Questions and Replies

Reply:

a) No Direct Relationship

b) No Indirect Relationship

(і) No

(іі) No

(ііі) No

(іv) No

Reply:

(a) The input supply programme of DAFF is implemented through the Ilima/Letsema conditional grants. The following is the response based on the verified 2016/17 Ilima/Letsema annual report.

1. 214 952 beneficiaries were reported to have been supported with inputs to produce their own food in the 2016/17 financial year.
2. In terms of gender, the table 1 below indicates that 47% were male and 53% female.
3. Municipalities supported are reflected Annexure A attached.

(b) The criteria for support is as follows:

• 1. The applicant must be a South African citizen,
  2. The applicant must be from a historically disadvantaged group (black, Indian, coloured and Chinese as determined),
  3. The applicant must be 18 years or older,
  4. Must have proof of tenure,
  5. Must have access to services in particular water,
  6. Provide the status of farm governance system,
  7. Indicate managerial and technical skills.

Documents required to finalise the approval for support are the following:

1. Identity document,
2. Proof of residence,
3. Proof of legal access to land,
4. Extension officer’s report,
5. Proof of access to water rights where applicable.

(c) The beneficiaries are determined by the approval committees at district level in provinces.

Reply:

1. Yes; the Department has developed a Sectoral Drought Management Plan and its Implementation Guidelines as per Disaster Management Act, 57 of 2002, Disaster Management Amendment Act, 16 of 2015 and the National Disaster Management Framework which addresses drought conditions throughout the Country including the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

The Sectoral Drought Management Plan has been developed with the following measures in consideration:

• Establishing integrated institutional capacity and support at all levels of government.
• Increasing awareness and preparedness on impending disasters.
• Establishing and implementing response, recovery and rehabilitation programmes.
• Establishing an effective early warning system and improving information dissemination
• The Department also has measures put in place for post disaster response and recovery including providing support to affected provinces through disaster relief schemes and reprioritisation of funds through programmes such as CASP, Ilima/Letsema among others.

The Department also developed the National Drought Action/Response Plan which looks at the short to long term interventions as well as the Drought Indicator Guidelines.

2. Yes; the Department is working with other relevant departments such as:

Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) as well as academic and research institutions such as Universities, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Agricultural Research Council (ARC) among others.

a) The Department participates in National Joint Drought Coordinating Committee, Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Drought and also chairs the National Drought Task Team.

b) The Department is working with provinces to promote awareness on drought coping strategies and capacity building. Farmers are also being advised continuously to follow good farming practices to minimize the impact of drought and to conserve natural resources. Provinces are also putting measures in place to address the situation; Northern Cape is currently assisting with transportation to deliver maize to critical areas: 800 ton already delivered to Upington, Springbok, Pofadder, Williston, Calvinia and Loeriesfontein where about 1300 Farmers have already been assisted and assistance is still ongoing.

Western Cape Province has been allocated an amount of R40 million for purchasing and distribution of animal feed for which implementation will soon commence.

The Eastern Cape Province has declared local state of drought disaster in Amathole, Sarah Baartman District Municipalities and Nelson Mandela Metro in terms of section 55 (1) of the Disaster Management Act (Act No. 57 of 2002). The classification process is due to be finalized by the National Disaster Management Centre. The Department will provide all necessary support to the Province to ensure that drought impacts are mitigated.

Reply:

a) and b) The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries through the Branch Food Security and Agrarian Reform manages the input supply programme of DAFF as follows:

(i) The Chief Directorate Food Security is responsible for policy formulation, development of the norms and standards for farmer support and development, coordination of the food security interventions by other government departments, SADC and other stakeholders as well as reporting on progress made by all stakeholders.

(ii) The Chief Directorate CASP is responsible for programme management and coordination of CASP and Ilima/Letsema conditional grants to ensure compliance to the Division of Revenue Act by DAFF and implementing provincial departments of agriculture. The chief directorate ensures that the provinces adhere to the standard operating procedures of the conditional grants as well as ensures that Directorates within DAFF whose mandates are funded by the conditional grants are part of the national assessment panel which agree on the guiding framework for the grants, evaluates the provincial business plans and monitors implementation of approved plans. The chief directorate prepares reports on implementation of conditional grants CASP and Ilima/Letsema and provide strategic advice and support to implementing provinces.

(iii) The Chief Directorate Sector Capacity Building is responsible for the development of the norms and standards for farmer training and capacity building as well as the standard operating producer on how farmers should be capacitated. The chief directorate monitors training programmes planned and implemented by provinces to support farmers as well as progress made in revitalizing colleges of agriculture.

(iv) The Chief Directorate Extension and Advisory services develops policies, norms and standards for provision of extension support in provinces and monitors implementation of the extension recovery plan funded through CASP.

The other branches within DAFF provide the specialist advisory services for animal production, crop production, marketing and agro-processing. These directorates participate in the national assessment panel as well as in monitoring implementation of projects and programmes falling within their mandates. Below link is a diagrammatic representation of directorates involved in farmer support and development.

https://pmg.org.za/files/RNW2101Diagram-170906.pdf

 

Directorate Crop Production

Directorate Engineering Services

Directorate Water Use and Irrigation development

Directorate Smallholder

Directorate Programme Development Support

Directorate Training and Capacity Building

Reply:

Yes. There is a budget allocated to the input supply programme through the Ilima/Letsema conditional grant.

a) The table indicates the financial allocation per province for the implementation of the Ilima/Letsema programme aimed at supporting farmers and households with inputs to produce their own food.

PROVINCE	ALLOCATION
	R’000
Eastern Cape	67 356
Free State	63 178
Gauteng	27 673
KwaZulu-Natal	67 356
Limpopo	67 356
Mpumalanga	52 213
Northern Cape	58 480
North West	63 178
Western Cape	55 349
Unallocated	00
Total	522 139

A total allocation of R522, 139 million is made available in the 2017/18 financial year through Ilima/Letsema to support farmers, household food gardens, community gardens and school gardens with agricultural inputs.

b) The funds are transferred to provinces where the operations take place. To date, two tranches have been transferred to provinces as per the below approved disbursement schedule:

Province	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4
EC	10%	15%	50%	25%
FS	10%	25%	40%	25%
GP	20%	20%	35%	25%
KZN	10%	20%	40%	30%
LP	10%	15%	55%	20%
MP	0%	25%	50%	25%
Province	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4
NC	10%	25%	40%	25%
NW	10%	15%	50%	25%
WC	30%	30%	25%	15%

The disbursement schedule was determined based on the planned activities per quarter in each province.

The expenditure for quarter one is reflected in the table below.

Table 1: Provincial allocations, transfers and expenditure as at end of June 2017
Province R thousand	Division of Revenue Act, 2017(Act No. 3 of 2017)	Total available	Payment Schedule: Year to date	Received by province: Year to date	Provincial actual payments	% Transferred of national allocation	% Actual payments of total received	% Actual payments of total available
Eastern Cape	67,356	67,356	6,736	6,736	1,034	10.00%	15.40%	1.5
Free State	63,178	63,178	6,318	6,318	339	10.00%	5.40%	0.5
Gauteng	27,673	27,673	5,535	5,535	4,542	20.00%	82.10%	16.4
Kwa-Zulu Natal	67,356	67,356	6,736	6,736	895	10.00%	13.30%	1.3
Limpopo	67,356	67,356	6,736	6,736	7,144	10.00%	106.10%	10.6
Mpumalanga	52,213	52,213	-	-	4,908	0.00%		9.4
Northern Cape	58,480	58,480	5,848	5,848	4,270	10.00%	73.00%	7.3
North West	63,178	63,178	6,318	6,318	6,909	10.00%	109.40%	10.9
Western Cape	55,349	55,349	16,605	16,605	16,605	30.00%	100.00%	30
Total	522,139	522,139	60,832	60,832	46,646	12.20%	63.10%	8.90%

Table 1 above shows that Ilima/Letsema has been allocated R522, 139 million in 2017/18 financial year; R60, 832 million was transferred to provinces in quarter one and the expenditure stands at R46, 646 million as at the end of the quarter under review representing 63.1% expenditure against the total received and 8.9 % of total funds available. North West spent 9% more than funds transferred, followed by Limpopo at 106% and Western Cape spent 100% of funds received. There is poor performance by Free State, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Eastern Cape provinces at 5.4%, 13.3% and 15.4% respectively although the payment schedule was determined by provincial planned activities per quarter, these provinces experienced delays in concluding procurement processes in the quarter under review. Mpumalanga did not receive any transfers in the quarter under review as their business plan had no planned activities in quarter one, however the province spend 9.4% of the total available after reviewing their plans. The above table shows a fair overall performance at the end of quarter one and DAFF has planned monitoring visits to verify reported performance.

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) does not source, supply or distribute agricultural inputs for farmer support programmes. The DAFF however allocates conditional grants which are transferred to the provincial departments of agriculture as guided by the Division of Revenue Act. The sourcing and distribution of agricultural inputs is the responsibility of Provincial Departments of agriculture. Daff further conducts monitoring of all approved interventions as per approved provincial plans.

The provincial Departments of agriculture source these inputs through a tender process and identify service providers or implementing agents who are entrusted with the responsibility to source and distribute the inputs to identified / approved beneficiaries. The DAFF requires the readiness plans from implementing provinces as well as the input distribution plan. This is aimed at ensuring that the procurement processes are concluded on time by provinces and that the inputs will be received by beneficiaries of the programme on time. For the 2017/18 financial year, the readiness plans are expected from provinces by end of August 2017.

Reply:

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guides that the input support program must be needs-driven, flexible and easy to access, and should provide resources based on the quality of the project or farm proposals. As a result, there is no one size fits all input support package that is provided, but the farmer receives the inputs based on the technical assessment reports and needs identified. E.g. one farmer may receive seeds, fertilizer, chemicals and diesel and the other farmer may need only seeds and fertilizer.

The production inputs includes seed, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and fuel for crop production and animal fodder including licks, animal medicine and vaccines, and insecticides (dips) for animal production.

The crops that are supported are guided by the prioritised commodities in the Agriculture Policy Action Plan implemented through the Revitalization of the Agriculture and Agro-processing Value Chains. The crops prioritized are the following:

a) Grains (Maize, wheat, beans, sorghum)

b) Sunflower

c) Vegetables

d) Fruits

e) Sugarcane

f) Macadamia nuts

g) Rooibos tea

Reply:

1. (a) The input supply projects are implemented in all nine provinces,

(b) and ( c) Annexure A provides the list of the municipalities and districts where these programmes are being implemented.

2. The amount that has (a) been budgeted and (b) spent over the past five years to support farmers/ projects with inputs through Ilima/Letsema is shown in table 1 below.

Table 1: Amount budgeted and spent to support farmers with inputs through Ilima/Letsema for the past five years.

Year	Allocation R'000	Received by Province R'000	Roll over R'000	Withheld R'000	Total Available R'000	Expenditure	Beneficiaries Per Year
						R'000	%
2012/13	415 000	415 000	-	-	415 000	400 000	96.4	162 985
2013/14	438 000	438 000	16 000	-	454 000	424 000	93.4	147 990
2014/15	460 000	460 000	27 521	4 062	487 521	484 084	99.3	191 396
2015/16	470 768	466 713	-	-	466 713	464 269	99.5	173 019
2016/17	491 363	491 363	-	-	491 363	481 435	98	214 952
Total	2 275 131	2 271 076	43 521	4 062	2 314 597	2 253 788	97.4%

From the table 1 above, R2, 275 billion was made available over the past five years through Ilima/Letsema programme to support farmers with inputs and mechanization in order to increase production of unutilised lands for beneficiaries of land reform and farmers in communal lands. 97.4% (R2, 253 billion) was reported to have been spent over the past five years.

3. (a) The budget is allocated by National Treasury through the Division of Revenue Act and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) transfers the allocated funds to respective provinces.

(b) The evaluation of the programme is determined by the Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) Framework on Evaluations which stipulates that programmes should be evaluated every five years. The Ilima/Letsema programme must still be evaluated – however, monitoring of performance is done on quarterly basis.

(c) Reports of the projects are provided by implementing provinces to DAFF on quarterly basis.

Reply:

(a) Four (4)

(b) and (c)

DESIGNATION	NAME	PERIOD SERVED IN POSITION
Director - General	Ms N. Nduli	16 July 2008 to 15 October 2009
Director - General	Mr L. Zita	16 September 2010 to 16 August 2012
Director - General	Prof EV Vries	01 October 2013 to 22 September 2015
Director - General	Mr MM Mlengana	01 July 2016 – current (Was placed on pre- cautionary suspension on 11 July 2017).

Reply:

DAFF

1. (a) The department funds a number of research and development institutions including the science councils through the Research and Technology Fund (RTF). The RTF is administered on behalf of the department by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

103 research projects were approved for funding through the RTF in 2015 and the funding is for 3 years

21 Institutions (Universities, Science Councils and 1 Research Station) are currently receiving funding through the RTF.

(aaa) Name of Institution:

National Research Foundation (NRF)

(bbb) Functions of the institution

The NRF receives its mandate from the National Research Foundation Act (Act No 23 of 1998). According to Section 3 of the Act, the objective of the NRF is to:

Promote and support research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of research, including indigenous knowledge, and thereby to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all the people of the Republic.

(bb) Funding period

2013/14 to 2019/20

(cc) Funding Allocations:

2013/14 R7.0 million

2014/15 R15.0 million

2015/16 R20.8 million

2016/17 R15, 6 million

2017/18 R17.3 million

 

2. (a) The department also funds the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) through the parliamentary grant as follows

(aaa) Name of Institution:

Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

(bbb) Functions of the institution

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) was established by the Agricultural Research Act (1990) and is the main agricultural research institution in South Africa. In terms of the act, the council’s primary mandate is to conduct research and development, and effect the transfer of technology in order to promote agriculture and industry, contribute to a better quality of life, and facilitate and ensure conservation of natural resources.

(bb) Funding period

From 1994/95 to date

(cc) Funding Allocations:

1994/95 R246.4 million

1995/96 R287.0 million

1996/97 R331.1 million

1997/98 R354.3 million

1998/99 R302.6 million

1999/2000 R294.1 million

2000/01 R276.8 million

2001/02 R271.2 million

2002/03 R275.0 million

2003/04` R309.0 million

2004/05 R342.1 million

2005/06 R360.9 million

2006/07 R500.4 million

2007/08 R488.5 million

2008/09 R514.6 million

2009/10 R525.4 million

2010/11 R622.3 million

2011/12 R755.5 million

2012/13 R943.0 million

2013/14 R950.2 million

2014/15 R1.029 million

2015/16 R803.9 million

2016/17 R812.9 million

2017/18 R974.6 million

(b) Funding by Public entities reporting to DAFF

1. (aaa) Name of institution

Perishable products control board (PPECB)

Entity	Agricultural Research Council
Posting Date	30/07/2015
Reason	4x4 Rally Sponsorship- Marketing
Amount	R 2,000.00

 

Entity	Citrus Research International
Posting Date	01/04/2016
Reason	Silver Sponsorship - Research Symposium
Amount	R 28,500.00

 

Entity	Citrus Research International
Posting Date	28/05/2014
Reason	Silver Sponsorship - Research Symposium
Amount	R 18,810.00

2. (aaa) Name of institution:

Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP)

OBP is not funding any institution of research and development

3. (aaa) Name of institution

NCERA Farms (Pty) Limited

NCERA is not funding any institution of research and development

4. (aaa) Name of institution

Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

ARC is not funding any institution of research and development

5. (aaa) Name of institution

National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)

NAMC is not funding any institution of research and development.

6. (aaa) Name of institution

Marine Living Resources Fund (MLRF)

MLRF is not funding any institution of research and development

Reply:

South Africa has been a keen participant in the process leading up to the adoption of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Over the years the department has been keeping an eye on whether the ideals of the Treaty have been attained. It has been the view of the department that the implementation of the Treaty has suffered as a result of financial constraints and the capacity of Contracting Parties to fulfil all obligations under the Treaty, especially those from developing countries. Considering the 2017 Report of the Compliance Committee, established in line with Articles 19.3e and 21 of the Treaty, tensions are already evident between provider Countries (which are mostly developing countries) and accessing Countries (majority being developed countries). Developing Countries maintains a view that they’ve seen little financial benefits resulting from the operation of the Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing established in terms of Articles 10 to 13 of the Treaty.

This, however, does not mean that the department is not doing anything in addressing the objectives of the Treaty. Most of the activities of the Treaty already form part of the core functions of the National Plant Genetic Resources Centre as part of the National Programme on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The Programme focuses on the collection, characterisation and storage of plant genetic resources for food & agriculture complemented by on-farm conservation of these resources as well as the establishment of Community Seed-Banks, of which the department has two pilot projects in Gumbu Village in Limpopo Province and Sterkspruit in Eastern Cape Province. The department aims to extend this initiative to Jericho in the North West Province this financial year.

It is also worth noting that the department continues to partake in activities of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture which is a permanent forum for governments to discuss and negotiate matters specifically relevant to biological diversity for food and agriculture.

Reply:

a) (i) (ii) Yield levels from research stations for conventional varieties range between 2.56 (under severe moisture stress); 5.93 under moderate stress and 11.53 tonnes/ha under optimum conditions.

b) (i) (ii) Yield levels from farmers’ fields for conventional varieties range from 1.14 to 5.79 tonnes/ha depending on the level of management and stresses experienced by the maize crop. Genetically modified hybrids with the drought trait have not yet been deployed in smallholder farmer’s fields.

Reply:

(a) (ii) Below are the names of the research stations and the types of agro-ecological zones where the conventional hybrids produced by the Water Efficient Maize for Africa programme were trailed.

Research Station	Agro-ecological zone
	Code	Description
Cedara Research Station	A	Optimum; high rainfall
Towoomba Research Station	B	High potential with limited rainfall
ARC-Grain Crops, Potchefstroom	C	Transitional low rainfall
Taung Research Station	C	Transitional low rainfall
Vaalharts Research Station	C	Transitional low rainfall
Makhathini Research Station	D	Lowland hot and dry
Lutzville Research Station	E	Hot and dry (winter rainfall)

(b) (i) The Limpopo Department of Agriculture purchased 10.9 tonnes of conventional WEMA hybrid WE3128 for the farmer support programme in January 2017. The province was responsible for distributing the seed.

(ii) The seed bought in January 2017 was too late for farmers to plant during the 2016/17 summer season. The seed will be planted during the coming 2017/18 summer season and farmer responses will be known after the 2017/18 season.

Reply:

1. Conventional varieties are WE3127, WE3128,WE4144, WE4143, WE4145, WE4147, WE4307, WE4309, WE4338, WE4351, WE4359, WE5321 and WE5323
2. GW varieties with Bt (MON89034) are WE6206B, WE6207B, WE6208B, WE6209B and WE6210B.

Reply:

1. Private seed companies involved (sub-licensed) in the production of conventional WEMA seeds are Jermart Seeds, Quality Seed and Capstone.

Private seed companies involved (sub-licensed) in the production of genetically modified WEMA seeds are Jermat Seeds, Klein Karoo, United Seed, Monsanto, DuPont Pioneer and Capstone.

At the moment the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is producing limited quantities (about 120 tonnes) of certified seed of conventional WEMA varieties (WE3128 and WE4145) as a stop-gap measure to ensure that WEMA seeds are available.

2. (a) (b) The current licence agreements are all non-exclusive and the licence agreements are open-ended subject to satisfactory performance with respect to seed quantities produced.

Reply:

1. In terms of the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act, no WEMA varieties have been granted intellectual property protection (plant breeders’ rights) yet. The department received 05 applications of genetically modified WEMA varieties on 07 September 2016 and these are still under consideration. The applicant in this regard is the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (Kenya) and the South African agent is the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).

2. Monsanto donated the drought trait (DT – MON87460) and Bt (MON89034) to smallholder farmers in South Africa. In the other WEMA partner countries (Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) Monsanto donated the drought trait and Bt (MON810).

Under the WEMA projects, in South Africa a smallholder farmer is defined as a farmer growing up to three hectares (3 ha) of maize. The seed of WEMA hybrids with the Bt and/or DT genes is sold to smallholder farmers royalty free; that is the seed company should consider the fact that they do not need to collect any royalty for Monsanto when they work out the prices; it is up to each seed company to set its own price. The expectation of the WEMA project is that WEMA hybrids should be more affordable to smallholder farmers. The seed of WEMA hybrids is packaged in 2kg, 5kg and 10kg

Reply:

1. Local seed companies wishing to market WEMA varieties are invited to apply to the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) for sub-licences to market WEMA varieties.
2. (a) AATF is currently the only sub-licencing partner to the WEMA project as per the project agreement with WEMA partners. The role of the AATF is to link the needs of resource-poor farmers with potential technological solutions.

Reply:

Conventional varieties which are currently in production and released in SA are: WE3127, WE3128, WE4144, WE4143, WE4145, WE4147, WE4307, WE4309, WE4338, WE4351, WE4359, WE5321 and WE5323. These codes represent the variety denominations.

The varieties need to be listed on the National Variety List for them to be released for trade and commercial production in South Africa. The ARC would be required to make a formal application to the Registrar: Plant Improvement Act for listing of such varieties. The ARC would also be required to submit a sample of seed of those varieties. The varieties will be tested for compliance with prescribed requirements at DAFF’s evaluation farmers. If the tests are successful, the varieties will qualify to be listed in the National Variety List. These varieties will be eligible for release.

The commercialisation would proceed as follows: local seed companies wishing to market WEMA varieties should apply to the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) for sub-licences to market WEMA varieties. This is because AATF is currently the only sub-licencing partner to the WEMA project as per the project agreement with WEMA partners.

Reply:

(a) The Department protects farmer seed systems through the implementation of the National Programme on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Genetic Resources for Food & Agriculture. As an outflow of this programme, the Departmnt is currenty implementing the National Plan on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. This Plan aims to address most of the obligations placed on Contracting Parties to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture towards realising Farmer’s Rights. Other obligations such as protection of traditional knowledge are covered in legislation and programmes of the departments of Environmental Affairs and Science & Technology.

(b), (c), (d) The National Plan on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture supports both participatory breeding and promoting the value of farmer’s varieties/ landrace species and underutilised species. Implementation of the plan will proceed in a stepwise manner as funding becomes available.

DAFF together with the provincial departments of agriculture is supporting the participation of smallholder farmers in community seed schemes. These schemes are geared at ensuring that farmers are able to produce certified seed. The initiative involve the training of extension officers as seed inspectors. The extension officers will thus support farmers in terms of adhering to the regulatory requirement for certified seed. The farmers would thus be able to sell their seed in the formal seed markets both locally and for export.

Reply:

1. Rehabilitation and measures taken to restore degraded declared woodlands and state indigenous forest

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries rehabilitates degraded State Indigenous Forests. Note may be taken of the report that entails the work done on rehabilitation of degraded State Indigenous Forest over the past three financial years (2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017), which focused on clearing of alien invasive plants and planting of trees in some areas. This activity is embedded in Outcome 10, Output 3 (Sustainable Environmental Management), sub output 3.2 (Restoration & rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems). Activities were undertaken between 2014 and 2017 in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces.

Year	Activity	Actual achievement
2014/2015	Alien clearing/ planting	591.2329 ha
2015/2016	Alien clearing/ planting	302.6462 ha
2016/2017	Alien clearing/ planting	300.287 ha
Total	1 194 166 ha
For noting	The considerable abolishment of posts and budget cuts led to a reduction in the hectares of areas rehabilitated over the last three years.

Furthermore, State Indigenous Forests were assessed for signs of forest deforestation and degradation due to inter alia illegal activities, unstainable use and natural forces/influences. During this period, focus was on the condition of forest canopy, margins, under-storey and shrub-layer. The identified degraded and deforested forests were subsequently included in the rehabilitations plans. Moreover, remedial measures to address illegal activities are planned and incorporated into Forest Protection Plans. State Indigenous Forests were monitored for the presence of Rare, Threatened and Endangered (RTE) species. The sighted species were recorded and included in the Forest Biodiversity Management Plans with explicit prescriptions. The work on degraded declared woodlands has not started due to financial constraints.

(2)   Support for small forest growers               

In order to intervene in the challenges faced by small growers in obtaining the afforestation licences, the Department has put in place a number of interventions that will result in solutions for the sector.

Opportunities for expansion of forestry plantations exist in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. These are the provinces where most of the small growers are concentrated including Mpumalanga and few in Limpopo.

For afforestation to take place, potential developers and small growers require an afforestation license issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation. In addition to the Water requirements, there is a need to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs. The process and time it takes to issue licenses have been identified as critical areas that need to be addressed in order to enable small growers to establish their plantations.

The Department started with conducting afforestation potential studies in all provinces except the Western Cape (due to the decommissioning decision that was taken by Cabinet). The results were that 39 000 hectares (ha) was possible in KwaZulu-Natal and 100 000 ha in the Eastern Cape may be afforested.

To further streamline afforestation, a study was commissioned in the 2011/12 financial year to undertake EIAs for an area of 13000ha in the Eastern Cape which resulted in Records of Decision issued for an area of 10 500ha.This resulted in an area of about 5 000 ha being planted. In the current financial year, the Department will complete EIAs for 5000 ha in KwaZulu-Natal leading to increased afforestation.

In addition to the support given in the Afforestation Programme, the Department has undertaken the following initiatives:

• Discussions with the Department of Water and Sanitation regarding exemption of growers from paying water tariffs. Growers with a planted area of less than 10 hectares have since been exempted from paying water tariffs. Those with plantations between 10 and 100 ha will have a phased in payment provision where they will reach 100 % of the total costs in year five of their operations have commenced.

• The Department is engaging with industry on Forestry Development Protocols that will ensure honest brokering and the leveling of power relations between small growers and established corporates.

• The Department developed guidelines for supporting growers through Advisory Services in the provinces. These guidelines are available in English, Sepedi, Tshivenda, isiZulu, and isiXhosa.

• The Department has just finalised the Agroforestry Strategy with an Implementation Plan. It will be piloted in this current financial year in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. The strategy is aimed at promoting multiple land use thereby addressing issues of household food security for growers who have to wait for a longer period of time before harvesting their plantations.

Reply:

1. (a), (b) (і) (іі) (aa) (bb) (cc) (dd) see annexure A attached.
2. See Annexure A attached.
3. See Annexure A attached.

Reply:

(1)(a) The following Entities have a Board in place:

Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)

Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB)

(b) Onderstepoort Biological Products (SOC) Ltd does not have a Board in place

Ncera Farms does not have a Board in place

(a) ARC

(aa) Members of the Board were appointed with effect from 1 April 2017

(bb) The term of office of the ARC members will lapse on 31 March 2020

(ii) 16 members

(bb) 5 members are female

(b) NAMC

(aa) All members were appointed 25 May 2017

(bb) The term of office of the Council members will lapse 24 May 2021

(ii) 10 members in total

(bb) 2 members are female

(c) PPECB

(aa) Members were appointed with effect from 1 December 2016

(bb) The term of office will lapse on 30 November 2019

(ii) 10 members in total

(bb) 3 members are female

OBP

2(a) The OBP currently have no Board and the Minister is responsible for the appointment thereof

(b) The Board should be appointed on or before 14 August 2017.

NCERA FARMS

(ii) Ncera Farms has never had a Board

Reply:

DAFF

The department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries did not appoint transaction advisors for tenders in the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016. All tender processes comply with the National Treasury legislative frameworks.

PPECB

PPECB has not appointed transaction advisors during the period indicated.

OBP

OBP did not appoint transaction advisors for tender in the period of 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016

NCERA FARMS

Ncera Farms did not appoint transaction advisors for tender in the period of 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016

ARC

ARC did not appoint transaction advisors for tenders in the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016.

NAMC

NAMC did not appoint transaction advisors for tenders in the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016.

MLRF

No transaction advisors were appointed for period under review for the MLRF.

Reply:

37% of DAFF 2017/18 budget is allocated to support small holder farmers.

Reply:

No, the department is currently not in the process of registering the Black Boerboel as a breed in South Africa, as colour Black is not an approved colour for the Boerboel.

(a) A request for recognition of colour Black has been received by the department and is receiving attention. An Appeal Board has been appointed by the department to advice on the decision regarding recognition of colour Black as acceptable colour for the Boerboel.

(b) The Appeal Board is yet to make a decision on the matter as the process is still on-going.

Reply:

DAFF

(a) Minister and, (b) Deputy Minister are protected by South African Police Service VIP Protection Unit paid for by State as per Ministerial Handbook.

No immediate staff members at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries are making use of security services paid for by the State.

PPECB

The PPECB has not made use of security services paid for by the State for any of its heads or their family members.

OBP

OBP has never made use of the security services paid for by the State.

NCERA

No CEO, immediate family members nor staff members at Ncera Farms are making use of security services paid for by the State.

ARC

No CEO, immediate family members nor staff members at Agricultural Research Council (ARC) are making use of security services paid for by the State.

NAMC

No CEO, Chairperson, immediate family members nor any staff member of the NAMC are making use of security services paid for by the State.

MLRF

No Deputy Director-General: Fisheries Management, immediate family members nor staff members at MLRF are making use of security services paid for by the State.

Reply:

9a) and (b) No. There are no impediments to the export of South African meat, animal related products to the European Union (EU) relating to the failure by the country to renew its approved residue plan.

South Africa submitted the National Chemical Residue Control Programme to the EU on 11 April 2017. However, there were challenges identified during the recent audit carried out by the EU in South Africa in February 2017.

The challenges are being addressed with all relevant stakeholders and the EU is continuously being apprised of the developments. The Department is currently sourcing funding to implement a full National Chemical Residue Control Programme. Furthermore the Department and the Red Meat Industry Forum are discussing the possibility of launching a Public Private Partnership on residue monitoring. The results of the project and resultant outcomes are expected at the end of June 2017.

Reply:

DAFF

DAFF has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

PPECB

PPECB has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

OBP

OBP has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

NCERA

NCERA has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

ARC

ARC has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

NAMC

NAMC has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

MLRF

MLRF has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

Reply:

DAFF

DAFF has not procured any services from and/or made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

PPECB

PPECB has not procured any services from and/or made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

OBP

OBP has not procured any services from and/or made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

NCERA

NCERA has not procured any services from and/or made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

ARC

ARC has not procured any services from and/or made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

NAMC

NAMC has not procured any services from and/or made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

MLRF

Marine Living Resources Fund (MLRF) has not procured any services from and/or made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

Reply:

(1)(a) The first phase of the experimental fishery ran for 5 years from 2004 until 2009.  The permit holder held permits in this fishery, along with a further 14 permit holders in 8 areas with 2 vessels per area.  The second phase was ‘relaxed’ to an exploratory fishery for a further 5 years from 2012 until 2017 (last permit expires at the end of February 2018).  Although the exploratory fishery is set to run for 5 years, permits are issued only for 12 months at a time (this is the maximum length of time allowed for a permit to be issued under the Marine Living Resources Act).

(1)(b) Catch rates have been in the order of 600kg-1000kg per trip (typically between 8 and 20 days duration), but this varies greatly with soak times and weather conditions.

(1)(c) Market trials have been undertaken in Australia, the USA, Europe, and there has also been testing of the local market.

(2)(a-d) All of this information is captured in the mandatory catch returns which are sent to the Department after each trip.  In addition, Departmental scientists also independently verify information on size composition and sex ratio through sampling on board during fishing operations and at factory facilities.

(2)(e) Local community training is not a permit condition in this fishery, although training of skippers and crew has taken place on the initiative of the permit holder.

(3)(a) Monthly trips are undertaken either on fishing trips or to factory facilities to verify the data provided and collect additional biological data and samples.

(3)(b) There was very little fishing during the first phase of the experimental fishery, and as a result insufficient data were collected for meaningful analysis.  For the second phase, the fishery was therefore ‘relaxed’ to an exploratory fishery in an attempt to remove the obstacles that had made it difficult for permit holders to active their permits.  No assessment has been conducted as yet as the exploratory fishery still has just under a year until completion, and the assessment will be conducted once the exploratory fishery is completed and all the data are available. 

(4)(a) The exploratory fishery will terminate at the end of February 2018.  Once the assessment is completed an evaluation will be made as to whether a further exploratory phase is required or whether a decision can be made regarding the likely viability of a commercial fishery.  It is recognised that the assessment may take some time, and consideration is still to be given as to whether to continue with interim exploratory fishing until the results of the assessment are available

(4)(b) All areas will be assessed at the same time with the available information, although given the distribution of data, it is likely that sufficient information for decision-making will only be available for the False Bay area.  The length of time for the assessment to be undertaken is uncertain – this will be dependent on the availability of, and workloads on, Departmental scientists in 2018.

Reply:

The Cropping around SPRINGBOKPAN AGRIPARK in the past two financial years are for 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 are as follows as a summary;

1. 2015/2016: Maize - 977ha and Sunflower -5 126.6ha
2. 2016/2017: October to December 2016 ( Maize- 2 299ha , Sunflower - 3 174ha, 30ha - Vegetables)
3. 2016/2017: January to March 2017 (Maize - 660ha, and Sunflower- 2 832ha).

See attached POE'S as verification.

Reply:

No.

It should be noted that to date, my Department has not received nor documented any receipt of an application from Theewaterskloof Local Municipality in accordance with Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act.

Reply:

1. (a) & (b) The DAFF Plant Health Early Warning Systems Division was started in 2004 with the aim to develop surveillance programs and contingency plans for the early detection of and response to plant pests that might enter the country. Pest surveillance and detection can only be achieved through species specific programs as each pest program must be adapted according to the pest biology and the diagnostic procedures involved for positive identification. Pest risk assessment, consideration of global importance and spreading tendencies, as well as prioritisation form a critical part in the development of pest specific programs. Plant Health awareness and legislation regarding pest notification also play an important role in early detection. Hence the unit Plant Health Awareness in the Directorate Food Import and Export Standards, and the Division Policies Norms and Standards in the Directorate Plant Health, were formed. The Directorate Inspection Services, the third component of the NPPO, deals with operational regulatory matters relating to imports, exports and national control of the movement of plant commodities and so also with the operational surveillance actions and sampling of plant commodities for pest detection. The pest Diagnostic laboratories within Inspection Services have experts to ensure pest identification is done according to internationally excepted standards and protocols and to verify pest identification.

Researchers, producers and the general public are often the first to observe new pests in an area which they then report to DAFF through the channels provided. The Control Measures R110 of the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983) have been amended to include a measure for compulsory notification of regulated pests. The Plant Health Early Warnings component has also developed the South African Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan to provide a general plan to deal with new plant pest outbreaks. Directorate Plant Health has developed and maintains several forums and working groups with the agricultural industry with different commodity groups to identify and develop contingency plans for priority regulated pests as well as to respond to new imminent pest threats to South Africa that may be associated with trade. One such group is the technical Phyto Risk Forum which meets once a quarter.

(c) Prevention of plant diseases and invasive plant pest is not 100% achievable given the biological nature of such pest and diseases. However, a dedicated Pest Risk Analysis unit in Directorate Plant Health was established in 2004 which deals with the risk assessment of plant pests associated with the importation of plant commodities into the country. The unit also develops phytosanitary import permit conditions to ensure trading partners receive technically justified import requirements which safeguard the local industries against quarantine pests but also allows trade. Directorate Inspection Services ensures that plant commodities that enter through an official port of entry comply with the above import conditions. Diagnostic samples from such consignments are referred to the DAFF’s diagnostic laboratories.

Through the ongoing interactive program with industry and action groups established in 2015 with the potato and tomato industry and a surveillance service provider, the pest Tuta absoluta (tomato Leafminer) was detected for the first time in South Africa in late August 2016. Through a pest surveillance program to detect Citrus greening, Candidatus Liberibacter africanus was detected in several new areas within South Africa

(2) (a) and (b) (ii) The following pests were reported to DAFF as a result of the implementation of pest awareness programmes, Control Measures and import conditions.

a. Pest known to occur in South Africa but under national control, detected in new areas:

• Aster Yellows Phytoplasma

• Ralstonia solanacearum

• Tilletia indica (Karnal bunt of wheat)

b. New pests reported in South Africa

• A new yet unidentified Cerambicidae sp (sugarcane borer)

• Acalitus essigi

• Acalitus vaccinia

• Banana Bunchy Top virus

• Brevipalpus lewisi

• Macruropyxis fulva sp. nov

• Raoiella indica

• Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall Armyworm)

c. New pests reported and managed as a result of import interceptions due to import inspections on plant commodities

• Aculus sp.

• Aonidomytilus albus

• Aphis forbesi

• Bactrocera dorsalis

• Brevipalpus italian sp. nov. (Trombidiformes:Tenuipalpidae)

• Brevipalpus sp.

• Diptacus cf. gigantorhynchus

• Monilinia fructicola

• Tenuipalpidae

• Tilletia controversa

Reply:

a) DAFF was first informed on 19 January 2017 by the ARC Grain Crops Institute through Grain SA that they had collected larvae (caterpillars) that resemble Fall Armyworm.

b) DAFF was informed by the ARC Biosystematics Division on 3 February 2017 of the positive identification of the larvae collected at various areas (which had at that passed through the pupa stage of their lifecycle and emerged as adult moths) that the pest is indeed the Fall Armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda).

c) (i) DAFF received no loss reports from role players, i.e. of losses due to FAW, but FAW was reported by role players to be detected in planted maize of about 11000ha.

(ii) & (iii) No FAW cases have been confirmed in South Africa from Soya or Sugarcane.

Reply:

1. The total number of boreholes.
2. The department drilled 120 boreholes
3. A total of 175 boreholes have been refurbished to date
4. A total of 204 boreholes have been equipped by the department
5. The overall cost of boreholes was R 51 448 769.00
6. The cost was funded through Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP), Prevention Mitigation Disaster Risk (PMDR) and Drought Scheme
7. The companies who were awarded the borehole activities are listed below.

PROVINCE	BOREHOLES EQUIPPED	FUNDED THROUGH	COST FOR EQUIPPING/ REPAIRING	SERVICE PROVIDER
North West	23	PMDR	R 2 916 177.00	Maswika Trading and Projects
Mpumalanga	7	PMDR	R 1 410 103.00	Intellicomp (Pty) Ltd
Limpopo	60	Drought scheme	R 19 800 000.00
Free State	35	PMDR (31) Drought scheme (4)	R 7 666 000.00	PMDR (31)– Iceburg Trading and Quality Commercial Trading Etsho Engineers & Rekgonne Community Projects
Gauteng	20	Drought scheme	R 2 400 000.00	Dynamic Integrated Geohydro Environment CC
KwaZulu-Natal	59	Drought scheme	R 17 266 592.20
TOTAL	204		R 51 448 769.00

1. The location of the boreholes is illustrated in the spreadsheet with GPS coordinates and/or names of the farms/areas.

Reply:

(1)(a) Total amount spent by DAFF on combatting FAW to date is R88 500.

(1)(b) Sub programme: Plant Production and Health (policy) Directorate Plant Health:

Scouting, visiting farms and addressing extension personnel in provinces: R42000

Attending Portfolio Committee: R12000

Subtotal: R54 000

Subprogram: Inspection and Quarantine Services (operational)

Directorate Food Import Export Standards:

Conduct activities on awareness and education to extension personnel and producers in provinces: R13000

Subtotal: R13000

Directorate Inspection Services:

Visiting farms, taking samples, addressing provinces and extension personnel: R21000

Diagnostic analysis: R500

Subtotal: R21500

Total: R88500

Note: The above excludes costs incurred by provincial departments of agriculture, farmers and industry.

(1)(c) Departmental programme from which the above monies were disbursed is Agricultural Production, Health and Food Safety.

(2) (a),(b) & (c) Since DAFF does not have sufficient budget to cater for unforeseen pest outbreaks, there was no direct financial or pesticide support to farmers from DAFF. We are aware that some Provincial Departments of Agriculture made use of some of the unspent 2016/17 CASP Disaster funds to support producers affected by FAW. DAFF has not received reports back from Provinces on the extent of funding used for that purpose; this will be detailed in the annual CASP reports which provinces will be submitting at the end of the current financial year.

Further, DAFF facilitated the urgent process of pesticide registration for combatting FAW, as well as awareness and technical training for extension personnel to ensure farmers are provided with accurate and technically justified information on registered pesticides for combatting FAW. Accordingly, through the emergency registration procedure, DAFF registered a sufficient variety of agricultural chemicals with different modes of action to allow for proper chemical control of FAW on known hosts and potential hosts.

Reply:

No decision has been made on the application by Monsanto for general release of Genetically Modified Maize, event MON87460 x MON89034 x NK603. The application was submitted to the Registrar of the GMO Act on 28 February 2017 and a notice of the application published in three national newspaper in line with the prescribed application process. What was approved under the GMO Act is field trial for Monsanto MON87460 x MON89034 x NK603 maize. Field trials are conducted prior to submission of a general release application and the purpose of field trials is to generate safety and efficacy data. The GMO Act allows for applicants to conduct field trials within the prescripts of the Act and Monsanto conducted the field trials in the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 planting seasons to collect the safety and efficacy data. Combined data from the two seasons of field trials now forms the basis of the application for general release.

a) and (b) In the current general release application, the safety and efficacy data is contained in the reports from the mentioned field trials. We confirm these are provided by the company in question. This information will be reviewed independently by the Advisory Committee and Executive Council in a scientifically sound manner, taking into consideration recognised risk assessment methods that are currently applied at national, regional and international level; for example, Codex Alimentarius standards.

c) The assumption is that the 39 countries referred to are part of the European Union (EU). This application has not served at EU and therefore a comparison of the outcome of the South African risk assessment cannot be compared to that of the EU. However the EU Commission has approved the individual maize events: NK603 (approved in 2015), MON89034 (approved in 2009) and MON87460 (approved in 2015) maize events for placing on the market for feed or food or for any other uses than food and feed, with the exception of cultivation.

d) South Africa has only authorised the commercialization of genetically modified maize, soybean and cotton. South Africa is a net importer of soybean and cotton. When maize is exported from South Africa, processes are in place to certify the GM status of a consignment in the instance where a country requires non-GM consignment or do not allow the entry of GM maize at all. The 39 countries have not entirely banned GMOs; they still allow imports for food/feed but not for planting

Reply:

Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)

1. DAFF did not participate in the dialogue unpacking SONA 2017 with the President on the 25th of February 2017.
2. DAFF did not participate in the auction of souvenirs or personal belongings of the President.

Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

1. The ARC did not participate in the dialogue unpacking SONA 2017 with the President on the 25th of February 2017.
2. The ARC did not participate in the auction of souvenirs or personal belongings of the President.

National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)

1. The NAMC did not participate in the dialogue unpacking SONA 2017 with the President on the 25th of February 2017.
2. The NAMC did not participate in the auction of souvenirs or personal belongings of the President.

Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB)

1. The PPECB did not participate in the dialogue unpacking SONA 2017 with the President on the 25th of February 2017.
2. The PPECB did not participate in the auction of souvenirs or personal belongings of the President.

Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP)

1. The OBP did not participate in the dialogue unpacking SONA 2017 with the President on the 25th of February 2017.
2. The OBP did not participate in the auction of souvenirs or personal belongings of the President.

Fisheries Management

1. Fisheries did not participate in the dialogue unpacking SONA 2017 with the President on the 25th of February 2017.
2. Fisheries did not participate in the auction of souvenirs or personal belongings of the President.

Ncera Farms

1. The Ncera Farms did not participate in the dialogue unpacking SONA 2017 with the President on the 25th of February 2017.
2. The Ncera Farms did not participate in the auction of souvenirs or personal belongings of the President.

South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)

a. The SAVC Farms did not participate in the dialogue unpacking SONA 2017 with the President on the 25th of February 2017.

b. The SAVC Farms did not participate in the auction of souvenirs or personal belongings of the President.

Reply:

The Department has no payment record of any payments to the suppliers a) Mr Mzwanele Manyi, (b) the Progressive Professionals Forum, (c) the Decolonisation Fund and/or (d) the Black Business Council. No orders were also issued.

Reply:

(i) Minister - (Mr) S Zokwana, MP	a) Make	b) Model	c) Price	d) Date of purchase	aaa)
Cape Town	Audi	Q7 3.0 TDi Q Tip	R630 953.38	26 August 2014	Bought in 2014/2015 financial year
Pretoria	Audi	Q7 3.0 TDi Q Tip	R626 199.72	26 August 2014	Bought in 2014/2015 financial year

bbb) No procurement of official vehicles in 2015/2016.

bb) No procurement of official vehicles since 01 April 2016.

(ii) Deputy Minister - Gen Bheki Cele, MP	a) Make	b) Model	c) Price	d) Date of purchase	aaa)
Cape Town	Jeep	Grand Cherokee	R622 661.00	19 August 2014	Bought in 2014/2015
Pretoria	Jeep	Grand Cherokee	R622 661.00	14 August 2014	Bought in 2014/2015

bbb) No procurement in 2015/2016.

bb) No procurement since 01 April 2016.

Reply:

There are no poultry projects which were closed in Limpopo province since January 2016 to date. What (a) is the budget allocation available from his department to curb the armyworm invasion and (b) action has his department taken to date to assist farmers with pesticide(s)?    

(a) No additional budget has been allocated in DAFF for the control of new pest outbreaks, including the Fall Armyworm (FAW). However, ministerial approval has been obtained to allow provinces to use funding allocated for the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) for the control of the Fall Armyworm. For instance, Limpopo has asked to redirect some R8.4 million for pesticides for FAW control, and permission has been given.

(b) Emergency registration of pesticides has continued rapidly within DAFF with a growing number of active ingredients now available to producers. These have various modes of action on the pests, so could support control in a variety of circumstances. Pesticides are registered for use on a number of crops including maize and other grains (e.g. wheat, barley and sorghum), potatoes, cotton, sunflowers and various vegetables as well as grazing- and lawn grasses.

Reply:

There are no poultry projects which were closed in Limpopo province since January 2016 to date.

However there are fourteen (14) poultry projects that closed prior to January 2016 due to amongst others:

1. The distance between the poultry house and the abattoirs which must be less than 100km. Extensive travel to abattoirs leads to weight loss and mortality.
2. The Lebowakgomo abattoir which has not been operational for some time. This has impacted on poultry farmers especially from the Sekhukhune area.
3. The closure of Mikes Chicken abattoir in Polokwane.

Reply:

a) No, South Africa is currently not exporting donkey hides. South Africa does not have any agreement on Health Certificate for exports of donkey skins with any trade partners.

Health requirements are negotiated with trade partners and health certificates (or Protocols) are then agreed to by the two countries’ veterinary services. To date, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has not engaged with any trade partner in the negotiation of import requirements for donkey skins.

b) No skin hides have been officially exported to any trade partners.

Reply:

1. Whether his department received any request to farm with donkeys on a commercial basis; if so, what are the names of the entities that submitted such requests;

2.Whether the request has been granted in each case; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of each permit? NW189E

1. No. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries did not receive any request to farm with donkeys commercially.
2. No. The department has not granted request to farm with donkeys on a commercial basis.

Reply:

How many farmers received assistance from the Government’s drought relief funding programmes in:

(aa) 2014-15

There was no drought allocation during the stipulated financial year.

(bb) 2015-16 financial year

In response to the drought calamity, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) reprioritized 20% of CASP/ILIMA programme for all the provinces while the Provincial Departments allocated funding from their Equitable Share. These allocations were expended on small scale farmers with interventions in the following short and long term strategic focus areas, viz, animal feed, animal medications, stock water infrastructure and agricultural inputs. A total of 78 863 farmers benefitted from the allocation nation-wide.

Provincial Summary

PROVINCE	FARMERS ASSISTED
Free Sate	3418
KwaZulu- Natal	8300
Limpopo	22 524
Mpumalanga	10 670
North West	21 383
Northern Cape	2108
Gauteng	1550
Eastern Cape	8025
Western Cape	885
TOTAL	78 863

(ii) Since 1 April 2016

In the financial year 2016/17, starting from the 1st April 2016, four (4) provinces being Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Limpopo made available funding from their Equitable Share. These allocations were spent on animal feed and livestock water projects.

An indirect grant of R212 million is currently being implemented as approved by National Treasury for procurement of animal feed. Delivery and collection by farmers is continuing across provinces. The DAFF team is currently on ground providing support and guidance to the provinces.

The below table depicts number of farmers assisted to date under 2016/17 Drought Relief Scheme. Distributions are still continuing in all affected provinces except Northern Cape as shown on the table to cover all registered farmers:

PROVINCE	FARMERS ASSISTED
Free State	1691
Western Cape	940
KwaZulu-Natal	32354
Limpopo	3 976
North West	16 526
Eastern Cape	2122
Mpumalanga	8097

(b) What are the names of each of the farms that received assistance?

Intensive assessments and various reports provided by the provinces indicate that the impact was mostly felt in communal lands, to be specific in communal rural grazing affecting largely smallholder livestock farmers. In this kind of set-ups, farmers commonly use and equally share communal lands for livestock grazing. Commercial farming areas were also affected and are also part of the beneficiaries assisted and getting assistance with the current allocation the DAFF is rolling out. The following areas are some of the villages and commercial farms per province that are currently being serviced:

PROVINCE	Village
Free State	Petrusburg, Koffiefotein, Smithfield, Trompsburg, Sprinfontein, Bethulie, Jacobsdal, Zastron, Rouxville, Edenburg, Jaggersfontein, Reddersburg, Oppermansgronde, Luckhoff, Fauresmith, Phillipolis, Senekal, Frankfort, Kestell, Tweeling, Ficksburg, Fezile Dabi, Koppies, Lejwe Leputswa, Theunissen, Boshof, Virginia,Wesselsbron Bothaville, Verkeerdevlei, Ventersburg, Hennenman, Hoopstad, Bultfontein, Allanridge, Allanridge, Odendaalsrus
Western Cape	Soutkloof, Graatflei, Elandskloof, Vanhynsdorp, Clanwilliams, Graafwater Luitzville, Piketberg, Vredendal, klawer, Malmesbury, Morresburg, Vredenburg, Porterville
KwaZulu-Natal	Amatigulu, Mbongolwane, Nkandla etc
Limpopo	Shongoane, Moletjie, Ga-kibi, sekororo, Abbortspoort, Witpoort, Olifantspoort
North West	Robega, Madikwe, Mogwase, Brits, Mothutlung, Maubane, Ngobi. Moretele, Mahikeng Ldc, Mooifontein, Gamotlatla, Gamaloka, Putfontein, Meetmekar Verdwaal, Sspringbokpan, Bodibe, Sheila, Matile, Grassfontein, Bakerville, Lichtenburg, Moshana, Masibudule, Serake, Gopane, Borakalalo, Lobatla, Ntswelotsoku, Nyetse, Dinokana, Khunotswana, Supingstad, Lekubu, Pachsdraai Welbedacht, Mareetsane, Kraaipan, Setlagole, Madibogo, Disaneng, Makgobistad Tshidilamolomo, Moshawane, Middleton, Khunwana, Delareyville, Taung Depot Shaleng, Manthe, Tlapeng, Kokomeng, Bonabona, Tseoge, Tosca, Molelema Morokweng, Ganyesa, Christiana, Ipelegeng
Eastern Cape	Mbashe, Dutjwa, Mount Aylif, Mthata, Mount Vrere, Ngquza, Ntabankulu, Butterworth, Stutterheim,
Mpumalanga	Mkhuhlu, Coromandel Farm, Malekutu, Mzinti and Kamasimini Schoemansdal Barberton , Waaikraal 556 JR Portion 6 & 13, Matshiding - Vaalbank - Siyabushwa Marble Hall, 125 Schepeers Str, Balmoral Farm, Middelburg - Bankplaas – Loskopdampad, Mooiplaas Shed, Amsterdam Environmental Centre, Leeukop Agric Farm – Kwamhlanga, Mooiplaas Shed, Seleka Farm, Bethal Leandra Watervaalshoek Farm, Standerton , Amsterdam Environmental Centre, Nooitgedatch, Paardekraal/ Daggakraal, Thulamahashe, Coromandel Farm

(c) What amount did each farmer receive?

DAFF developed a drought framework with supporting guidelines to assist in the distribution of assistance to qualifying farmers. The framework and the response plan were presented to all stakeholders where inputs were also elicited and consensus reached from the provinces. Assistance in the form of bags of feeds is allocated based on the number of Large Stock Units (LSU) and Small Stock Units (SSM) owned by farmers. However, in some provinces this method was not practical due to the magnitude of farmers versus the funding allocated to a specific province. Provinces then used their own discretion to determine the number of bags to be given to farmers based on the degree to which a specific area/village was affected by drought. For this reason, the numbers of bags allocated to farmers differ from province to province. To date, a total of 104 086 bags of animal feed were distributed to all category of farmers. Distribution is still continuing.

Reply:

The Micro Agricultural Financial Institutions of South Africa (MAFISA) is a scheme that provides loans to smallholder farmers in the agriculture sector. The loans are provided through intermediaries and not directly by the department. To get the loan, the applicant must meet a set of requirements. The applications for funding are handled by intermediaries and not by DAFF. The intermediaries report to the Department on a monthly basis.

From the inception of MAFISA to date a total of R 408 million has been loaned out to smallholder farmers. Of this amount a total of R187 million has been repaid. The amount repaid account for 45.8% of the total disbursements (repayments are linked to the farming activity e.g. cattle farmers take a longer time to repay whereas cash crop farmers repay in a short period depending on the income cycle).

(b) The repayment timeframe of the loans differs according to the commodity financed. With the effect of drought some clients need extended time to fully settle their loans and this has an impact on repayments. The Department has been involved in discussions with intermediaries on how to handle the situation so that the smallholder farmers can continue to produce on their farms despite the effect of drought.

MAFISA funds are not supposed to be repaid to National Treasury within a given timeframe; they revolve for purposes of continuously granting loans to smallholder farmers. The recalling of MAFISA funds was not because DAFF failed to repay funds to National Treasury. The reason was that the introduction of the Wholesale Finance Facility (WFF) led National Treasury to conclude that it is better to phase out MAFISA and therefore recalled MAFISA funds. Practically the target market of the WFF is not the same target market served by MAFISA.

Reply:

Although the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has learnt with grave concern about the “Bitter grapes” documentary, it has to be stated that DAFF did not conduct any investigation due to the fact that the matters raised by honourable Paulsen falls outside its ambit. Living conditions of farm workers falls within the mandate of the Departments of Labour and Rural Development and Land Reform.

The plight of farmworkers is a serious concern to the sector at large and goes beyond the scope of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and even that of government. In trying to remedy this predicament, the Vulnerable Workers Interdepartmental Forum was instituted and different role players were allocated responsibilities falling within their scope to come up with interventions that would mitigate the plight of the vulnerable workers.

The main Departments serving on the Forum are:

• Department of Labour which is responsible for working conditions of vulnerable workers,
• Department of Health which is responsible for social determinants,
• Department of Rural Development and Land Reform which is responsible for security of tenure and
• Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries which is the lead Department also responsible for empowerment and training of vulnerable workers together with the two sister departments of Higher Education and Training and Basic education.

Reply:

KPMG conducted a forensic investigation in 2010 into the following allegations:

Forensic investigations by KPMG Services (Pty) Ltd. at DAFF.

Investigations into the following focus areas were conducted by KPMG Services (Pty) Ltd.:

• Female Farmer of the Year (Supply Chain Management process),
• Media World,
• Staff appointments,
• Land Care,
• Disaster Management,
• Disease Management,
• Debt Management,
• Female Farmer of the Year (Awards Event),
• Fruitless and Wasteful expenditure,
• Venue hire,
• CASP,
• Durban Quarantine Station,
• Knowledge Bank,
• Ilima/Letsema,
• Vehicle and Travel and Subsistence Claims, and
• 3P Consulting.

Each focus area has its own report and conclusion and documents can be made available on request.  

Reply:

DAFF Directorate Infrastructure Support from Food Security and Agrarian Reform has since 1 October 2015:

(a) The Department drilled 120 boreholes as of 1st October 2015 up to date

(b) The exact sub meter GPS locations can be viewed in the table below.

(c) The average cost per meter for boreholes amounted to R550 per meter

and

(d) Of the 120 boreholes drilled 70 were successful. A success rate of 58.33%.

(e) DAFF did not refurbish any boreholes as this is the mandate of the Provinces.

Farm Name	DoA Number	Latitude	Longitude	Depth	Cost/m in R	Succes/ Unsuccesful
Dr Ruth Segmotsi Mompati
Morna	DoA 5073	-26.650079921	23.796603772	144	550	Dry
Neuham	DoA 5075	-26.680274337	23.873168729		550	Dry
Eska	DoA 5069	-26.653706954	23.825118906		550	Dry
Eska	DoA 5070	-26.658269451	23.826967198	210	550	Dry
Eska	DoA 5068	-26.657604287	23.826321731	204	550	Dry
Eska	DoA 5065	-26.658474593	23.840929778		550	Dry
Eska	DoA 5066	-26.658456770	23.841196252	234	550	Dry
Neuham	DoA 5102	-26.680421980	23.873204860	204	550	Dry
Ethol	DoA 5099	-26.808474606	23.837137083	156	550	Succesful
Pouval	DoA 5094	-26.831714061	23.839084155	150	550	Succesful
Pouval	DoA 5096	-26.829568787	23.848539999	180	550	Dry
Eureka	DoA 5063	-26.712948568	23.900974894	156	550	Dry
Vergenoeg	DoA 5086	-26.815468303	23.865724802		550	Dry
Vergenoeg	DoA 5090	-26.827669954	23.865023390		550	Succesful
Vergenoeg	DoA 5088	-26.792569022	23.876514232	156	550	Succesful
Vragas	DoA 5082	-26.828892918	23.933892324	192	550	Succesful
Pouval	DoA 5097	-26.831070961	23.849042165	150	550	Succesful
Vragas	DoA 5083	-26.829004532	23.934347927	156	550	Succesful
Itereleng	DoA 5080	-26.820922979	23.955469208		550	Dry
Vragas	DoA 5085	-26.848112540	23.921937375	150	550	Succesful
Bulrand	DoA 5111	-26.77390181	23.76560372	204	550	Dry
Vragas	DoA 5084	-26.848397305	23.921492775	162	550	Succesful
Bulrand	DoA 5113	-26.78775915	23.74059376	138	550	Succesful
Bulrand	DoA 5112	-26.77621059	23.76528867	90	550	Succesful
Eckron	DoA 5110	-26.81123583	23.75461683	198	550	Dry
Eckron	DoA 5109	-26.81597758	23.75843921	150	550	Dry
Esdale	DoA 5117	-26.77650574	23.69665331	150	550	Succesful
Rusten	DoA 5128	-26.81064048	23.77345716	85	550	Dry
Rusten	DoA 5129	-26.81107648	23.77349169	136	550	Succesful
Esdale	DoA 5116	-26.78475334	23.67516436	150	550	Succesful
Rusten	DoA 5106	-26.84617027	23.79236971		550	Dry
Rusten	DoA 5107	-26.84625568	23.79242892	90	550	Succesful
Bulrand	DoA 5114	-26.78765992	23.74012861	90	550	Succesful
Southey	DoA 5056	-26.804041686	23.994869627	78	550	Succesful
Itireleng	DoA 5143	-26.82077272	23.95555459	204	550	Succesful
Morna	DoA 5072	-26.651524251	23.804120100	204	550	Dry
Eureka	DoA 5060	-26.735488981	23.869412964	150	550	Succesful
Magabue	DoA 5133	-26.61780292	24.08917723	90	550	Succesful
Austrey	DoA 5152	-26.4627293	24.21066246	180	550	Succesful
Austrey	DoA 5153	-26.46247188	24.2115749	150	550	Dry
Ainsley	DoA 5119	-26.62521069	23.81533263	204	550	Succesful
Austrey	DoA 5144	-26.45091378	24.21182613	150	550	Succesful
Goodwood	DoA 5148	-26.43313475	24.27674439	90	550	Succesful
Goodwood	DoA 5150	-26.45614722	24.26238743	120	550	Dry
Ainsley	DoA 5121	-26.62267812	23.82093823	240	550	Succesful
Goodwood	DoA 5151	-26.45584175	24.26357312	60	550	Succesful
Conningham	DoA 5166	-26.55095302	23.62371483	252	550	Dry
Conningham	DoA 5163	-26.567222381	23.592646880	240	550	Dry
Weddel	DoA 5164	-26.552624342	23.622589299	210	550	Dry
Weddel	DoA 5165	-26.560766962	23.616546545	252	550	235
Neuham	DoA 5152	-26.668230000	23.884420000	114	550	Dry
Derdeplaas	DoA 5168	-26.543892826	23.629693807	252	550	Dry
Koeksebrake	DoA 5162	-26.517433743	23.597726773	240	550	Succesful
Derdeplaas	DoA 5167	-26.547494873	23.628114028	252	550	Dry
Ludick	DoA 5159	-26.547914352	23.565951512	246	550	Succesful
Vorster	DoA 5180	-26.527859864	23.543749841	228	550	Succesful
Koudslaap	DoA 5172	-26.405470000	23.599070000	312	550	Dry
Koudslaap	DoA 5171	-26.418883810	23.596502880	192	550	Succesful
marettlwa	DoA 5175	-26.519317923	23.803126777	252	550	Dry
Vierdeplaas	DoA 5169	-26.451251060	23.577725110	180	550	Succesful
Bardenhorst	DoA 5186	-26.387954797	23.654847457	252	550	507
Horstbarden	DoA 5173	-26.449082200	23.634378970	252	550	Succesful
Maretllwa	DoA 5176	-26.521721107	23.806226802	222	550	Succesful
Horstbarden	DoA 5174	-26.450246480	23.639113340	240	550	Succesful
Lucas	DoA 5177	-26.418862917	23.829789363	222	550	Dry
Pepane	DoA 5184	-26.302727947	23.781908369	252	550	Succesful
lucas	DoA 5178	-26.416875009	23.831787152	252	550	Succesful
Groblersvreugde	DoA 5188	-26.289152130	23.608805820	150	550	Succesful
Pepane	DoA 5185	-26.360336248	23.774762015	252	550	Succesful
Serurubele	DoA 5190	-26.536172430	23.001518680	252	550	Dry
Ditsobotla
Monamaladi	DoA 5043	-26.295045211	26.460779478	40	550	Succesful
Monamaladi	DoA 5044	-26.289680260	26.462716825	57	550	Succesful
Mafikeng
Lokaleng	DoA 5029	-25.809860698	25.558570584	60	550	Succesful
Miga	DoA 5031	-25.651711027	25.561691056	60	550	Succesful
Mmagotsholwang	DoA 5006	-25.756390678	25.051964380	150	550	Dry
Mmagotsholwang	DoA 5007	-25.756128397	25.051675960	150	550	Dry
Mmutla Mogolo - Lokgaleng Village	DoA 5026	-25.717673668	25.526186582	60	550	Succesful
Mogosane	DoA 5024	-25.748117056	25.556002152	42	550	Succesful
Six Hundred	DoA 5034	-25.705053337	25.599952106	72	550	Succesful
Tlapeng Village	DoA 5027	-25.718198066	25.474160861	48	550	Dry
Tlapeng Village	DoA 5053	-25.71845424	25.47407141	72	550	Succesful
Tshunyane	DoA 5022	-26.060761782	25.523186773	120	550	Succesful
Ratlou
Disaneng	DoA 4998	-25.785158624	25.270704388	78	550	Succesful
Garagetsalwe - Makgobistad	DoA 4989	-25.743691753	25.084662531	86	550	Dry
Garagetsalwe - Makgobistad	DoA 5051	-25.74381601	25.08467642	90	550	Succesful
Logagane Village	DoA 4994	-25.831681183	24.860653399	44	550	Dry
Logagane Village	DoA 4995	-25.823182164	24.861857917	98	550	Succesful
Logagane Village	DoA 5050	-25.83168263	24.86087121	120	550	Dry
Mabule Village	DoA 5008	-25.797258152	24.553098543	156	550	Dry
Phiring	DoA 5001	-25.778942901	25.166288529	84	550	Succesful
Sehatlhane Farm	DoA 5002	-25.810451914	25.109651404	120	550	Dry
Sehatlhane Farm	DoA 5003	-25.810110378	25.109757055	120	550	Dry
Sethatlhong Farm	DoA 5004	-25.819885330	25.106905831	90	550	Succesful
Logageng (Kingslope)	DoA 5019	-25.925482921	24.727657816	42	550	Succesful
Makgokgwane	DoA 5039	-25.732788786	25.604598165	48	550	Succesful
Ngaka Modiri Molema
Disaneng	DoA 4998	-25.785158624	25.270704388	78	550	Succesful
Garagetsalwe - Makgobistad	DoA 4989	-25.743691753	25.084662531	86	550	Dry
Garagetsalwe - Makgobistad	DoA 5051	-25.743816010	25.084676420	90	550	Succesful
Logagane Village	DoA 4994	-25.831681183	24.860653399	44	550	Dry
Logagane Village	DoA 4995	-25.823182164	24.861857917	98	550	Succesful
Logagane Village	DoA 5050	-25.831682630	24.860871210	120	150	Dry
Logageng (Kingslope)	DoA 5019	-25.925482921	24.727657816	121	550	Dry
Lokaleng	DoA 5029	-25.809860698	25.558570584	60	550	Succesful
Mabule Village	DoA 5008	-25.797258152	24.553098543	156	550	Dry
Makgokgwane	DoA 5039	-25.732788786	25.604598165	68	550	Succesful
Miga	DoA 5031	-25.651711027	25.561691056	60	550	Succesful
Mmagotsholwang	DoA 5006	-25.756390678	25.051964380	150	550	Dry
Mmagotsholwang	DoA 5007	-25.756128397	25.051675960	150	550	Dry
Mmutla Mogolo - Lokgaleng Village	DoA 5026	-25.717673668	25.526186582	60	550	Succesful
Mogosane	DoA 5024	-25.748117056	25.556002152	42	550	Succesful
Monamaladi	DoA 5043	-26.295045211	26.460779478	60	550	Succesful
Monamaladi	DoA 5044	-26.289680260	26.462716825	77	550	Succesful
Phiring	DoA 5001	-25.778942901	25.166288529	84	550	Succesful
Sehatlhane Farm	DoA 5002	-25.810451914	25.109651404	120	550	Dry
Sehatlhane Farm	DoA 5003	-25.810110378	25.109757055	120	550	Dry
Sethatlhong Farm	DoA 5004	-25.819885330	25.106905831	90	550	Succesful
Six Hundred	DoA 5034	-25.705053337	25.599952106	72	550	Succesful
Tlapeng Village	DoA 5027	-25.718198066	25.474160861	68	550	Dry
Tlapeng Village	DoA 5053	-25.718454240	25.474071410	72	550	Succesful
Tshunyane	DoA 5022	-26.060761782	25.523186773	120	550	Succesful

 

Reply:

2015 - 2016

(a)

(i) Africa News Network 7 channel = R0

(ii) SABC (aa) television channels = R706 800.00

               (bb) radio stations = R822 462.12

(iii) Commercial radio = R111 615.94

(iv) Community (aa) television = R0

                      (bb) radio = R0

TOTAL = R1 640 878.06

1 APRIL 2016 TO DATE

TOTAL 727 213.30