refer to Annexure A.
(c) The farms are all at different levels of productivity. Infrastructure projects progress is reflected in Annexure A.
(3) (a) None.
(b) Falls away.
(1)(b) Breakdown of funds received by/ disbursed to SAFDA from allocated budget |
(2)(a) Details of farmers funded and/or supported |
(2)(b)(i) Item received / details of support |
(2)(b)(ii) Price per item |
(c) Success rate of farmers to date |
||||
Budgeted amount |
Amount disbursed to SAFDA. |
|||||||
Part 1: LAND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMME |
||||||||
KWAZULU-NATAL: FARMS UNDER SAFDA |
||||||||
R18 461 128.92 |
R18 461 128.92 |
Isizwe Sakwa Dludla Trust |
Production inputs |
R4 991 840.00 |
The Trust had internal conflict that delayed implementation. Following a community resolution, the Trust established a new Operational Entity for the implementation of LDS. Current status: the new entity to sign a Financial Tripartite with the Financial Institution to enable the transfer of funds to be completed and implementation to resume. |
|||
Machinations |
R12 907 306.50 |
|||||||
Infrastructure |
R200 000.00 |
|||||||
Operating Capital |
R0.00 |
|||||||
SAFDA management fee (2%) |
R361 982.92 |
|||||||
R18 577 375.52 |
R18 577 375.52 |
Entembeni Trust, Entembeni |
Production inputs |
R1 529 280.00 |
Expenditure to date R9 635 713.31 Implementation at 52% |
|||
Machinations |
R15 133 833.25 |
|||||||
Infrastructure |
R1 550 000.00 |
|||||||
Operating Capital |
R0.00 |
|||||||
SAFDA management fee(2%) |
R364 262.27 |
|||||||
R14 429 937.91 |
R14 429 937.91 |
Entembeni Royal Household |
Production inputs |
R842 400.00 |
Expenditure to date R8 685 887.13 Implementation at 60% |
|||
Machinations |
R12 754 598.30 |
|||||||
Infrastructure |
R550 000.00 |
|||||||
Operating Capital |
R0.00 |
|||||||
SAFDA management fee (2%) |
R282 939.66 |
|||||||
R15 178 092.92 |
R15 178 092.92 |
Emakhasaneni Trust |
Production inputs |
R0.00 |
Expenditure to date R9 216 378.88 Implementation at 61% |
|||
Mechanizations |
R13 323 282.20 |
|||||||
Infrastructure |
R650 000.00 |
|||||||
Operating Capital |
R907 200.00 |
|||||||
SAFDA management fee (2%) |
R297 609.67 |
|||||||
MPUMALANGA: FARMS UNDER SAFDA |
||||||||
R33 508 660.53 |
R33 508 660.53 |
Matsamo CPA |
Production inputs |
R5 509 769.09 |
90% complete |
|||
Mechanizations |
R6 313 705.00 |
|||||||
Infrastructure |
R8 750 000.00 |
|||||||
Operating Capital |
R17 787 922.57 |
|||||||
SAFDA management fee (2%) |
R657 032.56 |
|||||||
R4 839 900.00 |
R4 839 900.00 |
Rouxville |
Production inputs |
R00.00 |
25% complete |
|||
Mechanizations |
R810 000.00 |
|||||||
Infrastructure |
R3 935 000.00 |
|||||||
Operating Capital |
R0.00 |
|||||||
SAFDA management fee (2%) |
R94 900.00 |
|||||||
R14 879 839.00 |
R14 879 839.00 |
Bambanani Mlambo trust |
Production inputs |
R709 745.00 |
100% complete |
|||
Mechanizations |
R1 464 217.25 |
|||||||
Infrastructure |
R0.00 |
|||||||
Operating Capital |
R6 322 877.00 |
|||||||
SAFDA management fee (2%) |
R291 761.65 |
|||||||
Part 2: EDTM: FERTILIZER SUPPORT DALRRD signed a Service Level Agreement with the SA Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) to coordinate and facilitate procurement of production inputs (fertilizers) for Small-Scale Growers (SSGs) in the Komati/Malelane Farmer Production Support Units (FPSUs) in Nkomazi Local Municipality under the Ehlanzeni District of the Mpumalanga Province:
|
||||||||
KWAZULU-NATAL (KZN): SMALL SCALE GROWERS’ (SSGs) FERTILIZER SUPPORT 2023 (Summary of SSGs, HAs, Bags and value of provided fertilizer) |
||||||||
Budgeted amount |
Amount disbursed to SAFDA. |
MUNICIPAL DISTRICT |
BUSINESS PLAN |
No of Bags @R856
|
Price per item |
Success rate to date |
||
|
Area |
Growers |
||||||
R97 274 342 |
R97 274 342 |
Umzimkulu |
1 436.65 |
235 |
7 183 |
R856.00 per bag |
All the Growers received the fertilizer and signed for it. |
|
Sezela |
3 166.59 |
1 661 |
15 833 |
|||||
UGU |
4 603.24 |
1 896 |
23 016 |
|||||
Umfolozi |
2 478.89 |
1 624 |
12 394 |
|||||
UMKHANYAKUDE |
2 478.89 |
1 624 |
12 394 |
|||||
Gledhow |
2 210.40 |
182 |
11 052 |
|||||
Darnall |
1 948.55 |
160 |
9 742 |
|||||
Maidstone |
1 476.30 |
343 |
7 382 |
|||||
ILEMBE |
5 635.25 |
685 |
28 176 |
|||||
Noodsberg |
849.60 |
714 |
4 248 |
|||||
Eston |
737.45 |
487 |
3 687 |
|||||
UMGUNGUNDLOVU |
1 587.05 |
1 201 |
7 935 |
|||||
Pongola RCL |
136.60 |
16 |
683 |
|||||
ZULULAND |
136.60 |
16 |
683 |
|||||
Amatikulu |
4 040.22 |
2 661 |
20 201 |
|||||
Felixton / Makhatini / Jozini |
4 801.75 |
2 596 |
24 009 |
|||||
KING CHETSHWAYO |
8 841.97 |
5 257 |
44 210 |
|||||
TOTALS |
23 283 |
10 679 |
116 415 |
|||||
MPUMALANGA : KOMATI PROJECTS |
||||||||
R43 million |
R43 million |
Project |
Cession (ha) |
No of growers |
Cession (No of Bags) |
Price per item |
Success Rate |
|
Spoons 8 Farmer Association |
627,8 |
56 |
3139 |
R833.65 per bag of fertilizer throughout all the projects |
All fertilisers were issued and signed for. |
|||
Lugedlane and Shinyokane |
576 |
37 |
2880 |
|||||
Figtree A FA Association |
447 |
14 |
2235 |
|||||
Figtree B Farmer Association |
235 |
14 |
1175 |
|||||
Figtree C Farmer Association |
446,4 |
47 |
2232 |
|||||
Figtree D Farmer Association |
437,8 |
76 |
2189 |
|||||
Madadeni FA |
327 |
40 |
1635 |
|||||
Magudu FA |
391,2 |
15 |
1956 |
|||||
Mbunu B |
402 |
52 |
2011 |
|||||
Mfumfane |
634 |
75 |
3170 |
|||||
Ntunda A and B |
33 |
1 |
42 |
|||||
Sibange |
333 |
38 |
1665 |
|||||
Sikhwahlane |
436 |
54 |
2180 |
|||||
Spoons 7 A&B |
367,2 |
30 |
1836 |
|||||
Sibonshwa project |
116 |
1 |
580 |
|||||
Walda |
871,6 |
36 |
4358 |
|||||
Vuka Usebente |
76 |
7 |
380 |
|||||
Huchinson farm Mzinti |
18 |
1 |
90 |
|||||
Timiseleni Coop Magudu |
243 |
15 |
1215 |
|||||
Phaphamani womens coop |
23,3 |
2 |
117 |
|||||
JJ Maswati coop |
141 |
40 |
705 |
|||||
Total |
71 825 |
651 |
35790 |
|||||
MPUMALANGA: MALELANE PROJECTS |
||||||||
Projects |
Cession (ha) |
No of Growers |
Cession |
Price per item |
Success rate |
|||
Nyubela and Sons |
51 |
1 |
255 |
R833.65 per bag of fertilizer throughout all the projects |
All fertilisers were issued and signed for. |
|||
Langeloop 1 (West & East) |
410 |
40 |
2050 |
|||||
Langeloop 2 |
300 |
37 |
1500 |
|||||
Khanyangwane/ Buffelspruit |
224 |
29 |
1121 |
|||||
Gijima Bomake Coop |
135 |
56 |
677 |
|||||
Tikhontele Co-op |
314 |
28 |
1570 |
|||||
Schoemansdal Trust |
104 |
88 |
522 |
|||||
Nhlangu West |
87 |
27 |
435 |
|||||
Nhlangu East |
127,6 |
25 |
638 |
|||||
Ngogolo |
590 |
39 |
2950 |
|||||
Mbongozi |
135,6 |
18 |
678 |
|||||
Zelpy |
136 |
22 |
680 |
|||||
Dwaleni |
51 |
1 |
255 |
|||||
Lotswitswi |
22 |
1 |
110 |
|||||
Middleplaas (Timiseleni n Tizameleni) |
122 |
28 |
610 |
|||||
Rainbow |
32 |
20 |
160 |
|||||
Rouxville farm |
90 |
1 |
450 |
|||||
Total |
2931,8 |
461 |
14659 |
|||||
EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY FOR KOMATI/MALELANE FPSU |
||||||||
EQUIPMENT / MACHINERY |
Specification |
Usage |
Quantity |
Total Amount (R) |
Growers that use the services of the FPSU equipment can save more than R3 500/ha on land preparation costs since private contractors have been charging more than R8 000/ha for complete land preparation while the FPSU charges between R4 500 – R5 500/ha. The current land preparation rate is more than R10 000/ha, and the FPSU currently charges R5 500/ha. Farmers that have used the growers’ machinery have saved and improved their farm profitability (though no actual impact assessment has been done at this stage). The success rate on farms will be determined after harvesting in December 2023. |
|||
Tractors (4x4) |
71-80 kw with CAB MFWD |
Land Preparation/ General Purpose |
2 |
R1 554 132 |
||||
Tractor (4x4) |
91-100 kw with CAB MFWD |
Land Preparation /Fire Fighting |
1 |
R1 387 284 |
||||
Boom Sprayer |
600L |
Herbicide/Pesticide Application |
1 |
R63 106 |
||||
Fire Tanker |
5000L, full house |
Firefighting/ Herbicide |
1 |
R252 800 |
||||
Gyramower/ Slasher 1.8m |
Heavy Duty |
Slashing/Road Maint |
1 |
R53 424 |
||||
Mouldboard Plough |
Reversible |
Land Preparation |
1 |
R111 700 |
||||
Lowbed |
6 Ton capacity |
Transporting machinery between projects |
1 |
R221 600 |
||||
Bell Loader |
120 model |
Crop removal |
4 |
R4 338 688 |
||||
Ripper |
Medium Duty – 5 Curved Shank |
Land Preparation |
1 |
R84 000 |
||||
Ridger/ Furrow |
Shear Ridger – 3 Row |
Land Preparation |
1 |
R77 000 |
||||
TLB |
Land Preparation /General Purpose |
1 |
R1 017 600 |
|||||
3 row fertilizer applicator |
3 row fertilizer applicator |
Fertilizer application |
1 |
R58 500 |
||||
5 Ton Tipper Trailer |
5 Ton Tipper Trailer |
General Purpose |
1 |
R128 000 |
||||
INFRASTRUCTURE |
||||||||
Dragline rehabilitation |
(50m draglines; tripods; sprinkler heads; nozzles; stoppers; piplets) |
Irrigation overhauling (procurement and supply) |
300 |
R1 500 000 |
||||
Drip system materials |
(filters; valves; rolls; gromets; L-couples; reducers; straight couplings; End stoppers; Submain line) |
Irrigation overhauling (procurement, supply and installation) |
100 |
R2 500 000 |
||||
Dam/River Pumps |
8x10/75kw motors; 8x soft starters) |
Replacement and installation |
400 |
R1 000 000 |
||||
TOTAL |
R14 347 834 |
|||||||
Part 3: RURAL DEVELOPMENT: INFRASTRUCTURE |
||||||||
KWAZULU NATAL |
||||||||
R37 455 014 |
R37 455 014 |
Amatikulu |
Macekane FPSU: Macekane has 2 600 small-scale sugar cane growers, planting approximately 5372 hectares. |
R37 455 014 |
Progress made to date is 30-50% |
|||
R37 455 014 |
R37 455 014 |
Felixton |
Amatikulu FPSU: Amatikulu has 4 025 sugar cane small-scale growers, planting approximately 5 862 hectares. |
R37 455 014 |
Progress made to date is 30-50% |
|||
R37 455 014 |
R37 455 014 |
Gledhow Darnall Maidstone |
Qwabe FPSU: Qwabe has 547 sugar cane small-scale growers, planting approximately 3 958 hectares. |
R37 455 014 |
Progress made to date is 30-50% |
|||
R37 455 014 |
R37 455 014 |
Makhathini/ Jozini |
Jozini FPSU: Jozini has 1240 sugar cane small-scale growers, planting approximately 2278 hectares. |
R37 455 014 |
Progress made to date is 30-50% |
|||
R37 455 014 |
R37 455 014 |
Umzimkulu Sezela |
Sezela FPSU: Sezela has 1156 sugar cane small-scale growers, planting approximately 4283 hectares. |
R37 455 014 |
Progress made to date is 10% |
|||
R37 455 014 |
R37 455 014 |
Noodsberg Eston |
Noordsburg FPSU: Noordsburg has 2321 sugar cane small-scale growers, planting approximately 1467 hectares. |
R37 455 014 |
Progress made to date is 30-50% |
|||
MPUMALANGA |
||||||||
R44 844 404.66 |
R29 299 331.13 |
Komati:
|
Farms Irrigation infrastructure development and upgrades for 2 200ha |
R29 299 331.13 |
Progress is at 32% (700ha) to date. |
|||
R15 545 073.53 |
Malelane:
Schoemansdal |
Refurbishment of 22 farms’ production inputs storage facilities and offices Farms soil and water conservation structures development Development of Malelane/Nkomati Sugarcane FPSU that will provide support to production farms in the form of a mechanisation centre and fuel depot. |
R15 545 073.53 |
Progress made to date is 80%. |
20 December 2023 - NW3518
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has contributed towards the training and upskilling of youth agri-preneurs in rural areas in the current financial year; if not, why not; if so, (a) in what way was the upskilling done and (b) what total (i) number of youths were beneficiaries and (ii) what amount was spent?
Reply:
Yes.
a) The Department is contributing towards the training and upskilling of youth agri-preneurs in rural areas through various training interventions categorised as follows:
- Production: goat, poultry, crops, animals, maize, livestock and beef production, artificial insemination, hydroponics etc;
- Business and Entrepreneurship: bookkeeping, business management, financial management, record keeping, marketing, new venture creation, farm management, veld management, South African Good Agricultural Practice (SA-GAP), access to funding, conflict management etc.;
- Occupation Health and Safety: safety use of chemicals, animal health, fire management, biosecurity etc.; and
- Agro – Processing: grain processing, value adding, packaging etc.
(b)(i) Total beneficiaries who received training through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) during the current financial year (2023/24) is 10 085 of which 4 134 are youth and in addition, 394 beneficiaries of State Land Allocation Programme also received training of which 239 are youth.
NARYSEC Programme: 128 young people have been trained and certified in the agricultural sector in the 2023/ 2024 Financial Year to date with a budget of R7 026 050.72 (Annexure A: NARYSEC Interventions).
A total of 195 young people under the NARYSEC Programme is currently busy with skills development in the agricultural sector for the 2023/24 Financial Year, and the estimated budget is R10 961 643 (Annexure A: NARYSEC Interventions).
2023/ 2024 Financial Year Intakes for the NARYSEC Programme on different sectors:
- Annexure B: July 2022 Intake – 702 youth people;
- Annexure C: May 2023 Intake – 700 young people;
- Annexure D: September 2023 Intake – 845 young people; and
- Annexure E: October 2023 Intake – 735 young people.
(ii) R50 425 000 was spent on CASP beneficiaries and R1 195 000 was spent on State Land beneficiaries.
ANNEXURE A OF NA-QUES 3518 OF 2023– NARYSEC INTERVENTIONS
Table 1: NARYSEC Youth Trained and Certified in the Agricultural Sector in the 2023/24 Financial Year: The table below details the number of NARYSEC youth trained and certified in the Agricultural Sector for the 2023/24 financial year to date, per province, per learning programme, as well as the type of agribusiness these youth were recruited for, and the associated budget:
No. |
Province |
No. Youth |
Learning Programme |
Agribusiness Opportunity |
Budget |
1. |
Eastern Cape |
13 |
Poultry & Piggery Production |
In Joe Gqabi and OR Tambo Districts, the Municipalities and Traditional Councils have made projects and land available for NARYSEC participants to be linked to projects and start their own agricultural enterprises. |
R529 100.00 |
2. |
Free State |
20 |
Animal Production |
The Trompsburg and Zastron Farming and Projects Cooperatives have committed to expose the young people who are decedents of the beneficiaries to take an active role in the operation of the projects. Support will be provided to establish these youth into enterprises. |
R680 000.00 |
27 |
Plant Production |
The Bakoena Tribal Authority has committed to support the enterprise formed with a portion of land for fruit and vegetable production. Support will be provided to establish these youth into enterprises. |
R877 500.00 |
||
3. |
KZN |
19 |
Tractor & Basic Farm Implements Maintenance |
Youth trained to support DALRRD supported enterprises. |
R847 020.00 |
4. |
Limpopo |
3 |
Crop Production |
Youth being supported to start enterprises through DALRRD Community Enterprise Development (CED) unit. |
R58 500.00 |
5. |
Northern Cape |
8 |
Bee Keeping & Honey Production |
The Ba-Ga Bareki Traditional Authority has committed to supply the 8 youth with land to start-up and run a Bee Keeping and Honey Production business. |
R526 150.72 |
6. |
North West |
15 |
Animal Production |
The Bangwaketse bo-Rra Motingoe Trust requested that these youth be trained in Animal and Plant Production, as the farm has both grain and animal production components. The farmer who is leasing the farm has offered to mentor them for a year after they complete their training, whilst paying them a salary. The mentoring will help the youth to apply their skills in a commercial set-up. This will result in the Bangwaketse bo-Rra Motingoe Trust having a skilled workforce when the lease lapses and the community take over the operation of the farm. |
R1 384 650.00 |
23 |
Plant Production |
R2 123 130.00 |
|||
GRAND TOTAL |
128 |
R7 026 050.72 |
Table 2: NARYSEC Youth Currently Busy with Skills Development in the Agricultural Sector for the 2023/24 Financial Year. The table below details the number of NARYSEC youth currently busy with skills development in the Agricultural Sector for this financial year per province, per learning programme, as well as the type of agribusiness these youth were recruited for, and the associated budget:
No. |
Province |
No. Youth |
Learning Programme |
Agribusiness Opportunity |
Budget |
1. |
Eastern Cape |
10 |
Grain Production |
In Joe Gqabi and OR Tambo Districts, the Municipalities and Traditional Councils have made projects and land available for NARYSEC participants to be linked to projects and start their own agricultural enterprises. |
R370 300.00 |
10 |
Tea Production |
R367 700.00 |
|||
2. |
Free State |
15 |
Fruit & Vegetable Production |
The Edenville farming and Projects Cooperatives has committed to expose the young people who are decedents of the beneficiaries to take an active role in the operation of the projects. Support will be provided to establish these youth into enterprises. |
R487 500.00 |
3. |
Gauteng |
20 |
Poultry Production |
These youth will be grouped into 4 poultry cooperatives and will also be issued with starter packs to become operational. |
R1 449 200.00 |
4. |
KZN |
19 |
Plant Production |
Youth being trained to support DALRRD supported enterprises. |
R751 526.00 |
10 |
Animal Production |
Enterprises to be supported by DALRRD CED units. |
R387 620.00 |
||
13 |
Poultry Production |
Enterprises to be supported by DALRRD CED units. |
R463 892.00 |
||
5. |
Limpopo |
20 |
Vegetable Production |
Land has been made available by Ellias Motsoaledi and Greater Letaba Municipalities and the Traditional Council, for these youth to start their own agricultural enterprises. |
R814 000.00 |
10 |
Mixed Farming |
Maruleng, Waterberg, Vhembe and Sekhukhune District Municipalities have committed to absorbing these youth upon completion of training and to also support those interested in starting their own enterprises. |
R378 475.00 |
||
10 |
Poultry Production |
The Bantwane Traditional Council has provided 10 Hectares of land where these youth will be supported to start their own enterprise. The Provincial Department of Agriculture has also committed to absorb these youth into funded agricultural enterprises for experiential training. |
R635 000.00 |
||
6. |
North West |
10 |
Animal Production |
Ten (10) youth from Jericho in the Bojanala District formed a cooperative, namely JBS Co-operative whose main aim is beef production. |
R923 100.00 |
17 |
Plant Production |
The Ramotlakane CPA Executive Committee identified a portion of land that will be allocated to the youth after training. The portion is approximately 22 hectares and has a functional irrigation system, water pump and fenced. |
R1 569 270.00 |
||
7. |
Western Cape |
31 |
Agriculture Maintenance Supervisor |
Nine (9) youth will work with the Thembelihle farming project as a way of introducing the youth into Farming. The youth are the descendants of the beneficiaries. The project has been largely funded by the Department. |
R2 364 060.00 |
GRAND TOTAL |
195 |
R10 961 643.00 |
Please note that the total budget per learning programme includes the costs related to Training, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Toolboxes, and Training Stipend (R3 500.00 per month per learner).
20 December 2023 - NW4069
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) are the details of her department’s community outreach projects and plans to spay and/or neuter and provide general care of animals in communities in each (i) province, (ii) municipality and (ii) town and (b) is the (i) time frame and (ii) frequency in each case; (2) whether she will furnish Ms A M van Zyl with a list of state veterinarians for each (a) province, (b) municipality and (c) town; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the programme reaches every community in the Republic; if not, (a) why not and (b) what steps will she take to ensure that the programme reaches into every community?
Reply:
(1)(a)(i),(ii) The Department has a Primary Animal Health Care (PAHC) Strategy which was developed in 2013 for the implementation of primary animal health care services across the country.
The aim of the Animal Health Care Strategy is to provide veterinary services, especially to resource-poor communities of South Africa thus improving the livelihood and Animal Health.
Objectives:
- To promote accessibility is main element of the PAHC thus ensuring that veterinary services are rendered to the rural and peri-urban areas where the most needy and vulnerable groups of the population live.
- To promote community participation by meaningful involvement of the community in planning, implementing and maintaining veterinary services.
- To promote veterinary extension services by providing adequate training to communities on prevention and control of endemic animal diseases.
- To use appropriate technology that is scientifically sound, adaptable to local needs, and acceptable to those who apply it and for whom it is used.
- To facilitate inter-sectoral collaboration to improve animal health services and strengthen vertical linkages within government and horizontal linkages at national, provincial, district and municipal levels.
The Strategy also gives effect to the implementation of a Compulsory Community Service (CCS) programme for veterinarians in South Africa.
The CCS programme requires newly qualified veterinarians and those registering with the South African Veterinary Council for the first time to practice as veterinarians in South Africa, to perform a Compulsory Community Service under the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), in line with the provisions of the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act No 19 of 1982. The veterinarians are employed by DALRRD for a period of 12 months and distributed across all provinces.
The CCS programme, in addition to implementing the objectives under primary animal health care, also aims to address the skewed distribution of veterinarians across the country, which has resulted in poor accessibility of veterinary services to under-served and resource-poor areas. The programme also aims to distribute the veterinary profession equitably and provide an opportunity for newly qualified veterinarians to develop their knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The CCS veterinarians provide the following services:
-
- Primary animal health care including sterilization (spay and neuter) and vaccination campaigns;
- Herd health management;
- Disease surveillance and control;
- Extension services and awareness;
- Clinical veterinary services;
- Imports and export facilitation;
- Veterinary diagnostics services (laboratories);
- Regulatory services; and
- Veterinary Public Health.
(b)(i),(ii) The CCS veterinarians are employed for a period of 12 months and provide the above-mentioned services daily.
(2)(a),(b) Please refer to Annexure A.
3. No.
a) The allocation of CCS veterinarians depends on the number of veterinarians entering the CCS programme in a particular year. The DALRRD allocates the veterinarians based on the requests by provinces and the total number available, this therefore means that the distribution differs from year to year and there may be years in which there is a shortage to cover all areas in the country.
b) The programme is dependent on the total number of available CCS veterinarians entering the programme every year, and this dependency is outside the control of the Department. However, it should be noted that provinces, in addition to the CCS programmes, operate various primary animal health care programmes such as spays and neutering, depending on their capacities.
20 December 2023 - NW4013
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has (a) drilled and/or (b) maintained any boreholes since 1 January 2023 in each province; if not, why not; if so, what (i) total number of boreholes were drilled and/or maintained during the specified period and (ii) was the total cost in each case; (2) whether water was found at each specified borehole; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the further, relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a),(b),(i),(ii) and (2) Please refer to Annexure A.
Province |
(a) Boreholes Drilled |
(b) Boreholes Maintained |
Reasons for not drilling/ Maintaining |
(i) Total Number of Boreholes Drilled |
(i) Total Number of Boreholes Maintained |
(ii) Total Cost of Drilling (ZAR) |
(ii) Total Cost of Maintenance (ZAR) |
Borehole Identification |
Water Discovery |
Details if Water Not Found |
Additional Relevant Details |
Eastern Cape |
0 |
0 |
The province is planning to drill and maintain 5 boreholes in the 2024/ 2025 financial year. |
0 |
0 |
R0 |
R0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
A detailed investigation is to be conducted within the community and drilling of boreholes be done at locations where enough underground water is found and pipelines to be used to transfer the water closer to where it is needed. The aquafer in the area does not deliver enough water and is not sustainable; the indicated area is restricted. Existing boreholes are rehabilitated to establish the yield and to determine if a new borehole is required. |
Free State |
55 |
32 |
N/A |
55 |
32 |
R5,5m |
R1,1m |
87 |
54 |
33 |
|
Gauteng |
24 |
0 |
N/A |
24 |
0 |
R6,8m |
R0 |
24 |
24 |
0 |
|
KwaZulu Natal |
6 |
1 |
N/A |
6 |
1 |
R0,6m |
R0,03m |
7 |
4 |
3 |
|
Limpopo |
0 |
0 |
There was no target set for borehole projects in the 2023/ 2024 financial year. The province has been granted approval of R3 520 000 for drilling of 11 boreholes for the 2024/ 2025 financial year. |
0 |
0 |
R0 |
R0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mpumalanga |
0 |
0 |
The province is planning to drill boreholes in projects that are being implemented such as Malelane/Nkomati Farmer Production Support Unit (FPSU) and Red Meat value chain projects, if necessary after a feasibility study has been concluded. |
0 |
0 |
R0 |
R0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
North West |
7 |
0 |
N/A |
7 |
0 |
R1,8m |
R0 |
7 |
6 |
1 |
|
Northern Cape |
2 |
0 |
N/A |
2 |
0 |
R0,7m |
R0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Western Cape |
0 |
0 |
The province is planning to drill 7 boreholes and maintain 4 boreholes in the 2024/ 2025 financial year. |
0 |
0 |
R0 |
R0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Totals |
94 |
33 |
94 |
33 |
R15,5m |
R1,1m |
127 |
90 |
37 |
20 December 2023 - NW3269
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Given that during her visit to Taung in 2020 she made a commitment to farmers that the Lesedi store would be handed over to farmers to be fully used for agricultural activities, what (a) steps has she taken to fulfil the specified promise and (b) time frames have been put in place to acquire the Lesedi store?
Reply:
a) Steps taken are as follows:
- Appointment and Mandate of the Task Team: In November 2021, the Head of Department (HOD) of the North West Provincial Department of Agriculture (NW-PDA) formed a Task Team. This Team's primary objective was to address two key issues at the North West Provincial agricultural facility: firstly, determining the rightful ownership of the facility, and secondly, evacuating non-agricultural businesses, such as motor mechanic workshops and brick-making enterprises.
- Initial Actions and Renovation Plans: The Task Team, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), decided to refurbish specific structures at the facility for use as a Farmer Production Support Unit (FPSU). This unit would support Taung crop farmers who cultivate approximately 3600-3700 hectares of land under an Irrigation Scheme. Essential renovation works identified included upgrading the storage facility, the guard room, and fencing, with further infrastructure development planned for the future.
- Challenges in Eviction and Lease Agreements: The eviction process of the current tenants, primarily non-agricultural businesses, faced complications. Occupiers of the Lesedi building claimed to have valid lease agreements with the Provincial Department of Agriculture. However, upon investigation, it was determined that these leases had expired, and the NW-PDA had no plans to renew them. The Task Team's mandate to evict these tenants was hindered by this lease disagreement.
- Stalled Development Plans: Due to unresolved issues regarding the facility's ownership and the ongoing presence of non-agricultural businesses, DALRRD's plans to develop the site were put on hold.
b) Resolution Efforts by NW-PDA: The NW-PDA, as the custodian of the Lesedi building, committed to resolving the conflict with local businesses. This action aims to make the facility available for its intended purpose – the establishment of a functional FPSU for Taung farmers. However, the Task Team faced further delays. Meetings with tenants were disrupted by individuals claiming ownership of the Lesedi Cooperative facility. Consequently, the Task Team could not resolve the ownership issue and sought legal advice from the State Attorney, which is still pending.
20 December 2023 - NW3505
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has details of the total number of successful young commercial farmers who have attained funding through her department in the (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23 financial years; if not, why not; if so, (i) what are the figures in each municipality, (ii) which sectors of agriculture have seen the most investment and (iii) what was the total expenditure?
Reply:
(a),(b),(c),(d) Yes. This response covers young commercial farmers who have received funding from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) through Conditional Grants (Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme “CASP” and Ilima/Letsema) that are transferred to Provincial Departments of Agriculture who implement agricultural projects. The young farmers reported herein are beneficiaries (owners or shareholders) of projects that were implemented in the respective financial years reported below.
(i) The number of youth farmers supported per province in the respective financial years as follows: Tables 1 and 2 depicts figures for CASP and Ilima/Letsema respectively, while Table 3 provides information for the Jobs Fund.
Table 1: CASP – Number of youth supported per financial year:
CASP |
|
|
|
|
Eastern Cape |
195 |
257 |
131 |
278 |
Free State |
235 |
610 |
300 |
155 |
Gauteng |
67 |
21 |
231 |
1 575 |
KwaZulu Natal |
188 |
442 |
484 |
503 |
Limpopo |
79 |
77 |
26 |
26 |
Mpumalanga |
190 |
61 |
115 |
94 |
Northern Cape |
29 |
3 |
39 |
5 |
North West |
128 |
128 |
41 |
51 |
Western Cape |
251 |
131 |
95 |
3 |
Total No |
1 363 |
1 731 |
1 462 |
2 690 |
Males/Female |
717 / 646 |
911 / 820 |
840 / 622 |
1 189 / 1 501 |
Source: CASP Annual Reports from Provincial Departments of Agriculture.
Table 2: Ilima/Letsema- Number of youth Supported per financial year
Ilima/Letsema |
|
|
|
|
Eastern Cape |
5 059 |
410 |
3 894 |
5 672 |
Free State |
13 331 |
5 789 |
222 |
0 |
Gauteng |
83 |
18 |
2 000 |
55 |
KwaZulu Natal |
603 |
607 |
1 241 |
1 235 |
Limpopo |
461 |
474 |
2 070 |
1 253 |
Mpumalanga |
403 |
191 |
1 408 |
395 |
Northern Cape |
26 |
10 |
22 |
0 |
North West |
62 |
19 |
0 |
21 |
Western Cape |
232 |
36 |
0 |
432 |
Total No. |
20 260 |
7 554 |
10 857 |
9 063 |
Males/Female |
8 885 / 11 375 |
3 804 / 3 750 |
4 136 / 6 721 |
3 893 / 5 170 |
Source: Ilima/Letsema Annual Reports from Provincial Departments of Agriculture.
Table 3: Jobs Fund – Number of youth supported per financial year:
Year |
2019-20 |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
(i) what are the figures in each municipality? |
Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompathi District - 1 livestock farmer (34 years) - Allocated Amount = R 1 021 600 |
Bojanala District (North West) - 2 young citrus farmers (28 & 32 years) - Allocated Amount = R 10 815 965 Chris Hani District (Eastern Cape) - 1 livestock farmer (32 years) - Allocated Amount = R 4 013 514 |
||
(ii) which sectors of agriculture have seen the most investment? |
Horticulture and livestock production received the most investment. Funding went towards both primary production and agro-processing. |
|||
(iii) What was the total expenditure? |
R 15 851 079.00 |
|||
Total Project Budget |
R 38 437 823.25 |
|||
% Expenditure on Young Commercial Farmers |
41 % |
(ii) In terms of CASP (Ilima/Letsema), the support focused on grain production followed by livestock, vegetable, and fruit while horticulture and livestock production received the most investment with regards the Jobs Fund intervention.
(iii) Conditional Grants and Jobs Fund Expenditure reported:
Financial Year |
CASP Budget spent R’000 |
Ilima/Letsema Budget Spent R’000 |
Jobs Fund Budget Spent |
2019/20 |
1 537 000 |
510 000 |
- |
2020/21 |
1 041 000 |
415 000 |
- |
2021/22 |
1 228 875 |
546 574 |
1 021 600 |
2022/23 |
1 478 007 |
593 818 |
10 815 965 4 013 514 |
Total spent |
5 284 882 |
2 065 392 |
15 851 079 |
Note! The total expenditure against the budget transferred to the province was reported, not expenditure against gender or vulnerability groups.
13 December 2023 - NW3995
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is delaying the finalisation of the Kramer Family restitution claim that was submitted 27 years ago, considering that the Kramer Family responded to the Mayecon Report within the legal timeframe with evidence to support their dispute, and that all the necessary documentation have been submitted to the Land Claims Commission?
Reply:
The family initially disputed the outcome of the investigation that was conducted by MayeCon and raised dissatisfaction on the extent of the land. A mapping exercise was then conducted by the National Geo-Spatial and Information (NGI) to determine the extent of the land in support of the investigation report. Thereafter the family consented to the outcome of the mapping exercise and this resulted in the gazetting of the claim.
The claim has since been published in Government Gazette No. 4044 on10 November 2023 and in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994, a 90-day period is provided for submission of objections to the claim by any interested parties. Thereafter, the claim will be processed further towards finalisation.
The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights through the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner in Eastern Cape is currently serving the affected landowners with the Gazette Notice.
It is important to note that the delay in the finalisation of the claim was caused by the Community’s disagreement on the extent of the rights lost.
--END--
13 December 2023 - NW2654
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to her reply to question 15 on 4 May 2023, what (a) is the (i) name of each farm, (ii) exact area where each farm is located, (iii) name of the previous owner/leasee of each farm and (iv) lease payment for each farm and (b) are the details of (i) fixed and any other movable assets bought and (ii) the cost at which the assets were bought; (2) whether the specified farms are productive; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the current use of each farm, including the produce that is being carried out on each farm; (3) whether any blended finance is being considered; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the relevant details of the blended finance, (b) is the name of each beneficiary and (c) are the details as reasons for the Development Bank of Southern Africa’s involvement and cost set aside for their project execution?
Reply:
(a) (i),(ii),(iii),(iv) Please refer to Annexure A.
(b) (i) None.
(ii) Falls away.
2. The status quo remains the same; production at these farms is not at an expected level. The Department through existing producer support initiatives including infrastructure support intends, over time, to assist to improve productivity levels.
3. Yes. Blended Finance Scheme (BFS) is a funding instrument open for consideration. However, applicants must meet the set qualifying criteria in order to be granted the loan potion of the scheme. The current productivity levels on these properties dictate that the initial development support be mainly through conditional grants (BFS preparatory phase) and only when these farms are bankable, can Blended Finance Scheme be utilised.
(a),(b),(c) Falls away.
13 December 2023 - NW3530
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she has taken action in providing clarity on the eviction notices relating to case numbers 1332/15 and 69085/2013 and the original land claim 1998-2014 by the Motha family who between 1930 and 1945 lived in Sycamore/Elandhoek 339JT, Arlie/Rietspruit 473JT, Hemlock/Vlakplaats 476JT and Watal/ Dooringhoek 341JT in Mpumalanga, as the Emakhazeni Local Municipality in collaboration with farm owner sought to evict the community of Sycamore farm and intimidated them to sign attendance registers in contravention of the provisions of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, Act 19 of 1998; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) provided clarity on the eviction notices relating to case numbers 13432/2015 and 69085/2013.
DALRRD was required in terms of a court order to provide land for purposes of accommodating individuals evicted from the farms. DALRRD appointed Advocate Lucky Makomati Zwane of the Mpumalanga Bar to represent the interests of DALRRD in the matter, and Mr K Baloyi of Lingenfilger Baloyi Inc was appointed to provide legal representation to the occupiers.
Regarding the order against the Department to provide land to accommodate the evicted persons, DALRRD advised that as per application from the Emakhazeni local municipality, DALRRD had already acquired various farms and transferred them directly to the local municipality for the same purposes in the past and the land is still available and unoccupied.
Regarding the matter of the Motha Family, DALRRD conducted a land rights enquiry and discovered that the Motha family was evicted by court order in the year 1998. They are currently staying at Waterval Boven in the EMakhazeni Local Municipality. However, the Motha family is a former occupier who still has the right to security of tenure in terms of section 6(2)(a) read with section 4 of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act No. 62 of 1997.
DALRRD has no evidence of a land claim lodged by the Motha Family on the three farms.
13 December 2023 - NW3735
Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What measures are in place to (a) protect small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises and (b) encourage entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector?
Reply:
a) To protect small- and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, the Competition Act No. 89 of 1998 was promulgated for the establishment of a Competition Commission responsible for the investigation, control and evaluation of restrictive practices, abuse of dominant position and mergers. This law prohibits anti-competitive agreements between businesses and the abuse of a dominant position by a business. Businesses that infringe competition laws may face substantial financial penalties up to ten percent of their worldwide turnover. The Competition Commission is a statutory body responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act.
b) Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMMEs) were elevated to a degree of strategic relevance in South Africa for the first time thanks to the 1995 White Paper on the National Strategy for the development and promotion of small business. It lists several obstacles that small businesses must overcome, including those related to the legal and regulatory framework, market accessibility, financing availability, availability of non-financial support services, skill and managerial expertise acquisition, access to suitable technology, tax burden, information, and availability of high-quality business infrastructure in impoverished areas or poverty nodes. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) provides the SMMEs with both financial and non-financial support as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DALRRD develops policies, procedures and guidelines to support agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises at provincial level.
DALRRD offers capacity-building workshops in marketing for smallholder farmers. These workshops equip farmers with knowledge about how markets operate. The programme also includes physical market exposure, where farmers are taken to the markets and provided with information by market operators on how the markets function. DALRRD provides access to daily fresh produce market prices via a web-based system called the Market Information System. These prices are collected from all national fresh produce markets and displayed on the system, making it easy for farmers to access information on prevailing market prices for various products they wish to sell.
DALRRD offers various support programmes. These include the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), Ilima Letsema, and the Farmer Production Support Units (FPSUs), which provide support in the form of mechanisation, seeds, fertilizer, capacity building, and infrastructure.
CASP offers training and capacity-building programs to smallholder farmers through the Department. The programme aims to help smallholder farmers gain the necessary technical skills to become successful commercial farmers. All training interventions are based on the specific needs of each individual farmer.
DALRRD provides training to agricultural cooperatives to assist them in improving operational efficiencies and enhancing competitiveness using the Farm Together cooperative training programme. The programme addresses a wide range of skills that include among others governance in cooperatives, financial management, record keeping, markets and contract negotiations, agribusiness management, conflict resolution mechanisms, leadership skills, and compliance.
Training Programmes offered to beneficiaries are categorised as follows:
- Production: (goat production, poultry production, crop production, animal production, maize production, livestock production, beef production, artificial insemination, hydroponics etc.)
- Business and Entrepreneurship: (bookkeeping, business management, financial management, record keeping, marketing, new venture creation, farm management, veld management, SA GAP, access to funding, conflict management etc.)
- Occupation Health and Safety: (Safe use of chemicals, animal health, fire management, biosecurity etc.)
- Agro-Processing: (grain processing, value adding, packaging etc).
The land reform programmes are supported by various agrarian reform instruments to address both financial and technical support for different categories of producers to maintain and improve agricultural productivity and poverty alleviation. These programmes are:
- Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme and Ilima/Letsema which are aimed at resourcing and equipping producers towards increased food production and other value chain activities.
- Land Development Support which supports land reform acquired farms with infrastructure, farm machinery and equipment, production development/inputs, and provision of technical support including mentorship provided through Commodity Organizations.
- Blended Finance Scheme which supports the commercialisation process.
- SA-GAP Certification Programme assists farmers to meet minimum food safety and quality requirements and thus ease access to the market.
- Collaborations with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), wherein the Department implements the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Approach, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the implementation of the Farmer Field Schools. Both interventions enhance the provision of extension services for small-scale farmers towards attaining sustainable food production and market access.
- The skills assessment and mitigation thereof are implemented to attain sustainable growth and equitable participation in the sector. As part of comprehensive farmer support, the Department provides capacity development interventions that are focused on capacitating producers with requisite skills and mentorship based on their needs at a farm level. This capacity building assists farmers to optimise both production and marketing operations.
- Presidential Employment Stimulus providing production inputs for the most vulnerable producers for household food security and self-employment.
- Farmer Production Support Units provide a centralised service centre for producers to get production inputs, mechanisation, and technical support.
- Land Care Programme to protect and preserve natural resources and create employment at the rural level.
- Animal and Veld Management Programme to provide animal husbandry-related infrastructure like fencing, handling and dipping facilities, and livestock water including boreholes.
- River Valley Catalytic Programme designed to revitalise irrigation schemes in our former homelands.
- Micro Agricultural Finance Institute of South Africa provides affordable loans for producers.
- National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) Programme targeting unemployed rural youth for skills and capacity building for sustainable opportunities in the agricultural sector.
- Through the AgriBEE Fund entrepreneurship in agriculture is encouraged by making funds available to support enterprise development initiatives through the provision of value addition and agro-processing infrastructure.
13 December 2023 - NW3757
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What measures has her department put in place to employ persons who will service farmers that were left in the cold following the termination of Assistant Agricultural Practitioners’ contracts?
Reply:
The role of Assistant Agricultural Practitioners was to assist the current Extension Practitioners who are trained to provide technical assistance to farmers. As at April 2023 there were 2 077 Extension Practitioners employed across all provinces who are continuing with the frontline service of providing technical support to farmers.
The existing practitioners are also trained on new extension approaches such as the Smallholder Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP), Farmer Field School (FFS) and Commodity-Based Extension (CBEA) approaches to improve their efficiency when supporting farmers.
The Department will continue to implement the Extension Recovery Plan (ERP) which is part of the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). The ERP funds are transferred to the Provincial Departments of Agriculture (PDAs) to support Extension and Advisory Services. As part of ERP, PDAs employ Extension Practitioners on contract. Currently, due to fiscal constraints, PDAs will continue to maintain the existing contracts and will only recruit if there is a vacancy.
13 December 2023 - NW3834
Marawu, Ms TL to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, in light of the undertaking by the former President, Mr J G Zuma, in his State of the Nation Address in 2015, any legislation has been developed to limit the sale of land to foreigners; if so, what are the relevant details; if not, (2) whether her department has considered to introduce legislation addressing limitations on foreign land ownership in light of the economic advantages non-South Africans have that drive South Africans out of the land and property market; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what total number of hectares of land has been sold to non-South Africans from 1 January 2015 to date; (4) what initiatives did her department specifically design to prioritise and/or protect the land rights of native South Africans who may be economically disadvantaged in the context of the acquisition of land by non-citizens?
Reply:
(1),(2) The regulation of land ownership by foreign nationals is being addressed through the Land Acquisition and Redistribution Bill that is being developed and should soon serve before Cabinet for permission to publish for public comment. Amongst others the Land Acquisition and Redistribution Bill seeks to provide for compulsory land ownership disclosures by race, gender and nationality. It will further require disclosures in terms of the size and use of the agricultural land; any real right registered against and licence allocated to the agricultural land, and any other information as may be prescribed.
(3) There is currently no provision in law to track the hectares of land acquired by non-South Africans. In terms of regulation 18 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937 (Act No.47 of 1937), the deeds registration system only keeps record of the names and identity numbers of registered owners of land and not their nationality, and for this reason it is not possible to identify any land that is registered in the names of non-South Africans. However, the proposed amendment in the Deeds Registries Amendment Bill provides for the inclusion of a regulation pertaining to the collection of personal information relating to race, gender, citizenship and nationality of land owners in South Africa, for statistical and land audit purposes only. This information will be captured into a register for official use, only by State departments in the national or provincial spheres of government.
(4) The Land Acquisition and Redistribution Bill will prioritise and/or protect the land rights of native South Africans who may be economically disadvantaged in the context of the acquisition of land by non-citizens. The 2020 Cabinet approved Beneficiary Selection and Land Allocation Policy defines the beneficiary selection criteria as well as priority beneficiaries of land reform.
13 December 2023 - NW3988
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) Which rural areas has she identified as priorities for rural development and (b) what prominent rural development projects are currently underway that are focused specifically on infrastructure development, considering that the National Development Plan and other development trajectories indicate the Republic’s ambitions to become a developmental state and noting that rural areas remain largely marginalised, with little or no infrastructure development, and high levels of pervasive poverty?
Reply:
a) The Department is focused on 44 district municipalities across all nine provinces in South Africa. The beneficiaries are rural households, communities living in villages and traditional authority areas, and agricultural farmers.
The Integrated Rural Development Sector Strategy (IRDSS) prioritises six pillars in implementing the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme through which the Department will co-ordinate, facilitate and implement catalytic projects to address the triple challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment in rural areas.
The objectives of the IRDSS are to:
- Provide a guiding framework and principles for executing government’s vision, plans and budget relating to rural development and revitalisation of the rural economy through the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme and Rural Development Sector Plans.
- Institutionalise rural development and strengthen intergovernmental relations at national, provincial, and local levels.
- Facilitate implementation and co-ordination through the District Development Model (One Plan) with clear monitoring and reporting systems. One Comprehensive Rural Development Programme for each District.
- Accelerate investment in, and maintenance of critical infrastructure: road, rail and port basic services, digital connectivity, education, health, and human settlement infrastructure to revitalise rural economic development and facilitate industrialisation, agricultural production, agro-processing, value chain management and access to markets.
- Support integrated spatial planning, land use management and economic integration.
There are six (6) pillars in the Strategy for standardisation of the rural development mandate across all provinces and national sector departments.
Pillar 1: Infrastructure Development, Maintenance, and Investment
- Increased infrastructure maintenance and investment in the following areas: Agriculture and Agro-processing, socio-economic, water and sanitation, energy and electricity, health, human settlements, and education (schools and TVET colleges), and police stations, thereby improving community access to basic municipal services.
Pillar 2: Economic Development Industrialisation and Job Creation
- Industrialisation, Agro-processing, and Manufacturing.
- Increased financial and non-financial support to the development of new and existing small, medium, and micro enterprises and cooperatives.
- Accelerated job creation programmes such as EPWP and TREP to reduce high unemployment levels.
Pillar 3: Education and Skills Development
- Increased training of rural learners and rural youth in line with the National Skills Development Strategy and the country’s required critical skills for the rural economy and to curb urban migration.
- Massification of programmes such as National Rural Youth Services Corps (NARYSEC), Youth Employment Service (YES) and other sector specific skills development programmes.
Pillar 4: Provision of Basic Municipal Services
- Increased access to potable water, electricity, roads, sanitation and refuse removal.
- Prioritised Small-Town Regeneration Strategy and National Rural Safety Strategy.
Pillar 5: Land, Agrarian Reform and Tenure Security
- Expanded irrigated agriculture and dry-land production for smallholder farmers.
- Conferred tenure rights to land reform beneficiaries through an adopted approach that recognizes a diverse range of communal land and financial support.
- Expedited establishment of Land and Agrarian Reform Agency.
- Land Administration and recordal of communal areas.
Pillar 6: Social and Community Development
- Empowered rural communities for active citizenry through social mobilisation initiatives.
- Accelerated poverty alleviation programmes and initiatives.
- Implemented social sector programmes to provide specialized social services (e.g. school nutrition and community-based care).
- Accelerated registration of births and issuance of identity documents.
- Creating safer communities through implementation of the National Rural Safety Strategy.
b) The Department has targeted to complete 63 infrastructure projects in the 2023/ 2024 financial year (please refer to Annexure A). Through the National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) Programme, a total of 2 842 young people will be trained; 295 young people will be supported with business development and 485 young people will be linked to job opportunities.
ANNEXURE A TO NA-QUES 808 OF 2023
Rural Development 2023/ 2024 FY Projects
NO. |
PROJECT NAME |
PROVINCE |
DISTRICT |
LOCAL |
VILLAGE |
1 |
Construction of 14km fencing at Mvezo in King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality |
Eastern Cape |
OR Tambo |
King Sabatha Dalindyebo |
Mvezo |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Equipping of boreholes at Kroonstad |
Free State |
Xhariep District Municipality |
Mohokare LM |
Kroonstad |
3 |
Equipping of boreholes at Zastron |
Free State |
Xhariep District Municipality |
Mohokare LM |
Zastron |
4 |
Equipping of boreholes at Springfontein |
Free State |
Xhariep District Municipality |
Mohokare LM |
Springfontein |
5 |
Construction of 8km fencing handling facilities in Smithfield in Xhariep Municipality |
Free State |
Xhariep District Municipality |
Mohokare LM |
Smithfield |
6 |
Refurbishment of 3 storey hall and 2 storey halls for Boiketlong Community Hall |
Free State |
Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality |
Dihlabeng LM |
Boiketlong |
7 |
Construction of 35km fencing and Animal Handling Facility in Heilbron under Fezile Dabi Municipality |
Free State |
Fezile Dabi District Municipality |
Ngwathe LM |
Heilbron |
8 |
Construction of Bekkersdal FPSU 20 x Production Tunnels |
Gauteng |
West Rand |
Rand West City LM |
Bekkersdal |
9 |
Construction of Bekkersdal FPSU 800m2 Warehouse |
Gauteng |
West Rand |
Rand West City LM |
Bekkersdal |
10 |
Construction of Carmel Estate FPSU 20 x Production Tunnels |
Gauteng |
West Rand |
Mogale City LM |
Carmel Estate |
11 |
Construction of Tarlton FPSU 2,2km Asphalt Access Road |
Gauteng |
West Rand |
Mogale City LM |
Tarlton |
12 |
Construction of Rust De Winter 80km, 6 Strand Barbed Wire Fence |
Gauteng |
Tshwane Metro |
Tshwane Metro |
Rust De Winter |
13 |
Construction of 15 Cattle Handling Facilities at Rust De Winter |
Gauteng |
Tshwane Metro |
Tshwane Metro |
Rust De Winter |
14 |
Equipping 23 Boreholes at Rust De Winter |
Gauteng |
Tshwane Metro |
Tshwane Metro |
Rust De Winter |
15 |
Rehabilitation of 600 ha Mooi River irrigation scheme which comprises the 23 km long concrete canal that covers 14 blocks, 6 packing shed, 5 tractors shed |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Umzinyathi |
Msinga |
Muden & Kwanxamalala |
16 |
Rehabilitation of 600 ha Mooi River irrigation scheme which comprises the 23 km long concrete canal that covers 14 blocks, 6 packing shed, 5 tractors shed |
KwaZulu- Natal |
Umzinyathi |
Msinga |
Muden & Kwanxamalala |
17 |
Construction Tugela Ferry Block 6 which comprises 150 ha with pump station, main and infield pipeline, sprinklers, pack shed, tractor shed and rehabilitation work on block 1 up to block 7 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Umzinyathi |
Msinga |
Tugela Ferry |
18 |
Construction Tugela Ferry Block 6 which comprises 150 ha with pump station, main and infield pipeline, sprinklers, pack shed, tractor shed and rehabilitation work on block 1 up to block 7 |
KwaZulu- Natal |
Umzinyathi |
Msinga |
Tugela Ferry |
19-22 |
Construction of 8 dip tanks in King Cetshwayo and Zululand District under livestock infrastructure phase 4 |
KwaZulu- Natal |
King Cetshwayo and Zululand District |
Nongoma, Pongolo, Lundi, Nkandla, Mlalazi, Mthonjaneni |
Various Villages |
23-26 |
Livestock infrastructure phase 4: King Cetshwayo, Ilembe and Zululand - 8 dam re-scooping project |
KwaZulu- Natal |
King Cetshwayo and Zululand District |
Nongoma, Pongolo, Lundi, Nkandla, Mlalazi, Mthonjaneni |
Various Villages |
27-30 |
Construction of 12 dip tanks in iLembe Harry Gwala and uThukela District under livestock infrastructure phase 4 |
KwaZulu- Natal |
Harry Gwala and uThukela District |
Nkosazana Zuma, Buhlebezwe, Mzimkhulu |
Various Villages |
31 |
Construction of 15X25m shed to be used for as feed mixing facility with its associated work including drilling of boreholes to supply water to the shed and betterment of access road |
KwaZulu- Natal |
Harry Gwala |
uMzimkhulu |
St. Paul |
32 |
Construction of two sales yard in Mandeni and Maphumulo, under livestock infrastructure phase 4 |
KwaZulu- Natal |
iLembe |
Mandeni & Maphumulo |
Macambini/ Amatigulu & Ngcolosi |
33 |
Construction of two sales yards in Mandeni and Maphumulo, under livestock infrastructure phase 4 |
KwaZulu- Natal |
iLembe |
Mandeni & Maphumulo |
Macambini/ Amatigulu & Ngcolosi |
34 |
Supply, erect 25 km 9 strand barbed wire for grazing camp in Mbizimbelwa grazing camp in Mandeni |
KwaZulu- Natal |
iLembe |
Mandeni LM |
Mbizimbelwa |
35-39 |
Construction of 6 sugar cane FPSUs in Jozini, Qwabe, Sezela, Noordsburg and Matikulu which comprises of admin block, packhouse, tractor sheds, mechanical shed, chemical sheds, betterment of access road, provision of portable water and security fence with gourd house |
KwaZulu- Natal |
Umkhanyakude |
Jozini |
Jozini, Qwabe, Sezela, Noordsburg & Matikulu |
|
|
|
|
|
|
40 |
Vleeschboom FPSU: Construction of phase two: construction of a chemical area, installation of burglar doors and windows, installation of a backup generator, storm water drainage, paving around the facility etc. |
Limpopo |
Sekhukhune |
Makhuduthamaga |
Vleeschboom |
41 |
Bridges Moletjie Komape Bridges: Design and construction of a pedestrian and motorist bridge (design and construction) |
Limpopo |
Capricorn |
Polokwane |
Moletjie Komape |
42 |
Lephalale Fencing: Supply, delivery, and installation of 54km fence for five farms in Waterberg district. |
Limpopo |
Waterberg |
Lephalale |
Lephalale |
43 |
Tshiombo Fence: Erecting of fence around the nine earth dams for various irrigation schemes in Tshiombo |
Limpopo |
Vhembe |
Thulamela |
Tshiombo |
|
|
|
|
|
|
44 |
Phase 2 Renovations of storage sheds and admin buildings in various villages for 22 small scale sugarcane growers’ farms within Malelane/ Nkomati |
Mpumalanga |
Ehlanzeni District Municipality |
Nkomazi LM |
Malelane/Nkomati |
45 |
Erection of fencing- 10km Magogeni Village |
Mpumalanga |
Ehlanzeni District Municipality |
Nkomazi LM |
Magogeni |
46 |
Erection of fence -10km Gomora Village |
Mpumalanga |
Ehlanzeni District Municipality |
Nkomazi LM |
Gomora Alnaagz |
|
|
|
|
|
|
47 |
Plessis Vlakte FPSU: Construction of staff houses, office, boardroom, security office, storage shed, auction facility, fencing, water supply & renovation of shearing shed |
Northern Cape |
Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality |
Renosterburg LM |
Plessis Vlakte |
48 |
Supply, delivery, and erection of 106km fencing at Heuningvlei |
Northern Cape |
John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality |
Joe Morolong LM |
Heuningvlei |
49-53 |
Supply, delivery, and erection of 75km boundary fencing at 5 Farm: Nylon, Kelso, Clyde, Lurie & Maas. |
Northern Cape |
John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality |
Joe Morolong LM |
Nylon, Kelso, Clyde, Lurie & Maas. |
54 |
Construction of 1mw Solar Plant for Onseepkans Irrigation Scheme (350ha) |
Northern Cape |
Namakwa District Municipality |
Khai Ma LM |
Onseepkans |
55 |
Pella FPSU: Construction of staff houses, office, boardroom, security office, storage shed, retail facility, fencing & water supply |
Northern Cape |
Namakwa District Municipality |
Khai Ma LM |
Pella |
|
|
|
|
|
|
56 |
Mooifontein FPSU: Construction of ablution facilities, fencing and guardhouse |
North West |
Ngaka Modiri Molema |
Mahikeng |
Mooifontein |
57 |
Thulwe AVMP: Construction of a cattle handling facility, drilling of a borehole, spray race dipping facilities and drinking troughs |
North West |
Bojanala |
Moretele |
Thulwe |
58 |
Jericho FPSU: Paving of FPSU access road ±0.6km |
North West |
Bojanala |
Madibeng |
Jericho |
59 |
Makweleng FPSU: Paving of FPSU access road ±0,8km |
North West |
Bojanala |
Moses Kotane |
Makweleng |
|
|
|
|
|
|
60 |
Construction of boundary fence for the support of the Nduli piggery (1,6km) in Ceres, Witzenberg Local Municipality, Cape Winelands District Municipality. |
Western Cape |
Cape Winelands District Municipality |
Witzenberg LM |
Nduli (Ceres) |
61 |
Construction of boundary and inner fence in Saron (27km), Drakenstein Local Municipality Cape Winelands District Municipality. |
Western Cape |
Cape Winelands District Municipality |
Drakenstein LM |
Saron |
62 |
The supply and installation of fencing at the municipal commonage in Swellendam (6.2km), Swellendam Local Municipality, Overberg District Municipality. |
Western Cape |
Overberg District Municipality |
Swellendam LM |
Swellendam |
63 |
Supply and delivery of water tanks to small scale farmers in Graafwater, Cederberg Local Municipality, West Coast District Municipality. |
Western Cape |
West Coast District Municipality |
Cederberg LM |
Graafwater |
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 December 2023 - NW4147
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has offered any (a) training and (b) support to (i) small-scale farmers and (ii) farmworkers to combat fires; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
13 December 2023 - NW4148
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has put any measures in place to curb the effects of food insecurity in the rural areas of the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is implementing the Agriculture Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) and the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan (NFNSP) to ensure that there are sector-wide comprehensive strategies to revitalize and bolster rural economies, improve food security as well as create sustainable jobs and economic opportunities. The plans seek to provide a sector blueprint to spearhead transformation and development under the following pillars:
- Comprehensive support for farmers, extension services and agro-processors;
- Ensuring food security, expanded production and employment creation;
- Enabling market expansion, improving market access and trade facilitation;
- Developing localised food, import replacement and expanded agro-processing exports;
- Establish inclusive local food value chains to support access to nutritious and affordable food; and
- Creating enabling infrastructure.
In support of the AAMP and the NFNSP, DALRRD continues to introduce and coordinate the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of other support and developmental instruments towards ensuring food security especially in rural areas. The NFNSP coordinates support initiatives of various government and non-government departments towards ensuring food security. DALRRD coordinates the NFNSP with other departments such as the Departments of Health, of Social Development, of Basic Education and of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
Furthermore, DALRRD is collaborating and coordinating its efforts with other stakeholders (government departments, private sector, non-governmental organisations, producers, producer organisations, and civil society) towards building a resilient, just, inclusive and sustainable food system. The envisaged improved food system will ensure the inclusive involvement of different role players, sub-systems and activities in the production, storage, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of food products.
The Department is also implementing the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES). The project is designed to support a spectrum of opportunities, focusing on job creation through public employment; job retention and direct support to sustain livelihood strategies for vulnerable communities. PES is a pioneer project implemented to support household and subsistence producers with agricultural production inputs. The support provided to PES beneficiaries enabled some to initiate food production projects like backyard gardens, small-scale poultry projects and livestock farming, while assisting other subsistence producers to sustain and increase their food production by supporting them with agricultural equipment, water tanks, and production inputs specific to the commodities they produce. The bulk of the supported producers reside in rural areas.
13 December 2023 - NW4000
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she has found that all the adversities faced by her department lately, such as wheat yield shortages and the avian influenza, could have been avoided by retaining the large number of Assistant Agricultural Practitioners who were axed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
No. Additional Assistant Agricultural Practitioners (AAPS) would not have played any significant role in preventing the outbreak of diseases as their role would have been to provide agricultural extension services and not necessarily biosecurity; which is performed by the Animal Health Technicians. They were also not involved in the advisory services to produce wheat which is a highly mechanized operation. Most wheat producers are commercial farmers and the target clientele for the Assistant Agricultural Practitioners were households, subsistence and small holder farmers /producers.
Possible follow up question.
Is the department going to re-hire the AAPs?
Response:
If the National Treasury allocates the department with its provincial departments of agriculture an MTEF funding for their recruitment, the department will assist the Provincial Departments of Agriculture in resuscitating their recruitment process at the provincial level.
13 December 2023 - NW4012
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has conducted any investigation into the (a) alleged abuse and (b) dire living conditions of farmworkers in the 2022-23 financial year; if not, why not, in each case; if so, (i) how often were the specified investigations conducted, (ii) what were the findings of each investigation and (iii) what are the further, relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
(a),(b) No. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has no mandate towards farmworkers’ living conditions. DALRRD is responsible for the provision of long-term security of tenure in terms of Extension of Security of Tenure Act, 1997 (Act No. 62 of 1997) (ESTA) and Land Reform Labour Tenants Act, 1996 (Act No.3 of 1996).
(i), (ii), (iii) Falls away.
13 December 2023 - NW4097
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, in light of the statistical information on the outstanding settlement of land claims as at 30 November 2022, which indicates a high number of outstanding claims in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, she can furnish Mr K Ceza with the (a) full details of the 1 565 outstanding claims, including (b) locations of the land that is being claimed and (c) names of the claimants?
Reply:
(a)(b) Please refer to Annexure A for KwaZulu-Natal and to Annexure B for Mpumalanga.
(c) In line with the provisions of Section 23 (4)(a) of the Protection Of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No.4 of 2013) (POPIA), the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights is restricted from releasing personal information of third parties.
---END---
13 December 2023 - NW4098
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the relevant details of the land claim case (a) by the Motha family in Sycamore and/or Elandshoek 339JT and (b) in Sycamore Farm 340JT in Schoonspruit in Emakhazeni Local Municipality wherein only six people are recorded as claimants?
Reply:
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development through the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights does not have a record of land claim lodged by Motha family. A claim form or any confirmatory documents from the family would assist in confirming the status.
END
07 December 2023 - NW3460
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether a certain person (name furnished), who has been appointed to the board of Onderstepoort Biological Products, has been cleared of any past wrongdoing at the SA Weather Services; if not, how was the specified person appointed to the board; if so, (2) whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with proof thereof; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Appointment of the Board of Directors of the Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) follows a call for nominations, assessment of nominees by the appointed selection committee and shortlisting of nominees who best meet the criteria. The call for nominations advert also specified the requirement for nominees to be fit for appointment as board members. OBP will be requested to conduct personnel suitability checks on all appointees.
The notice inviting nominations specified that personnel suitability checks will be conducted on suitable candidates.
The appointment letters of the new members stated that their appointments were subject to a personnel suitability process.
2. No. There is no record of an investigation at the instance of SA Weather Services into the specified person.
05 December 2023 - NW3460
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether a certain person (name furnished), who has been appointed to the board of Onderstepoort Biological Products, has been cleared of any past wrongdoing at the SA Weather Services; if not, how was the specified person appointed to the board; if so, (2) whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with proof thereof; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Appointment of the Board of Directors of the Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) follows a call for nominations, assessment of nominees by the appointed selection committee and shortlisting of nominees who best meet the criteria. The call for nominations advert also specified the requirement for nominees to be fit for appointment as board members. OBP will be requested to conduct personnel suitability checks on all appointees.
The notice inviting nominations specified that personnel suitability checks will be conducted on suitable candidates.
The appointment letters of the new members stated that their appointments were subject to a personnel suitability process.
2. No. There is no record of an investigation at the instance of SA Weather Services into the specified person.
04 December 2023 - NW3756
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What intervening steps has her department taken to close the huge gap between smallholder and commercial farmers in terms of access to technical skills and advice in the past three financial years?
Reply:
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, through its Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) provides training and capacity building programmes to smallholder farmers. One of the objectives of this programme is to assist smallholder farmers to acquire relevant technical skills to become commercial farmers. All the training interventions are needs based.
Total beneficiaries who received training through CASP during the past three financial years (2020/21 – 2022/23) is 50 985. In summary, various training programmes offered to these beneficiaries are categorised as follows:
- Production: goat, poultry, crop, animal, maize, livestock and beef production, artificial insemination, hydroponics etc.;
- Business and Entrepreneurship: book keeping, business management, financial management, record keeping, marketing, wew venture creation, farm management, veld management, South African Good Agricultural Practice, access to funding, conflict management etc.;
- Occupational Health and Safety: safety use of chemicals, animal health, fire management, biosecurity etc.; and
- Agro – Processing: grain processing, value adding, packaging etc..
24 November 2023 - NW3462
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the details of (a) livestock and (b) animal products that have been (i) exported to and (ii) imported from the neighbouring countries in the Southern African Development Community such as Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, and Lesotho since the outbreak of the Foot-and-Mouth disease in 2019 and the recent outbreak in 2022?
Reply:
(a)-(b)(i) All neighbouring countries suspended trade of live cloven-hoofed animals from South Africa when the 2019 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak was reported and the Republic of South Africa (RSA) lost its Free Status with the World Organisation for Animal Health, therefore no livestock has been exported since 2019, nor are there any official records of exported products.
(ii) The following import permits have been issued from listed countries per listed commodity.
Country |
Beef |
Livestock |
Other |
Botswana |
471 |
10611 |
3305 |
Lesotho |
0 |
1131 |
2373 |
Eswatini |
6 |
52 |
280 |
Namibia |
117 |
18909 |
12837 |
Master permits have been issued for beef imports and in-transit shipments from both Namibia and Botswana.
This also includes "biltong/meat permits for personal use" and permits for hunting trophies in transit.
24 November 2023 - NW2930
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
(1) Whether she has found that the Magwa and Majola Tea Estates in Lusikisiki and Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape have reached operational sustainability; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what total number of local persons does each specified estate employ?
Reply:
1. Agriculture in the Eastern Cape Province to which these entities fall. The national government is interested in the functioning and performance of these entities because they contribute to the agricultural economy, rural development and livelihoods.
From the responses of the province and our own assessment, we cannot say the two entities have reached optimal sustainability.
According to the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, No. Magwa-Majola Tea Estate has not reached operational sustainability currently, however great strides have been made in turning the entity around since the Business Rescue Exit (16 February 2016 to 4 June 2019). The COVID-19 pandemic, falling tea prices, increased import of cheap tea’s and the Russia and Ukraine conflict-induced supply chain disruptions resulted in high import and export inflation.
The geo-political instability and recession in countries such as Egypt, Pakistan and other former Soviet Union countries has resulted in tea from Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania being redirected to South Africa creating a highly competitive trading environment. Production efficiency increased over the year by 206% from 19KG (2019/20) to 59KG (2022/23). This is how we understand the operation and use of data in our planning and decision-making process.
The Board and Management of Magwa Enterprise Tea (MET) met on 7 June to review all current and previous plans and strategies with the aim of developing a more implementable and realistic turnaround strategy that will lead to a self-sustaining tea business. This process is continuing with the view of presenting a final strategy with short, medium, and long-term goals. The focus of the company and its turnaround strategy is as follows:
- Change of business model from bulk to teabag revenue; streamlining product portfolio and developing a focused channel strategy.
- Factory and machinery upgrade.
- Food safety certification.
- Plant restoration.
- Crop and revenue diversification.
- Stakeholder management and resolution of land ownership.
- A circular economy: organic fertiliser, change from coal to wood briquettes for factory boiler.
MET is a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) and it would be beneficial for state facilities (government offices, prisons, hospitals, and municipalities) to consume only Magwa-Majola tea brands rather than tea manufactured by companies competing with MET.
Progress is being made on the following:
- Mechanisation (motorised tea harvesting equipment), 30% of the estate harvesting will be mechanised while 70% remains manual – also creating new job opportunities for youth in engineering and mechanics; increased production and revenue and profitability while cost per KG is decreased. The change in the operating model will see 1494 jobs in the field of operations being maintained and sustained. The project costing and roll-out programme are being finalised and await funding. The entity will break even in the second year after the implementation of the tea harvesting machine.
- Diversification programme to de-risk the entity’s dependency on a single commodity - Forestry Enterprise Development Agreement under review by the Board; Bee-hive keeping and Biotech flu-vaccine for broiler chicken from green tea extract. These are highly profitable and sustainable programmes.
- Land tenure resolution - Land settlement agreement for Location 32 Lambasi also known as Magwa owned by the former Department of Land Affairs has been agreed to be handed over to the claimants; the agreement was signed by former Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs: Ms L Xingwana on 18 November 2006; however, the transfer of ownership and title deed is outstanding to-date. MET together with the Office of the Premier and Mr Zama Memela of the Land Claims Commission to resolve the transfer.
2. MET Management Response:
Both Magwa and Majola employment statistics:
Financial period |
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
Permanent |
647 |
481 |
474 |
452 |
365 |
Seasonal |
1032 |
847 |
506 |
296 |
152 |
Total |
1679 |
1328 |
980 |
748 |
517 |
24 November 2023 - NW3323
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether Botswana is currently exporting (a) cattle and (b) beef to the Republic despite the recent outbreak of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the specified country; if not, what is the position in this regard, if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what are the reasons that the Republic is facing challenges in exporting to the specified country if the country can export its beef and animal products to the Republic in the context of both countries having experienced incidents of the specified disease?
Reply:
(1)(a),(b) Yes. South Africa still imports cattle and beef from zones in Botswana that are recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE). Botswana had 6 zones which are recognised by WOAH as free from FMD without vaccination. These zones are separated by fencing and managed separately with very strict movement control between zones, to maintain their free status; as a result, if there is an outbreak in one zone, it does not affect the other zones.
Botswana reported incursion of buffalo in their disease control zones 3b, 3c and 6a in September 2023 which they suspect broke from Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. These three zones were immediately placed under quarantine. Some buffalo were destroyed and samples collected while some were moved to the Chobe National Park in Botswana. Some of the samples collected tested positive for a SAT 1. Botswana has suspended movements of cloven hooved animals in their zones 5 and 8, and exports suspended.
(2) South Africa lost its WOAH recognised FMD free zone without vaccination status in 2019, with the first outbreak of FMD. South Africa experienced additional FMD outbreaks between 2020 and 2022 which included additional provinces. South Africa has been unable to regain its free zone status to date. Therefore, the whole of South Africa is considered FMD infected, for the purposes of international trade, until South Africa is able to submit documentary evidence to WOAH that South Africa has achieved compliance with the international standards required for a zone to be recognised as FMD free. South Africa could export beef, which has been deboned and matured to deactivate the FMD virus, to Botswana under the authority of a veterinary import permit. Cattle and bone-in or unmatured beef cannot be exported to Botswana.
24 November 2023 - NW3932
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether (a) she, (b) the Deputy Ministers and (c) any other official in her department attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in her department who attended the Rugby World Cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by her department as a result of the trip(s)?
Reply:
(a)(b),(c) No.
(i)(ii),(iii),(aa),(bb),(cc) Falls away.
24 November 2023 - NW3721
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) What progress has been made with the development and/or acceptance of an effective avian flu vaccine, (b) how will the private sector be involved in the (i) development and (ii) roll-out of such a vaccine and (c) what are the projected time frames; (2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
(1)(a) The Department has received applications from two companies to consider registering avian influenza vaccines. To date three vaccines have been registered.
(b)(i) The development and distribution of vaccines is by the private pharmaceutical companies.
(ii) The poultry industry has been consulted on the use of the vaccines and is continuously being engaged on the use and monitoring of the vaccines in the roll out process.
(c) Currently the Department is still engaging with the poultry industry regarding the vaccination protocol. We anticipate that the consultation will be completed very soon; thereafter the vaccination will commence.
(2) No.
22 November 2023 - NW3435
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether the process of drafting the proposed new Animal Welfare Act (AWA), has been put out to public tender; if not, who is drafting the new AWA; if so, (a) what progress has been made with the specified tender, (b) at what stage is the drafting of the new AWA and (c) what timeline does she envisage for the completion of the AWA, including the (i) completion of the drafting, (ii) public participation hearings, (iii) request for submissions thereon and (iv) submission to Cabinet; (2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1. No. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has recently added additional internal capacity in the form of 3 state veterinarians, who are currently handling the animal welfare portfolio; DALRRD will therefore not proceed with tenders for the drafting of the Animal Welfare Bill. The first draft is expected to be completed by March 2024 and the Bill will follow the normal legislation-making process including processing through the relevant Directors General Cluster System; conducting a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment; constitutional certification by the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor; obtaining Cabinet approval to gazette for public comments etc. Thereafter, once Cabinet approval is obtained for the submission of the Bill to Parliament, the Bill will be introduced, and the parliamentary process will apply, including further public participation to be conducted in accordance with the Rules of Parliament.
2.No.
22 November 2023 - NW3764
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1195 on 4 May 2023 relating to the settlement of the Lower Zingcuka Land Restitution claim in terms of which she committed that the land claim will be settled by the third quarter of the 2023-24 financial year, the claim has been settled yet; if not, what is the current status of the claim; (2) whether she still maintains that the land claim will be settled during the current financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, by what date does she envisage to settle the specified claims?
Reply:
1. The processing of the Lower Zingcuka land claim is underway as per the commitment of May 2023. The settlement memorandum was supported by the Departments Quality Control Committee on 12/10/2023 and currently being processed for consideration by the relevant delegated authority.
2. Yes, we remain confident that the claim will be settled during the third quarter of the current financial year.
22 November 2023 - NW3820
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the relevant details pertaining to the total number of (a) applications received and (b) successful land claims since the establishment of the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights under her department?
Reply:
a) The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights received over 80 000 claims by the 31st December 1998.
b) A total of 83 067 land claims have been settled since inception until 30 June 2023. The higher number of settlement is due to the counting of rights lost per claim as opposed to the number of claim forms lodged.
END
10 November 2023 - NW2653
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) What is the total number of farms that her department purchased under its (i) restitution and (ii) redistribution programmes in each district in each province since 1 January 2006 and (b) what (i) is the name of each farm, (ii) is the exact area where each farm is located, (iii) are the names of the previous and current owners or beneficiaries of each farm, (iv) is the price paid for each farm and (v) are the details of any movable assets (aa) bought and (bb) at what cost were the movable assets bought?
Reply:
a) (i) Restitution: 5 315.
(ii) Redistribution: 5 172.
(i) Restitution |
|
In each province since 1 January 2006 |
|
Province |
Total |
Eastern Cape |
115 |
Free State |
55 |
Gauteng |
57 |
KwaZulu Natal |
899 |
Limpopo |
1284 |
Mpumalanga |
1225 |
North West |
1479 |
Northern Cape |
170 |
Western Cape |
31 |
Grand Total |
5315 |
In each district since 1 January 2006 |
|
District Municipality |
Number of Properties |
!Kheis |
1 |
Amajuba |
41 |
Amathole |
18 |
Bedford |
1 |
Bizana |
2 |
Bojanala Platinum |
777 |
Buffalo City Metro |
5 |
Bushbuckridge |
28 |
Capricorn |
242 |
Capricorn and Waterberg |
1 |
City of Tshwane Metro |
73 |
Dlambe |
1 |
Dr Kenneth Kaunda |
145 |
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati |
118 |
Ehlanzeni |
559 |
Elliot |
44 |
Ethekwini |
5 |
Fezile Dabi |
1 |
Frances Baard |
29 |
Garden Route (Eden) |
17 |
Gert Sibande |
252 |
Grahamstown |
1 |
Harry Gwala |
18 |
Humansdorp |
7 |
Ilembe |
210 |
Inxuba Yethemba |
1 |
John Taolo Gaetsewe |
35 |
Kagisano-Molopo |
1 |
Kai !Garib |
1 |
King Cetshwayo |
71 |
King Williams Town |
9 |
Lejweleputswa |
6 |
Lephalale |
1 |
Mangaung Metro |
13 |
Mopani |
258 |
Mzinyathi |
100 |
Namakwa |
33 |
Ngaka Modiri Molema |
394 |
Nkangala |
300 |
Pixely Ka Seme |
29 |
Polokwane |
3 |
Ramotshere Moiloa |
44 |
Sarah Baartman |
19 |
Sedibeng |
14 |
Sekhukhune |
197 |
Sekhukhune and Waterberg |
5 |
Tabankulu |
1 |
Thabo Mofutsanyana |
24 |
Ugu |
64 |
Uitenhage |
1 |
Umgungundlovu |
106 |
Umkhanyakude |
20 |
Umzimvubu |
3 |
Uthukela |
86 |
Vhembe |
305 |
Waterberg |
320 |
Waterberg and Capricorn |
4 |
West Coast |
14 |
West Rand |
2 |
Xhariep |
11 |
ZF Mgcawu |
42 |
Zululand |
178 |
OR Tambo |
1 |
Amahlati |
1 |
Emalahleni |
2 |
Grand Total |
5315 |
(ii) Redistribution |
|
In each province since 1 January 2006 |
|
Province |
Total |
Eastern Cape |
817 |
Free State |
658 |
Gauteng |
442 |
KwaZulu Natal |
871 |
Limpopo |
263 |
Mpumalanga |
886 |
North West |
678 |
Northern Cape |
278 |
Western Cape |
279 |
Grand Total |
5172 |
In each district since 1 January 2006 |
|
District Municipality |
Number of Properties |
Alfred Nzo |
22 |
Amajuba |
115 |
Amathole |
109 |
Bojanala Platinum |
112 |
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality |
49 |
Cacadu |
333 |
Cape Winelands |
55 |
Capricorn |
64 |
Central Karoo |
30 |
Chris Hani |
188 |
City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality |
19 |
City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality |
18 |
City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality |
96 |
Dr Kenneth Kaunda |
156 |
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati |
188 |
Eden |
108 |
Ehlanzeni |
88 |
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality |
9 |
Fezile Dabi |
91 |
Frances Baard |
40 |
Gert Sibande |
603 |
iLembe |
13 |
Joe Gqabi |
95 |
John Taolo Gaetsewe |
22 |
Lejweleputswa |
146 |
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality |
80 |
Mopani |
38 |
Namakwa |
62 |
Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality |
10 |
Ngaka Modiri Molema |
228 |
Nkangala |
194 |
Overberg |
15 |
Pixley ka Seme |
66 |
Sarah Baartman |
16 |
Sedibeng |
157 |
Sekhukhune |
17 |
Sisonke |
68 |
Thabo Mofutsanyana |
212 |
Ugu |
16 |
uMgungundlovu |
113 |
uMkhanyakude |
18 |
uMzinyathi |
75 |
uThukela |
170 |
uThungulu |
99 |
Vhembe |
10 |
Waterberg |
144 |
West Coast |
54 |
West Rand |
135 |
Xhariep |
131 |
ZF Mgcawu |
88 |
Zululand |
187 |
Grand Total |
5172 |
(b)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)(aa)(bb).
Information regarding personal details of beneficiaries allocated in respect of part (a) above cannot be shared as it would contravene the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act, Act No. 4 of 2013, which prescribes that the collection of personal information must be for a specifically defined, lawful purpose related to a function of the responsible party; the data subject must be aware of the purpose of collecting data and that the purpose for processing personal information must be clear.
10 November 2023 - NW2985
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with details relating to (a) the expenses incurred for each event during her engagements with the villagers of the Moletjie and Matlala in Polokwane, (b)(i) farming equipment given to small-scale farmers (ii) the criteria applied in the beneficiary selection process and (iii) any other relevant expenses incurred by her department during the visits, (c) how she plans to (i) collaborate with the SA Police Service to address the challenges of stock theft and (ii) address the lack of (aa) animal fencing and (bb) fences and camps for livestock that straddle the provincial roads and (d)(i) suppliers from whom her department procured the implements and the (ii) cost at which it was obtained; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(a) Please refer to Annexure A
(b)(i) The farmers were not given any equipment except for the 200 x 2 500 litres water tanks.
(ii) The process of selecting beneficiaries was done in two ways. One hundred (100) beneficiaries were food security/ subsistence/ backyard farmers identified by the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development through Matlala and Moletji service centres. The focus was on farmers producing at a small scale mainly for subsistence and have no access to water for their gardens. The other hundred (100) beneficiaries were indigent households who were identified by Moletji and Matlala Traditional Councils. The tanks will be used for rainwater harvesting.
(iii) Tents, podium, chairs and the sound system were hired, as well as catering for those who were in attendance.
(c)(i) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) participated in the establishment of the Rural Safety Strategy that is led by the South African Police services (SAPS) and remains an active member of the safety strategy established in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, under a visible policing programme which is currently implemented in terms of the Rural Safety Strategy. This is an integrated and multidisciplinary approach that aims to mobilize rural communities to create a safe, secure and crime free environment that is conducive to food security, prevention of stock theft as well as social and economic stability. Members of the SAPS stock theft unit have access to DALRRD’s animal identification system, this enables relevant SAPS members to monitor stock theft including verification of animal ownership and sale of animals at auctions.
(ii)(aa),(bb) The Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) provides for conditional grants to Provincial Departments of Agriculture (PDAs) which caters for animal fencing as part of animal production projects. Furthermore, the Department, through its collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) provides for agricultural infrastructure such as construct camps, fences etc on communal land to secure livestock in rural areas. However, this work is not exclusively the responsibility of DALRRD; there are other departments and agencies who also play a role in this area.
(d)(i) The supplier of the 200 water tanks is Manekwane Business Enterprise.
(ii) R 800 000 for 200 water tanks at R 4 000.00 each.
ANNEXURE A TO NA-QUES 2985 OF 2023
a) Expenses incurred for each event during the minister’s engagements with the villagers of Moletji and Matlala.
Date |
Name of event |
Purpose |
No of persons |
Expenditure |
|
Item |
Amount |
||||
11/04/2023 |
Career Guidance, Mahoai High School |
Career Guidance |
250 (Learners and Departmental Officials from DALRRD, PDARD, LEDET and Department of Education) |
Marquee, structural engineering, etc. |
R95 000 |
Artificial lawn, stage, sound, generator, public liability, etc. |
R219 255 |
||||
Catering for 250 people |
R55 000 |
||||
Service Fee |
R20 613.75 |
||||
Sub-Total |
R389 868.75 |
||||
11/04/2023 |
Minister’s visit to Kgoshi Matlala |
Courtesy visit and listen to concerns raised by Kgoshi Matlala |
Minister and Departmental Officials |
None |
|
13/04/2023 |
Minister visit to Kgoshi Moloto III |
Courtesy visit and listen to concerns raised by Kgoshi Moloto III as the area is Minister’s constituency |
Minister and Departmental Officials |
None |
|
14/04/2023 |
Tibane Shopping Centre Flea Market |
Minister engages farmers and facilitate conversation between farmers and centre manager/shop owners |
60 Exhibitors and Departmental Officials |
Tent, gazebos, ablution, tables, chairs, generator, etc Service fee |
R58 607 R3 271.75 |
Catering 100 people Service fee |
R30 385.00 R1 696.25 |
||||
Sound system Service fee |
R26 028.10 R1 453.03 |
||||
Sub-Total |
R121 441.13 |
||||
17/04/2023 |
Farmers Day Moletji Moshate |
Minister/departmental officials direct engagement with backyard farmers and handing over of water tanks |
550 community members, including backyard farmers |
Item |
Amount |
Catering 550 people Service fee |
R167 117.50 R9 329.38 |
||||
Sound and podium Service fee |
R152 212.99 R 8 497.33 |
||||
Marquee (incl. ablution, chairs, tables, stage, VIP tent, deco, generator, etc.) Service fee |
R734 256.10 R 40 990.03 |
||||
Media (Radio) Service fee |
R69 010.00 R3 852.50 |
||||
Sub-Total |
R1 185 265.83 |
||||
17/04/2023 |
Farmers Day Moletji Moshate |
Procurement of 200 Water Tanks |
200 water tanks |
R800 000.00 |
|
GRAND TOTAL |
R 2 496 575.71 |
10 November 2023 - NW2831
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the comprehensive breakdown of the number of hectares of farmland destroyed by fires in each (a) province and (b) calendar month since 1 January 2020; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(a),(b) Please refer to the table below.
2020/2021 |
||
(a) |
(b) |
|
PROVINCE |
HECTARES |
CALENDAR MONTH(S) |
EC |
4 046 |
Mid-June 2020 to early July 2020. |
FS |
100 000 |
October 2021. |
GP |
No Report |
No Report. |
KZN |
52 088 |
Calendar month not specified. |
LP |
No Report |
No Report. |
MP |
57 809 |
July to October. |
NC |
103 924 |
Calendar month not specified. |
NW |
No Report |
No Report |
WC |
No Report |
No Report |
TOTAL |
317867 |
|
2021/2022 |
||
EC |
4046 |
June 2021 to July 2021. |
FS |
100 536 |
Calendar month not specified. |
GP |
No Report |
No Report. |
KZN |
27 149 |
Calendar month not specified. |
LP |
No Report |
No Report. |
MP |
489 929 |
July to October. |
NC |
752 871 |
Calendar month not specified. |
NW |
738 302 |
Calendar month not specified. |
WC |
No Report |
No Report. |
TOTAL |
2 112 833 |
|
2022/2023 |
||
EC |
No Report |
No Report. |
FS |
76 943 |
Calendar month not specified. |
GP |
No Report |
No Report. |
KZN |
14 535 |
Calendar month not specified. |
LP |
No Report |
No Report. |
MP |
403 373 |
July to October. |
NC |
754 024 |
Calendar month not specified. |
NW |
483 453 |
Calendar month not specified. |
WC |
No Report |
No Report. |
TOTAL |
1 732 328 |
|
2023 |
||
EC |
10321 |
September. |
FS |
106 000 |
September. |
GP |
5 000 |
June to August. |
KZN |
12 332 |
September |
LP |
619 |
August. |
MP |
34 291 |
August. |
NC |
76 178 |
September. |
NW |
367 902 |
September. |
WC |
No Report |
No Report. |
TOTAL |
612 643 |
10 November 2023 - NW2816
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Noting that based on the Auditor-General of South Africa 2019/2020 Annual Report, the Onderstepoort Biological Products Board requested that all tenders awarded in the preceding five financial years, including Good Manufacturing Practice, be investigated, what (a) is the status of the investigation into the specified companies and (b) are the full, relevant details pertaining to all the investigations that were done from 1 January 2019 to date?
Reply:
a) Onderstepoort Biological Products (SOC) Ltd met with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to submit information relating to the GMP construction facility contracts during 2022. After the initial meeting, OBP forwarded to the SIU information at its disposal. Interviews were conducted with senior OBP officials who were employed at OBP at the time of the procurement. No feedback has been received from the SIU since then.
b) Full details on the matter are as outlined above and there has been no development since that exchange of information.
10 November 2023 - NW2452
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1) Whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with the relevant details about the dysfunctional agri-parks regarding the (a) total amount spent on each dysfunctional agri-park project, (b) reasons for the failures, (c) actions taken against the implementors and (d) total number of jobs lost as a result of the failed projects; (2) whether her department intends to allocate additional money towards the projects; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. There are no dysfunctional Farmer Production Support Units (FPSUs). In the Free State the Springbokfontein Agri-Hub is experiencing conflict within the existing cooperative, which will be resolved by registering a new cooperative. This however does not indicate that the Agri-Hub is a failure or dysfunctional.
(a),(b),(c),(d) Falls away.
The Agri-parks programme is comprised of three legs, i.e, the Farmer Production Support Unit (FPSU), where mechanisation and production inputs are provided; the Agri-Hub where production is collated with a little bit of value addition; and Rural-Urban Markets where the produce is sold. Currently, the Department is implementing only the first leg of the programme, which is the Farmer Support Programme (FPSU). The diagram below depicts a typical Agri-park.
There are two (2) major components in the establishment of a Farmer Production Support Unit, (FPSU) namely: Infrastructure and Operations. The functionality of the FPSU is determined or defined by the FPSUs ability to provide any of the following to producers towards agricultural production and market access:
- Governance structure;
- Production inputs;
- Mechanisation support;
- Human resources support; and
- Producer registration.
(2) Yes. Please refer to Annexure A.