Questions and Replies

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12 September 2023 - NW2647

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1195 on 4 May 2023, she foresees any further factors that may affect the settlement of the specified land claim in the third quarter of the 2023-24 financial year; if not, what further progress has been made to ensure that the long overdue land claim is settled; if so, what are the relevant details of the factors; (2) whether any steps have been taken to ensure that all pertinent issues that are stalling the payment of the claim are resolved, especially those that led to the beneficiaries adopting the verification interdict process because of some disagreement of the payment to be made; if not, (a) why not and (b) what (i) are the detail of the issues that still need to be resolved and (ii) is the timeframe thereof; if so, what are the relevant details of the steps that have been taken?

Reply:

(1) (i) No, The claim is projected for settlement in the 3rd quarter of the current financial year as per the reply to question 1195 submitted on 4 May 2023. The Settlement memorandum has been compiled and is currently undergoing the internal processes for consideration by the delegated authority.

(2) Yes, the offer was accepted by the claimants and the settlement agreement was signed with the addition verification lists.

(a),(b)(i),(ii) Falls away.

END

12 September 2023 - NW2652

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

With reference to the land claim on the farm Syferfontein 80 JP and a number of other farms where an amended Government Gazette 37443 Notice 221, dated 20 March 2014 was published, being in contradiction to the Land Claims Commission’s 2020/21 Annual report (details furnished), what (a) are the details of the explanation that she, her department and the National Land Claims Commissioner furnished for the discrepancy and (b) was the (i) amount of financial compensation paid to the community and (ii) basis for the estimation?

Reply:

a) It must be noted that an error was committed at the time of the publication of the amended gazette Notice No. 221 of 2014 in the Government Gazette No.37443 dated 20 March 2014.

The purpose of publishing property in terms of section 11(7) of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, Act 22 of 1992, as amended, is to notify all the interested and affected parties of the land Restitution claim and should not include the Restitution award.

The error on the subject line of the Gazette notice in that the claim will be settled through financial compensation will be corrected through another Government Gazette.

b) (i). No payment has been processed.

(ii). Falls away.

 

END

30 August 2023 - NW2451

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What total amount (a) has been allocated to each agri-park in each financial year since it was established and (b) was spent by each specified agri-park in each specified financial year; (2) whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with the full list of all agri-parks, indicating (a) the total number of agri-parks, (b) the relevant details of the current status of each agri-park and (c) which agri-parks are currently (i) functional and (ii) dysfunctional; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. (a), Refer to Annexure A for amount allocated to Farmer Production Support Unit (FPSUs) and AgriHubs.

(b) The Agri-Hubs has three components, i.e. Farmer Production Support Unit, Agri-Hub and Rural Market Centres. The Department has thus far constructed 51 FPSUs and 10 Agri-Hubs

2. (a) 51 FPSUs and 10 Agri-Hubs

(b) Refer to Annexure B

(c) (i) and (ii) refer to Annexure B

29 August 2023 - NW2453

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Considering that the Animal Health Act, Act 7 of 2002, was passed by Parliament and signed into law by former president Mr Thabo Mbeki in 2002, what (a) are the reasons that the specified Act was never promulgated and (b) was the name of the official who failed to implement the Act?

Reply:

a) The Animal Health Act, 2002 is a complete departure from the Animal Diseases Act 1984 and requires a complete overhaul of the entire animal health regulatory service. The country, industry and markets must be thoroughly planned and prepared as any hasty overhaul will have implications for South Africa’s trading partners. We are in the process of ascertaining and analysing what would be in the best interest for South Africa i.e. whether to strengthen weaknesses identified in the Act that is currently in force (Act No. 35 of 1984) or repeal and replace it with the un-promulgated Act (Act No. 7 of 2002). The Department aims to conclude this exercise before the end of the current calendar year and will approach Parliament for guidance once all factors have been assessed.

b) There are no records that point to any one official who could have decided not to have the Act promulgated. The Department is currently undertaking an analysis as to whether to strengthen the current Act No. 35 of 1984 or proceed with the necessary steps to promulgate Act No. 7 of 2002.

29 August 2023 - NW13

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What are the details of the (a) total breakdown of funding used to support the Chloe Land Care Programme in Juno, Limpopo, since the start of the project, (b)(i) past and (ii) current land care programmes and (c)(i) beneficiaries of such programmes and (ii) employment created; (2) what led to the demise of the Chloe Sisal Project?

Reply:

(1)(a) The Chloe LandCare Project was not funded from the LandCare Conditional Grant since its inception. On investigation we found out that the project was conceived from the umbrella principles of LandCare to pursue the LandCare ethos; it is for this reason the project was called Chloe LandCare.

The Chloe ‘LandCare’ Project sought to improve the grazing conditions of the area and to establish a livestock association. Workers were hired to erect the fence and to clear bush encroachment and sisal to improve the area under grazing.

Our further investigations revealed that this Project was funded from the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)’s Integrated Incentive Grant and reported to Department of Public Works and Infrastructure as a National Transferring Officer for the grant.

(b) (i),(ii),(c)(i),(ii) List of 2021/22 and 2022/23 land care projects are attached. Please refer to Annexure A.

(2) The Limpopo Department of Agriculture undertook a rigorous economic assessment and research by a specialist who concluded that the Sisal projects should be closed since they were not economically viable.

16 August 2023 - NW2348

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What are the details of the (a) reasons that the Pretoria Deeds Office has moved offices, (b) dates that her department knew about the need to move offices, (c) registration targets that were achieved by the Pretoria office in each month, (d) project plan of the relocation of offices and (e) reasons for failure to provide (i) deeds registry services during the relocation of offices and (ii) comprehensive plans to catch up with lost productivity days?

Reply:

a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) took a decision to consolidate all offices into a single building to improve access to services and service delivery.

b) September 2022.

c) 89% of deeds made available within 7 days from lodgement to registration against a target of 95%; and

99% of deeds are made available within 10 days from registration to delivery against a target of 95%.

d) Please refer to Annexure A for the Deeds Office project plan and communication to clients and the public.

e) (i) The Deeds Office did not fail to provide registry services during the relocation; the deeds office provided limited services i.e. only lodgement of deeds was suspended, and registration services proceeded as normal.

(ii) There is no need for a catch-up plan as the Deeds office was proactive and obtained approval for overtime before moving the office to ensure sustained productivity.

20 July 2023 - NW2252

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What (a) has she found to be the impact of rising food prices on (i) farmers, (ii) producers and (iii) emerging small-scale farmers and (b) steps of intervention has she taken to insulate poor households from hunger and chronic poverty due to the volatility of soaring prices?

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) as the custodian of agriculture, gears its efforts to ensure the attainment of sustainable food security in the country. Rising food prices is regarded by DALRRD as one of the major drivers for food access challenges in the country. As such, tracking the trends of food prices, deriving insights for the prevailing trends that drive food and commodity price margins is critical for the Department towards identifying actions when food security is threatened. Vigilance is ensured through assessments that are continuously conducted by the Food Price Monitoring Committee at the National Agriculture Marketing Council (NAMC). According to the NAMC’s monthly food price monitor, the nominal cost of the 28-item urban food basket increased by 10,1% in May 2023 compared to May 2022, costing R1 182,76 versus R1 073,86 in 2023. During this period, vegetables contributed the most to the observed food inflation followed by dairy and eggs. Food inflation has a particular negative impact on the poor who spend a greater proportion of their income on food, even when they consume the cheapest options.

(a),(i),(ii),(ii) The South African producers / farmers at various scales of production have generally been affected by the high agricultural production inputs costs. These include the price trends for domestic fertilizers that were experienced building up to the summer crops production season in 2022. Fertilizer prices increased drastically and fluctuated throughout the summer crops production season due to the global markets price volatility in response to lower global supply. Energy insecurity further exacerbates the situation of high inputs costs. This eventually translates to lower profit margins from farm gate prices for the producers, especially for those that are at the small scale, yet it also translates to higher prices paid by consumers from retailers. However, on the positive note for consumers, including small scale producers as consumers of other food items that they do not produce; the RSA food inflation is anticipated to reduce in the coming months due to the new good local grain stocks being harvested.

(b) Interventions to insulate poor households from hunger and chronic poverty: DALRRD remains committed to supporting agricultural producers with several programmes that are implemented as a deliberate effort to cushion households against hunger and food insecurity in the country. The overall objective of these programmes is to expand domestic food production through strengthening subsistence (vulnerable and household producers), smallholder and medium commercial producers to ensure basic food availability and livelihoods resilience at household level as well as to retain self-employment in agriculture sector.

In addition to the annual support that is provided by DALRRD through the Comprehensive Producer Support Programme (CASP) and Ilima Letsema, DALRRD is currently supporting subsistence producers through the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES). The support is rendered through provision of agricultural production inputs or vouchers for commodities such as fruits & vegetables, grains, poultry, small and large stock. The support targets the women, youth, child-headed households, people living with disabilities and Military Veterans. The provision of inputs to this category of producers has cushioned several producers against the high inputs prices and has strengthened the household’s livelihoods and resilience against shocks and hazards.

30 June 2023 - NW2162

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Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 706 on 5 April 2023, the production targets of vaccines that were out of stock were met as indicated in her reply; if not, what are the (a) reasons that the targets were not met and (b) revised target dates of the various vaccines; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:

No. With reference to the reply to question 706 on 5 April 2023 regarding production targets of vaccines that were out of stock, not all specified targets were met.

  1. Reasons where the specified targets were not met are detailed below:

VACCINES IN STOCK

AVAILABILITY Y/N

  1. REASONS FOR NOT MEETING TARGET

African Horse Sickness (AHS)

Yes

The product took longer than expected to pack because it is a 12-dose pack size.

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)

Yes

The process of packing AHS vaccines impacted on finalising packaging of the LSD vaccine.

Product is now available.

Pulpy Kidney Alum

Yes

Packing commenced in the first week of May 2023 due to delays in packing AHS vaccines.

Brucella S19

No

The delay was due to the long list of key products which were in line to be freeze-dried and this affected its production schedule.

Brucella Rev 1

No

The delay was due to the long list of key products such as AHS and Bluetongue Viral Vaccine (BTV) which were in line to be freeze-dried this caused rescheduling of production plans.

Rift Valley Fever Live

Yes

Packing for this product was delayed due to the long lead time to pack AHS.

Product was available for distribution in the week of 19 June 2023.

Botulism

Yes

Quality control test took longer than expected, there was a need to confirm its safety and efficacy.

Product was available in the week of 19 June 2023.

  1. The revised target dates of the various vaccines are detailed below:

VACCINE

REVISED TARGET DATE FOR RELEASE

REASONS FOR DELAY

Bluetongue

Product was released in late April 2023. Another batch will be released in the first week of July 2023.

Demand was more than supply.

African Horse Sickness

Product is released weekly.

Demand was more than supply.

Lumpy Skin Disease

Expected delivery date end of June 2023.

Currently packing AHS.

Pulpy Kidney Alum

Available.

Awaiting Quality Control (QC) results.

Brucella S19

Product expected delivery date is end of July 2023.

Long list of products awaiting freeze-drying.

Brucella Rev 1

Product expected delivery date is end of July 2023.

Long list of products awaiting freeze-drying.

Rift Valley Fever Live

Available

No delay; currently packed.

Botulism

Product was available in the week of 19 June 2023.

There was a delay in QC results.

30 June 2023 - NW2174

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(1) With reference to the announcement made by the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, in the State of the Nation Address on 20 June 2019, that the Government allocated R3,9 billion to the Land Bank in the 2019-22 medium-term budget, what (a) amount was disbursed in each financial year to date and (b) amount was allocated for (i) land reform projects and farms, (ii) the commercialisation of black farmers and (iii) small holding farmers in each financial year in the medium-term budget; (2) what amount has been spent for each designated programme to date for the budget allocation for the 2023-24 financial year; (3) what performance measures are in place to monitor the (a) implementation and (b) success of each programme that receives a budget allocation; (4) (a) what number of farmers does her department intend to support on an annual basis with the budget allocations to the Land Bank of South Africa and (b) by what date will the first briefing in this regard be submitted to the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa? NW2470E

Reply:

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:

(1) The Land Bank is under the administration of National Treasury and any recapitalization of the Land Bank is the responsibility of National Treasury. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) had no plans to provide R3,9 billion to the Land Bank in the 2019-22 financial years.

(a),(b),(i)-(iii) Falls away . However, it should be noted that in 2020, the Land Bank experienced liquidity challenges and DALRRD has remained supportive of the Bank’s efforts to resume lending activities whilst the process to finalise the debt restructure solution with the Bank’s lenders is still in process. Among the programmes that the DALRRD is implementing is the Blended Finance Scheme, which is a collaboration between the DALRRD and financing institutions where DALRRD contributes the grant and the financing institution approves the loan.

(2) The DALRRD has signed a ten-year agreement with Land Bank and for the period 2022/23 – 2024/25, DALRRD and the Land Bank have collectively committed R1,95 billion of blended funds to support smallholder, medium and larger commercial black producers. The blended finance scheme was launched in October 2022 and statistics below are from inception to date and for the 2023/2024 financial year.

Inception to date

November 2022 to date

Total Client Approvals

Total Approvals

(Loan + Grant)

Total Disbursements

(Loan + Grant)

Total Loan Commitments

Total Grant

(Blending + Insurance)

47

R352 113 806

R31 648 890

R165 279 924

R186 833 882

2024 Financial Year

April 2023 to date

Total Client Approvals

Total Approvals

(Loan + Grant)

Total Disbursements

Total Loan Commitments

Total Grant

(Blending + Insurance)

17

R96 686 340

R24 751 528

R43 571 030

R53 115 310

(3)(a),(b) The performance measures in place include the following:

  • 50% Female, 40% youth and 6% people with disabilities supported i.e. owners of enterprises supported;
  • jobs created;
  • hectares supported or capacity of production supported; and
  • reach per province.

(4) (a) The programme is demand driven and the caps are already set per category of farmer; the following estimations are made:

  • If all beneficiaries are smallholder producers with a grant cap of R15 million per transaction, the Land Bank can support a minimum of 22 transactions per annum. However, because the programme is demand driven, at the end of 2022/23, the Land Bank recorded a total of 30 producers supported.
  • If all beneficiaries supported are medium scale producers with a grant cap of R30 million per transaction, the Land Bank can support a minimum of 11 transactions per annum. However, because the programme is demand driven, at the end of 2022/23 Land Bank recorded a total of 30 producers supported.
  • If all beneficiaries supported are large scale commercial farmers, with a grant cap of R40 million or R50 million, depending if the support is an acquisition or production expansion, the Land Bank can support a total of 9 transactions. However, because the programme is demand driven, at the end of 2022/23, the Land Bank recorded a total of 30 producers supported.

 

(b) The Minister of DALRRD has a performance agreement with the President. Progress on performance is submitted periodically not only on the Blended Finance Scheme but other programmes as well. No date is set to brief the President.

30 June 2023 - NW2171

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Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether, in light of the municipal service delivery failures that have precipitated significant operational challenges for agribusinesses, her department will reconsider its approach to allow for more private sector participation in critical infrastructure provision; if not, what are the reasons that her department will not leverage private-sector efficiency and innovation to counterbalance municipal inadequacies; if so, what (a) framework is envisaged for the public-private collaboration and (b) are the further relevant details?

Reply:

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:

The Department of Cooperative Governance is mandated to address municipal related matters including Local Economic Development.

  1. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) works closely with municipalities in the construction of Agri-Parks including Farmer Production Support Units, Agri Hubs and rural access roads.
  1. DALRRD has partnered with the African Development Bank through the Middle-Income Country Technical Assistance Fund (MIC TAF) Grant of $400,000.00 for appointment of a transactional advisor to assist in enhancing and upscaling the Agri-Parks program to a sustainable infrastructure development system (SIDS) methodology. This approach will facilitate public-private sector partnerships (PPPs) and value proposition for sustainable and bankable Agri-Parks supporting Agribusiness in line with the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan. The two pilot projects identified for the partnership are: Tshiame Agri-Park in the Free State Province and Springbokpan Agri-Park in the Northwest Province as gazetted as Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPS) in South Africa.

30 June 2023 - NW2512

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(1) Whether, since the ruling of the Pietermaritzburg High Court delivered on 11 June 2021, she has ensured administrative and corrective measures such as implementing an alternative system of recording customary and other informal rights to land of persons and communities residing in land held by trusts; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether she has ensured that the necessary administrative capacity to implement Chapter XI of the KwaZulu-Natal Land Affairs Act, Act 11 of 1994, and that of the KwaZulu-Natal Land Affairs (Permission to Occupy) Regulations are reinstated; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2856E

Reply:

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:

  1. Yes, the Communal Land Bill and the Communal Land Tenure Policy are being developed for public comment and they seek to provide for the transfer of communal land held in trust by the State, to communities and community members occupying such communal land; as well as to provide for the award of comparable redress; registration of communal land; land rights inquiries; the democratic administration of communal land; the establishment of communal land boards; dispute resolution mechanisms; and to amend and repeal certain laws.
  1. Yes, the process to design a fit-for-purpose structure for the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is in progress and the capacity constraints analysis was completed. The Land Tenure Unit has completed a proposed new structure to accommodate these functions and recommend a separate Directorate at national and provincial levels for communal tenure and the creation of District sub-directorates for communal tenure to accommodate this order. Currently, the existing capacity within DALRRD handles all matters related to communal land, working with Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) secretariat. The new Board has also been appointed and DALRRD has seconded a well-qualified official to act as the Chief Financial Officer for the ITB.

30 June 2023 - NW2511

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether, since the ruling of the Pietermaritzburg High Court delivered on 11 June 2021, she has corrected the breach of her duty of ensuring that administrative measures to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the constitutional right to property and security of tenure of the holders of informal land rights for persons living under Ingonyama Trust land in KwaZulu-Natal are protected; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the further, relevant details?

Reply:

Yes, due to the issuing of Permission to Occupy (PTOs) in KwaZulu-Natal being retained by the former Minister of Land Affairs, in accordance with the KwaZulu-Natal Land Affairs Act, 1992 (Act No. 11 of 1992), the former Minister delegated the function to the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal in 1998 and the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has since withdrawn the delegations.

The Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) technically took over the function from the KwaZulu-Natal Government and stopped issuing PTOs in 2007; however, the litigation on this matter is not completed, and the application (appeal) by Ingonyama Trust is yet to be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

27 June 2023 - NW2407

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What(a) total number of planned projects on land and development support were finalised in the 2022-23 financial year and (b)(i) total number of the specified projects are approved for the 202324 financial year, (ii) are the names of the farms where the projects will be implemented and (iii) total amount will be spent?

Reply:

a) A total of 83 farms were planned under the Land Development Support programme for the 2022-23 financial year. All 83 farms were finalised, and they are currently under implementation. Finalised in this context involves farm assessment to determine needs including farmer skills assessment, business plan development with the farmer assisted by commodity organisation, budget approval, contracting and opening a grant holding account for implementation. Based on the approved commodity and seasonality associated with it, implementation is spread out in line with milestones as outlined in the approved business plan.

b) (i) A total of 66 farms are planned for the 2023-24 financial year. These farms are being subjected to the various committees for endorsement and subsequent approval and implementation by respective provinces.

(ii) and (iii) Refer to the table below:

Province

District Municipality

Project Name

Property description

Budget

Commodity

Eastern Cape

Amathole

Bellrock

Farm No.1826,Remaining Extent of Farm No.1827 and PTN 1 of Farm No.1850

R6 125 600

Livestock

Eastern Cape

Amathole

Eureka

Portion 3&4 of Farm Leuwis Drift No.1 and Remainder of elands Kop No.2

R6 125 600

Livestock

Eastern Cape

Sarah Baartman

Farm 318

Ptn 0 Of Farm No.326 GRAAFF REINET RD

R3 739 840

Livestock

Eastern Cape

Sarah Baartman

Irene farm

Irene farm

R3 739 840

Livestock

Eastern Cape

Sarah Baartman

Radiesvley farm

Radiesvley farm

R6 125 600

Livestock

Eastern Cape

Amathole

Sixhenxe Farming Coop

Portion 4 Of Farm 1048

R7 737 600

Subtropical

Eastern Cape

Chris Hani

Soetfontein Farm

Remaining Extent Of Portion 0 Of Farm Plaatkraal No.261 and other portions.

R3 739 840

Livestock

Eastern Cape

Chris Hani

Ulin Farm

Portion 0 Of Farm Ulin No.845 and other portions.

R6 125 600

Livestock

Eastern Cape

Sarah Baartman

Waterford Group 1

Waterford Group 1

R3 739 840

Livestock

Free State

Fezile Dabi

Concordia farm

Rietfontein No. 2457/1; Verdien No. 2456/1

R6 125 600

Livestock

Free State

Thabo Mofutsanyane

De Spruit

De Spruit No. 1071

R 7 415 200

Field Crops

Free State

Mangaung

Schmidtsdrift

Schmidtdrift No. 1972

R 7 415 200

Field Crops

Free State

Thabo Mofutsanyane

Schurvekop

Schurvekop No. 187 (LU 3)

R 7 415 200

Field Crops

Free State

Mangaung

Tussenrevier

Tussenrevier No. 1963

R 7 415 200

Field Crops

Free State

Fezile Dabi

Weltevrede Noord

Weltevrede Noord No. 584/1

R11 284 000

Poultry

Gauteng

North East Region

Aron Mbatha

Portion 12 (of 2) of farm Tweefontein No.491 JR

R11 284 000

Livestock

Gauteng

Westrand

Kesiiloe Hendrick Soai

Remaining Extent of Portion 22 and Portion 99 of the farm Brandvlei 261 IQ

R 6 125 600

Livestock

Gauteng

City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality

Kodumela Moepa Thutse Farming Projects (PTY) LTD

Ptn 119 of the farm Bultfontein 107 JR

R11 284 000

Livestock

Gauteng

Metsweding

Kwindla Farm

Portion 21 of farm Haartebeesfontein No.123 JR

R11 284 000

Livestock

Gauteng

Sedibeng

Mojaletema Primary Co-operative

R/E ptn 5 of Uitkyk no 327 and R/E of ptn 15(of ptn 4) of farm Bulfontein

R 3 739 840,00

Livestock

Gauteng

North East Region

Mpho Octavius. Selepe.

Portion 15 of farm Leeuwdraai No.211 JR

R11 284 000

Poultry

Gauteng

City of Tshwane

Stav Chicken

Ptn 14 of farm Fiarfield no. 236 JR

R11 284 000

Poultry

Kwazulu Natal

King Cetshwayo

Belmore

Portion 2 of farm Lot 68 Umfolozi no.13568.

R8 060 000

Sugarcane

Kwazulu Natal

uMgungundlovu

Birdwood Farm

Portion 503 of the farm Beaulieu Estate No. 1412 FT

R5 480 800

Horticulture

Kwazulu Natal

Zululand

Kroomdraai

Portion 1 of the Farm Kromdraai No.459, Portion 2 of the Farm Kromdraai No.459 and Remaining Extent of the Farm Kromdraai No 459.

R6 125 600

Livestock

Kwazulu Natal

Ilembe

Margaret

Ptn 1 of the farm no 16988

R8 060 000

Horticulture

Kwazulu Natal

Harry Gwala

Melville Park

Unit 2 of the reminder of Portion 1 of farm Bersheba, no 38 ES

R6 125 600

Livestock

Kwazulu Natal

uMgungundlovu

Runnymeade Farm

Portion 1 of the farm Runnymeade No. 15577 FS

R6 125 600

Livestock

Kwazulu Natal

Umzinyathi

Spitskop /Sibiya

Remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Spitskop No. 161 and Remainder of the farm Spitskop No. 161

R7 415 200

Field Crops

Kwazulu Natal

Umzinyathi

Stratherne

Stratherne No.4134, Meadowbank No.4130, Ongeluk No.8448, up and Down No.4962

R6 125 600

Livestock

Kwazulu Natal

King Cetshwayo

Tasma

Portion 2 of farm Lot 68 Umfolozi no.13568, Portion 2 (of 1) Lot 71 of farm Umfolozi no.13567 and other. Portions.

R7 737 600

Macademia

Kwazulu Natal

Ilembe

Tulele Fram

Portions 129, 200, 472 of Chaka’s Kraal No 865

R8 060 000

Horticulture

Limpopo

Capricorn

Dakalo Reginah Magwede

Ptn 1 & 8 of the farm Jakhalsfontein 119 MR

R6 125 600

Livestock

Limpopo

Mopani

Deerpark

Ptn 20 of the farm Deerpark 459 LT

R7 737 600

Subtropical

Limpopo

Waterberg

Doornlaagte

Ptn 1 of the farm Doornlaagte & Ptn 4 of the farm Platlaagte 614 KS

R6 125 600

Livestock

Limpopo

Capricon

Magwasha

Ptn 0 of the farm Liberton 298 MS

R6 125 600

Livestock

Limpopo

Capricon

Rhone farm

Ptn 2 of the farm Rhone 321 MR

R6 125 600

Livestock

Limpopo

Mopani

Sekgopo Community

Ptn 2 & R/E of Ptn 0 of the farm Roodedraai 378 LT

R6 125 600

Livestock

Limpopo

Waterberg

Sterkstroom

R/E of Ptn 6 of the farm Sterkstroom 105 KR

R6 125 600

Livestock

Limpopo

Waterberg

Temo Ya Tlhabane Holding

Ptn 1 of the farm Doornlaagte 619 KS

R6 125 600

Livestock

Mpumalanga

Ehlanzeni

Bellevue

Ptn of Farm Bellevue B 519 JT & Rem.Ext of Ptn 0 of Bellevue A2 520 JT

R7 415 200

Citrus

Mpumalanga

Nkangala

Elandspruit

Portion 39 (Of Ptn 2) Of Farm Elandspruit No.291 JS

R7 415 200

Grain

Mpumalanga

Gert Sibande

Haarlem

Rem Ext of Portion 3 of the farm Haarlem 39 IT

R7 415 200

Grain

Mpumalanga

Nkangala

Kalbasfontein

Kalbasfontein 284 JS Portion 22

R 7 415 200

Livestock

Mpumalanga

Ehlanzeni

Kliprievier (Elvis Meshack Dludlu)

Remaining extent of portion 1 of the farm Kliprievier 73 JT

R 6 125 600

Livestock

Mpumalanga

Nkangala

Klipspruit - JE Skhosana Farms & Logistics)

Portion 11(Portion of Portion 3) of the farm Klipspruit 199 IR:Remaining Extent of Portion 0 of the farm Stilte 223 IR

R7 415 200

Livestock

Mpumalanga

Nkangala

Klipspruit

Ptn 7 (Of Ptn 4) Of Farm Klipspruit No.199 IR

R11 928 800

Layers

Mpumalanga

Gert Sibande

Mooihoek

Rem Ext of Ptn 1 of the farm Mooihoek 168 HT

R6 125 600

Livestock

Mpumalanga

Gert Sibande

Rendal

Portion 2 (Nozika) of Riversdale 127 IT

R6 125 600

Livestock

Mpumalanga

Gert Sibande

Shepstone

Rem Ext of Shepstone 280 IT

R6 125 600

Livestock

Mpumalanga

Nkangala

Witklipbank

Portion 21 (Portion of Portion 4) of the farm Witklipbank 202.

R11 284 000

Broiler

North West

Ngaka Modiri Molema

Amantle Trading

Remainder of Portion 24, 25, 28,80,82, 91 and portions 44.

R 7 415 200

Field Crops

North West

Bojanala

Gosiame-Ramaila

Portion 799 of Hartebeesfontein (Gosiame-Ramaila)

R 6 125 600

Livestock

North West

Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati

Kildare Carlow

Portion 162 of Farm Remaining Extent van Block C 2nd Railway Grant Nr 1 JM

R 6 125 600

Livestock

North West

Dr Kenneth Kaunda

Makwene Enooh

Pnt 36 of the farm rietkuil 397 IP and Pnt 22 of the farm Wolverand 425 IP

R 6 125 600

Livestock

North West

Dr Kenneth Kaunda

Mamusa Farms (Pty) Ltd

Portion 8 of Rooipoort 202 IP & 11 of Wilfontein 201 IP

R6 125 600

Livestock

North West

Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati

Mogonedi Archibold

Portion 2 of the farm Alnwick 287 JM

R6 125 600

Livestock

North West

Bojanala

Raphulo

Portion 879 of Hartebeespoort C419 JQ ( Raphulo)

R 6 125 600

Livestock

Northern Cape

Pixley Ka Seme

Keilder

Portion 4 and 5 of Hedley Plains A No. 64, Portion 6 of the farm Doonies Pan No. 106.

R3 739 840

Livestock

Northern Cape

Namakwa

Klein vogelfontein

Portion 0 of the farm Klein Vogelsfontein No 920

R3 739 840

Livestock

Northern Cape

Pixley Ka Seme

Kranshoek

Farm kranshoek no 396.

R3 739 840

Livestock

Northern Cape

Frances Baard

Melkvlei

Farm no. 221 & R/E of portion 3 of Farm Longlands no. 231

R7 415 200

Livestock

Northern Cape

ZF Mgcawu

Vilander. No. 318

Remainder of Farm Vilander No.318

R3 739 840

Livestock

Western Cape

Eden

Forest Hall

Erf 562, Kurland in the Bitou Municipal area,

R5 480 800

Livestock

Western Cape

Cape Winelands

Mesco farms

Portions 2, 3, 4 and the remainder of Farm Ruytershove No.25, Stellenbosch

R8 704 800

Horticulture

Western Cape

Eden

Ruiterbosch

Portion 41 of the Farm Ruiterbos No 60, situated in the Mossel Bay Municipality

R3 739 840

Livestock

 

26 June 2023 - NW2474

Profile picture: Winkler, Ms HS

Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1384 on 4 May 2023, she will clarify the discrepancy in the reference numbers with regard to Farm Meyershoek No. 847; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) at what stage is claim KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/25 that was implemented to accommodate community members who were not part of the original claim KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/202; (3) (a) what is the timeline for the conclusion of the claim, (b) what are the reasons that there has been a delay to finalise the specified claim, (c) what are the reasons that her department is allegedly restarting the process of the claim when in fact it should be in its final stage and (d) how will her department assist the residents of the community who have waited for years for the claim to be processed and were told it was in the final stages, only to find that now the process is allegedly starting from scratch

Reply:

1. Yes, Reference KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/25 was lodged by Mr. Mswelengi Bhekumuzi Bhengu on behalf of the Meyershoek Community on 23 December 1998, for the Remainder of Portion 0 of the farm Meyers Hoek No.847 in extent of 1513, 5256 hectares. The lodger and a few members alleged that they were not part of the settlement as they did not want alternative land.

Reference KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/202 was settled on 9 January 2000 in full and final settlement of a court order in respect of the following properties:

  • farm Meyershoek No. 847;
  • farm Onrust No. 848;
  • Rem of Nels Rust; and
  • Portion 8 of Nooitgedacht No. 903 collective extent of 3262.9193 ha.

2. The additional members that were not part of the original claim (KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/202) were added on the name verification list in the Section 42D memorandum for KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/25, after the homestead identification was analyzed against the original list.

3. (a) The outcome will be based on the further research recommendations.

(b) The delay was due to obtaining a legal opinion on the court order.

(c) Further research is needed as there is a position taken through the Court Order to see if the matter can be taken further.

(d) The Legal Unit of the Department will present the final further research report and the legal opinion on the matter based on the Court Order.

26 June 2023 - NW2413

Profile picture: Mkhonto, Ms C N

Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What (a) are the reasons that communities near the Kruger National Park are permanently referred to as foot-and-mouth disease red zones even though there are no cases reported and (b) support system is offered to the farmers to sell their livestock and products without fear of spreading the disease, in cases where there are reports of the foot-and-mouth disease?

Reply:

(a) The following zones are in place for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control purposes. These zones are not unique to South Africa but is an accepted international way to deal with zones of different FMD risk in a country.

  • The FMD Infected Zone, which is the Kruger National Park and adjacent game reserves. This zone is permanently FMD infected, due to the presence of FMD infected buffalo which are permanent carriers of the disease;
  • the FMD Protection Zone is the zone adjacent to the Kruger National Park, with mainly communal cattle and small stock farming areas. It is assumed that these are the communities that are referred to in the question above, although the term “red zone” is not used officially or internationally; and
  • the FMD Free Zone is the rest of the country, although this status is currently suspended due to outbreaks that occurred between 2019 and 2022.

The high risk posed by the buffalo in the infected zone is the reason for the permanent protection zone in the adjacent communities. The control approach is multi-layered, to provide for prevention of outbreaks, early detection of outbreaks, and limiting the spread of outbreaks as much as possible. The layers include fencing around the Kruger National Park, routine vaccination of cattle populations in the protection zone adjacent to the fence, regular inspection of all cattle in the protection zone, and movement control for cloven hoofed animals and products out of the protection zone. If the above system of prevention works well, then no outbreaks are reported in the protection zone and the zone serves its purpose well. That is currently the status. Should an outbreak occur in the protection zone, the systems are in already in place to detect the disease quickly and prevent its further spread.

(b) If there are reports of FMD in a specific part of the protection zone, premises with cloven hoofed animals in that area will be placed under quarantine to prevent further spread of the disease. Animals in such areas cannot be moved or marketed until the quarantine has been lifted. Farmers in the protection zone, in areas without active FMD outbreaks, are unfortunately negatively affected by the permanent restrictions placed on the area. Provision is made for moving of unvaccinated animals out of the protection zone. These animals are subject to quarantine and testing prior to movement and government subsidises the payment of some of these tests for non-commercial movements. There is also a drive to promote market access for farmers within the protection zone and government is engaging with a number of stakeholders in this regard.

Work on supporting the development of a system to improve market access for producers in FMD high risk areas as part of efforts to reduce the risk of live cattle movements to markets in areas of low risk including the previously WOAH-recognized FMD free zone without vaccination has been proposed. This work involves the setting up of feedlots and quarantine camps to support this activity particularly for animals intended for slaughter.

26 June 2023 - NW2347

Profile picture: Masipa, Mr NP

Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(1)Whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with a report of the outbreak of all notifiable and controlled animal diseases that were reported in each province in the past 10 years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what actions did her department take to manage and/or prevent further outbreak of the specified diseases?

Reply:

1. Yes. According to the National Disease Database, 13 406 disease outbreaks of controlled and notifiable diseases were reported and followed up by Provincial Veterinary Services in the ten-year period from January 2013 to December of 2022. A list of diseases and the number of outbreaks per province is attached as Annexure A.

2. The disease control measures relevant to the different controlled diseases are detailed in Table 2 of the Regulations to the Animal Diseases Act, No 35 of 1984, attached as Annexure B. These are the requirements for the control of the diseases as required by law. Since the epidemiology of each disease is different, the control measures are different for different diseases. Furthermore, different outbreaks of the same disease may be handled slightly differently, depending on the situation on the ground, the numbers of animals involved, the farming practices and the areas affected. It is not feasible to provide detailed information for each of the 13 406 outbreaks noted above.

Notifiable diseases such as Rift Valley Fever, Bluetongue and Lumpy Skin Disease, are not controlled by government and there are no prescribed control measures. However. outbreaks must be notified to the state veterinarian and awareness is done on ways to prevent further outbreaks.

26 June 2023 - NW2189

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Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(1)How does her department, considering the deteriorating state of rural municipalities and its adverse impact on the agricultural sector, reconcile its commendable goals stated in the Agricultural and Agro-processing Master Plans with the realities on the ground in municipalities; (2) whether her department has a bridging strategy to reconcile its commendable goals that are stated in the Agricultural and Agro-processing Master Plans with the realities in municipalities; if so, how does her department plan to align policy with practice; if not, (3) whether she has found that the absence of such a bridging strategy suggests a disconnection with the plight of the small towns; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. Over the medium to long term, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) seeks to improve its collaboration and coordination with industry organisations, through programme and project design. The Value Chain Round Tables (VCRT), which are currently being implemented, serve as platforms to forge greater collaboration and coordination between government and industry organisations, both nationally and provincially. Through the VCRT, the industry will be in a better position to identify the required infrastructure and services at local government level. These will be tabled to DALRRD by way of the District Development Model. The Integrated Rural Development Strategy addresses the challenges of rural and agricultural infrastructure such as roads, agro-processing facilities, etc.

2. Yes, the Department further aims to improve on delivery in terms of the Agriculture and Agro Processing Master Plan (AAMP) at district level, through a value chain approach, where value chain analysis will be conducted to identify the required services and infrastructure needs according to the AAMP value chain. The analysis will in turn determine required programmes and projects at the district level, and in this way contribute to the national targets for growth per value chain identified within the AAMP.

3. Implementation of VCRTs discussed above, and a value chain approach to programme and project design and selection will form the cornerstone of what DALRRD sees as the bridging strategy between the AAMP, and the challenges experienced at local government level, as identified in the Auditor-General’s report.

26 June 2023 - NW2175

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural

What measures has her department put in place to (a) complete the foot-and-mouth disease facility that was commissioned in 2010 and which was supposed to have been completed in the 2015-16 financial year is completed to enable the manufacturing of more vaccines to combat the outbreak of the specified disease and (b) ensure that fencing, as one of the biosecurity measures, is implemented and monitored in all provinces, especially in the rural areas, to prevent the spread of the disease?

Reply:

a) R214 million was allocated by National Treasury (NT) in the 2011/2012 financial year. In 2019 NT undertook to allocate an additional R400 million over the 2019-2022 MTEF in support of the project. With the additional allocation, the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine production facility project has started, and the work is projected to be completed around October 2025.

With the design phase being completed, the final estimates will guide further investment(s) to complete the facility due to the significant time lapse from the date of commissioning of the project. In the interim, R55 million has been allocated to the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) for the procurement of equipment and infrastructure to assemble an interim production system that will be used to produce antigens at a 200-liter scale (sufficient to produce 200 000 doses per annum) whilst the factory is under construction. The interim measure is expected to be ready to produce the vaccine by the middle of 2024.

b) Erecting fences in areas where the fences will obstruct established patterns of livestock and people movements are generally ineffective, due to vandalism, theft, and the inability to legally control movements on roads crossing the fences. Animal Health is, therefore, moving away from relying on fences as a first-line effective disease control measure and rather making use of alternative measures such as the use of perennial rivers, mountain ranges and adjacent lower risk establishments like farms.

The use of fences to prevent the spread of disease can only be implemented effectively where the fences also serve a purpose to the local community. For example, the fences on the western and southern boundaries of the Kruger National Park serve a disease control purpose, by preventing FMD carrier buffalo from having contact with cattle in the adjacent communal areas. It also provides a barrier to prevent dangerous animals from the Kruger National Park from roaming into the villages and hence it has value to the local community. The fences on the Kruger National Park boundary are maintained by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and SANParks. There are also fences that are used for disease control purposes, specifically FMD in specific areas of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. The repair and maintenance of these fences is the responsibility of the respective provincial departments.

26 June 2023 - NW2012

Profile picture: Matiase, Mr NS

Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What progress has been made with creating black commercial farmers in the meat and dairy food chains?

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has developed, consulted, and attained consensus on the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP). The ongoing alignment process has to date shown the intent by different role players within the different sectors to achieve the set goals and a clearer picture is emerging in terms of defining targets and participation by the black producers in the value chain.

The attached Table 1, with specific reference to meat and dairy value chain implementation, depicts progress made and the envisaged increase in participation will be from 30 to 50 percent and 7 to 10 percent respectively.

Livestock

 

 

Tons - (2010/11)

Tons - (2018/19)

Expansion 2012-2019

NDP 2030 growth target

Commercial Employment

Black farmer share current (%)*

 

AAMP output added (tons)

AAMP 2030 impact Real GPV

AAMP 2030 impact jobs

AAMP 2030 livelihood created

Black farmer future share (%)

Beef

628 000

763 000

135 000

282 600

18 541

34,0%

134 357

R8 175 448 721

3200

39600

50%

Dairy

2 685 302

3 341 000

655 698

522 735

33 410

7,0%

183 645

R1 396 998 405

222

16160

10%

26 June 2023 - NW2163

Profile picture: Breedt, Ms T

Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(1)By what date will the task force to address the agricultural sector’s concerns regarding food shortages, be established; (2) whether the members who will serve on the specified task force have been appointed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what criteria did they have to meet to be seleted to serve as members on the task force; (3) what are the timelines that the task force will have to work to; (4) what will be done to address the concerns identified by the task force; (5) what steps will be taken to mitigate the effects of rolling blackouts on the agricultural, food, fibre and beverage industries?

Reply:

1. There are no plans to establish a task force to address food shortages. According to the Crop Estimates Committee (as per publications reflected on https://www.dalrrd.gov.za / crop estimates), South Africa is not experiencing any food shortages. South Africa is able to meet food demand both through imports and local production.

Furthermore, the government has established a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder institutional structure called the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan comprising of the core social cluster and economic cluster departments such as National Treasury and Small Business Development departments. The structure addresses food and the food system inclusive of the food value chain across the continuum from severly inadequate to self sufficiency. At its core the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan address the pillars on which the policy is based namely access, availability, utilisation and stability.

(2),(3),(4) Falls away.

5. The Department established a Sector Energy Crisis Task Team comprised of government, industry, research institutions and sector entities. The work of the Task Team, engaging with Eskom looked at immediate, short- and long-term contingency plans to protect the sector against the negative impact of load shedding. The interventions will cover the sector at large including all categories of farmers. The interventions are also being aligned to the pronouncements delivered by the Minister of Finance during his budget speech.

The proposed interventions are:

  • Customers with dedicated supply infrastructure should apply for load curtailment.
  • Customers supplied by the same feeder/ substation can group together and apply for load curtailment.
  • Review the schedule (duration and or time) where possible, to accommodate the needs of the majority of customers (the criteria will be based on impact/number of commercial customers).
  • Customers in municipal supply areas where switching is done by Eskom and where possible, to exempt/curtail, municipalities to be allowed to do own switching to accommodate customers.
  • Reconfigure the network to allow possible isolation where possible.
  • Install micro grids, PV’s and battery containers for critical loads especially during critical times such as harvesting, irrigation and refrigeration; this will require customers to identify the essential load.
  • As announced during the DALRRD Budget Vote Speech, the Department is establishing the Agro-Energy Fund at the Land Bank. This is a blended finance instrument where the state will provide a grant on a sliding scale per producer category combined with a loan from the Land Bank. The focus of the Agro-Energy Fund is on energy intensive agricultural activities. These include irrigation, intensive agricultural production systems, and on-farm cold chain related activities. The blended thresholds and caps per category of producer are:
  • a large-scale producer will receive 30% grant funding to be matched with a 70% loan portion, where the grant amount is capped at a maximum of R1.5 million;
  • a medium-scale producer will receive a 50% grant to be matched with a 50% loan portion, where the grant is capped at a maximum of R1 million; and
  • a smallholder producer will be supported by a grant portion of 70% to be matched with a 30% loan. For this category, the maximum grant funding is capped at the maximum of R500 000.

Table 1: Grant Limits

Farmer Categorization

Large Scale Farmer

Medium Scale Farmer

Small Scale Farmer

Turnover

>R10m <R50m

>R1m-R10m

>R50k -R1m

% Grant of the Cost (valid Quotation)

30%

50%

70%

Land Bank Loan Component

70%

50%

30%

Grant Caps

R1.5m

R1m

R500 000

  • Grant caps will be according to Table 1 above; however, the cost of the infrastructure needed by the farmer will be informed by the farmer’s farm energy requirements assessment based on the kilowatts. The pre-assessment by a competent expert registered with the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) will be key so that the correct fit for purpose system is installed.
  • The Blended Agro-Energy facility will be used by qualifying producers for the purchase of Capital Equipment and Infrastructure (CAPEX) for alternative energy sources directly linked to energy-intensive farming operations.

Table 2: Common high energy consuming activities at farm level

Dairy Farming

Piggery

Poultry

Field Cropping

Horticulture including (Greenhouse)

Milk cooling machinery

Heating

Lighting

Cold Storage

Cold Storage

Lighting

Ventilation

Feeding machinery

Tilling

Irrigation

Milking machinery

Lighting

Ventilation

Irrigation

Ventilation

Feeding machinery

Feeding machinery

Heating

 

Lighting

NB: the list is not exhaustive

26 June 2023 - NW2173

Profile picture: Masipa, Mr NP

Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(1) What (a) is the vacancy rate of veterinary doctors in the Republic in each province from (i) 1 January 2019 up to 31 December 2022 and (ii) since 1 January 2023 and (b) steps has she taken to ensure that vacant positions of veterinarians in areas where there is a high shortage are filled in order to service the livestock; (2) whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with the number of veterinarians and veterinarian nurses who have qualified, but are not employed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what measures will her department put in place to absorb the unemployed veterinarians and veterinarian nurses to provide animal health services where there is a high need? NW2469E

Reply:

(1)(a)(i),(ii) Table 1 below reflects the vacancy rate of veterinary doctors in South Africa per province from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2022 and since 1 January 2023.

Table1: Approved and vacant posts for veterinary doctors

Year

STATUS

NATIONAL

GP

NW

LP

MP

KZN

FS

EC

WC

NC

TOTAL

2019

APPROVED

38

36

39

39

36

27

15

48

30

16

324

 

VACANT

13

4

10

10

17

17

3

25

4

10

113

 

RATE

34%

11.1%

26%

26%

47.22%

62.96%

20%

48%

13%

37.5%

35%

2020

APPROVED

38

36

39

39

36

27

15

48

30

16

324

 

VACANT

13

4

10

10

15

16

5

26

5

10

114

 

RATE

34%

11.1%

26%

26%

41.67%

59.25%

33%

46%

16%

37.5%

35%

2021

APPROVED

38

36

39

39

36

27

15

48

30

16

324

 

VACANT

14

4

10

10

16

16

6

28

5

10

103

 

RATE

37%

11.1%

26%

26%

44.44%

59,25%

40%

42%

16%

37.5%

32%

2022

APPROVED

38

36

39

39

36

29

15

48

30

16

326

 

VACANT

14

4

10

10

19

16

6

38

6

11

134

 

RATE

37%

11.1%

26%

26%

52.78

55,17%

40%

38%

20%

31.25%

41%

2023

APPROVED

38

36

39

39

36

29

15

48

30

16

287

 

VACANT

13

4

10

10

20

18

6

31

6

11

129

 

RATE

34%

11.1%

26%

26%

55.56%

62,06%

40%

35%

20%

31.25%

45%

(b) The Department advertised vacant posts of state veterinarians in line with the available budget. There has been a challenge with constant efflux of state veterinarians who are being recruited by the private sector. In addition, there are also challenges to get suitably qualified applicants.

(2) The number of registered veterinarians and veterinary nurses as per the South African Veterinary Council register of May 2023 is as follows:

- There were 3 506 registered veterinarians (excluding veterinary specialists) and 731 registered veterinary nurses as at 31 May 2023.

- As with all other agricultural and related professions, the Department doesn’t keep records of unemployed graduates as it is not the only employer and it would be impossible to maintain the records throughout the sector. Vacancies are however, advertised as soon as vacated. Recent adverts for veterinarians attracted very few applicants, suggesting that most are absorbed in the sector.

- Mpumalanga is the only province that has employed 18 veterinary nurses out of an establishment of 24 (75% filled).

(3) The following measures are in place for the Department to deal with unemployed veterinarians and veterinary nurses to provide animal health services where there is a high need:

- All bursary holders are subject to servicing the Department for a period equal to the number of years sponsored by the Department.

- Unemployed veterinary graduates are deployed in areas where they are needed the most in the provinces under the Compulsory Community Service Programme for veterinary graduates. This ensures the graduates are employed for a duration of one year. Once they complete their community service the graduates are registered as veterinarians by the South African Veterinary Council and can service their contract with the relevant departments/provinces.

- Vacant funded posts are advertised nationally and prioritise unemployed veterinarians and veterinary nurses. This has proven to be a challenge as there are very few applications. Most veterinarians and veterinary nurses are attracted to the private sector.

22 June 2023 - NW2020

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Considering that at the Subtrop Transformation Summit held in Tzaneen on 26 May 2022, she pointed out that the Government was ready to deal with the contentious issue of national communal land tenure and in taking steps towards the regularisation of communal land rights, what (a) percentage and (b) hectarage of communal land is currently not surveyed in (i) the Republic and (ii) each province?

Reply:

The available data is of communal land comprising traditional council areas, as derived from proclamations defining the areas of jurisdiction of traditional councils. Such traditional council areas are situated on the underlying surveyed farms and farm portions. Traditional council areas have not been surveyed for purposes of regularisation of communal land rights.

(a) (i) 96 percent of communal land is currently not surveyed in South Africa.

(b) (i) 13 420 197.89 hectares of communal land is currently not surveyed in South Africa.

(a)(ii),(b)(ii) Please refer to the table below.

Provinces

(a)(ii) Percentage

(b)(ii) Hectarage

Eastern Cape

90.1

3 533 227.74

Free State

97.1

137 955.91

Gauteng

93.2

7 466.36

KwaZulu Natal

99.5

3 353 136.65

Limpopo

98.8

2 839 458.40

Mpumalanga

97.3

655 812.14

North West

99.7

1 983 864.31

Northern Cape

99.9

909 276.38

Western Cape

0

0

22 June 2023 - NW1478

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether her department has launched a preliminary investigation into the allegation of financial mismanagement of R31 million by the ITB Holding company; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

No. The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development has not launched any investigation into the ITB Holding company since the holding company is not part of the Ingonyama Trust Board as per the KwaZulu Ingonyama Trust Amendment Act, No. 9 of 1997. However, the Ingonyama Trust Board, in its response to the matter raised at the Portfolio Committee briefing on 2 May, has committed to look into the alleged misappropriation and take appropriate action.

22 June 2023 - NW1823

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What are the relevant details of the (a) Onderstepoort Biological Products’ purchase price of vaccines from Botswana for each unit and (b) price that the specified units are being sold to the South African government?

Reply:

a) Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) purchases Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine from Botswana at an average price of 1,201.73(Pula) per unit which is an average of R1563.42 in South African rands, excluding freight costs (@2,9% = R45,33), import duties (@29% = R453.33), inventory and handling costs (@3,69% = R60,44), onsite costs (@4,6% = R72,54) and transport and logistics (@32% = R501.20). The inbound-landed cost per unit, therefore, is approximately R2696,26. The unit price is volume dependent on and influenced by currency fluctuation. Price changes per order depending on these two variables.

b) OBP sells the FMD vaccine to SA Government at R3 022,21

All these depend on the total of the vaccine. OBP has not increased FMD vaccine price in the past two years.

22 June 2023 - NW1962

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Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(1) What is the current status and severity of the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak; (2) what are the statistics of the ASF outbreak; (3) whether there are currently any safety protocols in place to control the ASF outbreak; if not, what are the implications of the the absence of safety protocols; if so, (a) what are the safety protocols and (b) how are they monitored; (4) whether there are currently any apparent wide-ranging efforts to hide and/or underreport the outbreak of ASF; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what plans are in place to deal with the outbreak

Reply:

1. African Swine Fever (ASF) historically only occurred in the northern parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West, due to infected ticks carried by warthog that came into contact with domestic pigs. The epidemiology of the disease has changed in the past few years. Outbreaks started to occur in domestic pigs without proof of direct contact with warthog and the disease spread to areas where it was never detected previously. ASF has now been detected in domestic pigs in all provinces.

2. The total number of outbreaks is 110.

  • Eastern Cape –25
  • Free State–17
  • Gauteng–13
  • Mpumalanga–12
  • North West –6
  • Western Cape –35
  • KwaZulu-Natal – 2

3. Yes.

(a) All properties where ASF is detected are placed under quarantine, with movement control and biosecurity measures put in place. ASF is a controlled and notifiable disease and pig owners are required by law to report any suspicion of ASF.

All suspicions of ASF (including all reported significant increases in pig mortalities) will be investigated by the local state veterinarian and appropriate samples taken for confirmation. While the results of tests are awaited, pre-emptive quarantine will be placed on affected holdings and the focus of this quarantine placement will be to prohibit movement off the farm.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, quarantine will be confirmed. In addition to placing the affected property under quarantine, the risks for the area must be considered by the local state veterinarian, as well as forward and backward tracing to determine properties possibly at risk and possible sources of infection.

Surveillance activities must be implemented at high-risk properties, by means of clinical inspection and sample collection in the event of any sick or dead pigs. For the prevention of further outbreaks and the spread of ASF, the selling of live pigs at auctions in affected areas may be suspended if deemed necessary to prevent the mixing and distribution of infected pigs.

Movement controls (where movements require certification) and movement restrictions (where movements are not allowed) may be implemented in specified areas, as determined to be required.

Awareness campaigns on biosecurity (safe buying, safekeeping, and safe feeding) and other disease risks will be undertaken jointly with other roleplayers. Awareness is always done in affected areas to advise pig owners on the minimum biosecurity standards that will prevent ASF introduction into their farms.

The various control protocols and specified guidelines assist with infection control and prevention. Recording, analyses and reporting of clinical trials and sample collections assist to determine and monitor the effectiveness of the control protocols.This may be followed by self-audit and protocol adjustment.

(b) Monitoring of all disease control measures is done by the provinces.

4. The Department, together with the South African Pork Producers Organization, constantly issues media statements advising pig owners on biosecurity measures to empower owners to prevent the introduction of the disease onto their properties. Since ASF causes high mortalities in pigs, the disease generally does not go unnoticed. It is not expected or perceived that there are deliberate attempts to underreport ASF, once the disease is diagnosed. However, some farmers have the attitude of selling or slaughtering animals quickly, if they perceive that there might be an infectious disease in their herds. This undesirable behaviour is not limited to pigs and ASF, but applies to all livestock and different diseases.

22 June 2023 - NW2419

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What (a) total number of state-owned farms acquired for redistribution does her department have lease agreements with the tenant farmers occupying them and (b) is the duration of the lease agreement with each tenant farmer?

Reply:

a) The total number of state-owned farms acquired for redistribution is 3 708 farms for which the Department has lease agreements with the tenant farmers occupying them.

b) 30 years.

22 June 2023 - NW2510

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(1)Whether her department has started implementing the order of the Pietermaritzburg High Court that all monies paid to the Ingonyama Trust by all persons and any other entity under the lease agreement should be refunded; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what total number of persons have been refunded; (2) whether she has reported to the court on the steps taken to comply with the order within three months of the date of the court order and every three months thereafter until the parties agree that the court order has been implemented; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. No, implementation of the money order was directed to Ingonyama Trust Board and not the department. ITB has decided to appeal the court’s decision and the application (appeal) by the Ingonyama Trust Board is still to be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

2. Yes, the Minister files a report to the court every 3 months on the steps taken to comply with the two court orders.

20 June 2023 - NW2019

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What (a) percentage and (b) hectarage of communal land in the Republic is currently occupied under (i) apartheid-era Permission to Occupy certificates and (ii) other forms of non-registrable tenure?

Reply:

a) Approximately thirteen percent (13%) of land in South Africa is communal land.

b) Approximately 16 million hectares.

(i),(ii) There is currently no disaggregation of occupied communal land in terms of apartheid-era Permission to Occupy Certificates and other forms of tenure.

20 June 2023 - NW2346

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What are the full relevant details of the (a) purchase of a farm belonging to Fortuinskolk of the Rossouw Olivier Familietrust in Carnarvon that was sold to the Government, (b) comparative market values and prices of the farms that were sold in the Carnavon area between 2014 and 2023, (c) indicators that the farm was bought within the realistic market value and (d) reasons for staying within the market values?

Reply:

a) The farm belonging to Fortuins Kolk of the Rossouw Olivier Familie Trust (IT1990:2004) in Carnarvon was purchased in line with the Provision of Land and Assistance Act, Act 126 of 1993, using the Proactive Land Acquisition policy (PLAP) on 13 January 2023.

b) The comparative market values and prices of the farms that were sold in the Carnavon area between 2014 and 2023 are reflected in Annexure A: Comparable Market Values and Prices.

c) The indicators that the farm was bought within the realistic market value are based on the value determined by the Office of the Valuer-General in terms of the Property Valuation Act 17 of 2014 (PVA) of 2014:

The OVG price determination table:

Property description

Portion 2 of Farm Fortuins Kolk 37, Carnarvon RD

Land use

Grazing and irrigated land

Extent

3509.2669 Ha

Carrying capacity

32ha/LSU

Water sources

Boreholes and dams

Fixed improvements sizes

±695 m² in total

Current use value

R4 057 818.38

Market value

R18 161 321.00

PVA value

R11 110 000.00

d) The agreed purchase price of R11 110 000.00 is based on the provisions of the Property Valuation Act 17 of 2014 (PVA) and PVA Regulations.

19 June 2023 - NW2188

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Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether considering the demonstrable challenges rural municipalities face in delivering essential services and the resulting drain on the agricultural sector, her department has any plans in place to prioritise and safeguard the agro-processing industry, that is a linchpin of economic growth and job creation, if not, does the non-existence of the plans not risk exacerbating economic inequalities; if so, what are the details of the safety-net provisions?

Reply:

Yes. The agro-processing industry is considered a priority in the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP), which is a social compact signed between government and industry in May 2022. The grounds for prioritising the agro-processing industry are as follows:

  • The agro-processing industry has the potential to stimulate and spur demand for raw materials from the agricultural industry through backward and forward linkages. Demand for raw materials creates output markets, with the potential to increase income for farmers. As a result, farmers are encouraged to bring fallow land into production, which in turn creates demand for raw material downstream and contributes to job creation upstream. The value-add and food processing mitigate post-harvest losses.
  • Whilst the AAMP is a sectoral plan, the contribution of government towards “competitive agricultural and agro-processing sectors, driving market-oriented and inclusive production to develop rural economies, ensures food-security, and create employment and entrepreneurial”, is articulated in the AAMP as follows:

Pillar-1: Resolving policy ambiguities and creating an investment-friendly climate:

Increase transformation of, and worker-ownership in agriculture, food and beverage value chains, actively support black-owned Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and women food processors and retailers by lowering barriers to entry.

Pillar-2: Creating enabling infrastructure:

A key challenge facing rural areas is the acute lack of economic infrastructure, both bulk and on-farm infrastructure. In mitigation, the President established an Investment and Infrastructure Office in the Presidency to coordinate and align the development of bulk infrastructure (electricity, water, rail, road, ports, etc.) by the three spheres of government. Accordingly, the Infrastructure Office has developed a 203-project pipeline, costed at R1.8 trillion. About 13 of these infrastructure projects are directly located within the agriculture and agro-processing space such as processing facilities, irrigation schemes and fresh produce markets. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has budgeted R2.15 billion to support and develop farmers with production inputs and on-farm infrastructure.

Pillar-3 Comprehensive support, development finance, and extension services:

Efficient and effective advisory technical services are critical to the development of agro-processing activities in rural areas. Accordingly, researchers recommend participatory approaches geared to assist producers and agro-processors to restore their natural resource base, increase agricultural production, productivity, and value-add and equally, ensure compliance with mandatory food manufacturing standards and regulations. DALRRD is currently strengthening extension and advisory machinery through retraining and resourcing of Agricultural Extension Practitioners (AEP). DALRRD and the Provincial Departments of Agriculture (PDA) have recruited more than 3 500 AEP as part of providing comprehensive support to producers and agro-processors. In total, the number of AEPs recruited will be 10 000. The move is expected to improve the ratio of AEPs to producers toward an acceptable standard.

Pillar-4: Ensuring food security, expanded production and employment creation:

The agricultural sector contributes about 2.8 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, when food manufacturing is taken into consideration, the sector’s contribution to GDP could be as high as 7 percent. Similarly, the agricultural sector employs about 888 000 people whilst the agro-processing industry employs 264 029 people. An increase in agricultural production through the utilization of land under the Traditional and Cultural Council will expand the raw material base required downstream for value-add. The AAMP estimates that a 10 percent increase in the utilisation of land under Traditional and Cultural Councils, which is equivalent to 481 380 hectares is expected to create 501 000 job opportunities. The number is higher when factoring downstream jobs.

Pillar-5: Market access - domestic and export:

Access to markets is the lifeblood of agribusinesses operating in rural areas. Infrastructure backlogs in rural towns entail high transaction costs for producers and agro-processors. On the domestic front, the National Treasury (NT) is implementing the 30% set-aside geared to ensure penetration of small and medium producers into State institutional markets. Moreover, various municipalities are investing resources to revamp and revitalise fresh produce markets. On the export side, the recently signed Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfTCA) provides opportunities for growth and development of rural economies. The AAMP underscores the importance of maintenance of the current global markets and sourcing new markets.

Pillar-6 Import replacement and expanded agro-processing exports:

Localization strategy is a critical pillar of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP). The thrust of localization efforts is to increase productivity while entrenching inclusive economic growth.

Programme

Intervention Plan

Rural industrial development

  • Identify and support smallholder farmers who have initiatives of industrialisation, such as goats and cattle massification; and
  • Formalise the rural agro processors for linkage with industry role players.

19 June 2023 - NW2048

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Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Given the notable migration of major agribusinesses from small towns due to declining municipal services, does her department perceive this as an opportunity to refocus resources towards fostering innovative, independent, and small-scale farming enterprises that could invigorate local economies and increase resilience against such service disruptions; if not, why is such a market-oriented strategy being overlooked; if so, what are the details of the strategic redirection?

Reply:

Yes. It is true that agribusiness migratory patterns result in unemployment and food insecurity for households that were directly benefiting from such establishments. It is also true that the opportunity should be seized to promote more self-employment within the sector. Of the nine objectives defined in the Agricultural and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP), five objectives as highlighted below aim to broadly address the concerns raised in this question:

  • Promote transformation in agriculture and agro-processing sectors;
  • Increase food security in South Africa;
  • Accelerate the opening of markets and better access conditions;
  • Enhance competitiveness and entrepreneurial opportunities through technological innovations, infrastructure development and digitalization; and
  • Create effective farmer support, agro-processing, food wholesale and retail incentives.

The work done through various committees is focused on developing integrated development plans to address and attain the broader strategic intent for inclusive economic growth.

19 June 2023 - NW2047

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Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether, given the imperative balance between economic development through mining activities and the preservation of land and agricultural viability in Mpumalanga, her department has accurate data indicating the extent of arable land compromised due to mining operations in the province; if not, does the absence of such data not point to a potential oversight in reconciling economic progress with sustainable land management; if so, what are the specific details on the land loss and its long-term implications for agriculture and rural development in the region?

Reply:

Yes. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has accurate data on the extent of loss of arable land due to mining in Mpumalanga. The information is based on recorded and considered applications lodged in terms of the Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act, 1970 (Act No. 70 of 1970). Based on analysis of applications reviewed for the 2020 and 2021 financial years, the extent of agricultural land in hectares lost to mining is as follows:

Year

Hectares lost to mining

2020

3 445,254

2021

2769.784

Total

6215,038

Agricultural activities in the form of cropping and grazing land for livestock facilitate food security and provision of rural community income. The loss of mentioned agricultural land impacts negatively on the growth of the agricultural sector.

The loss of agriculture land in the long-term is being mitigated by the introduction of the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Bill (PDALB) which promotes planning between the various affected sectors in a coherent and transparent manner, but specifically to safeguard arable land for continued food security without compromising each sector’s economic contribution i.e. by delineating high potential farming land.

19 June 2023 - NW2021

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What (a) has she found are the (i) detailed estimates and (ii) all important variables of the long-term damage of the KwaZulu-Natal floods on the sugar sector, (b) total number of farmers ceased operations and exited the market due to losses incurred in the floods, (c) is her department doing to help the specified farmers, (d) are the details of other crops that were affected by the KwaZulu-Natal floods and (e) actions have been taken to support the affected farmers?

Reply:

(a)(i) Please refer to Annexure A for damages in terms of livestock, crop and infrastructure. The losses recorded on livestock was R1 476 650,00, infrastructure was R165 325 422,00 and crop was R251 311 301,27 including sugarcane.

(ii) Long-term damages and or changes to the sector include reduction in the planting area due to hectares of land lost through soil erosion, which resulted in lower yields of sugar cane tonnage. Furthermore, there has been a lot of variation in the price per ton of cane sugar. However, the unrest that took place in KwaZulu-Natal also placed considerable strain on the industry. Currently, no shortage is envisaged but increased prices in sugar and its derivatives are one of the long-term effects that can be expected.

(b) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has not done an assessment on total number of farmers who lost operation and exited the market due to losses incurred in the floods nor has it received any report to that effect.

(c) DALRRD continues to issue early warning information and advisories as well as awareness to assist farmers with their preparedness plans.

(d) Reports attained showed that 1107 farmers incurred losses in grain, another 670 farmers had suffered losses in vegetable and horticulture production. There were also losses suffered by 482 livestock farmers for both small and large stock.

(e) During the 2022-2023 financial year, DALRRD allocated R30 million to support KwaZulu-Natal farmers with repairs of damaged infrastructure, fertilisers and seeds following the flood disaster. DALRRD further supported the provincial request for additional funds to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), however, the application was not successful as funding was depleted since priority was given to humanitarian and social relief.

19 June 2023 - NW2011

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What (a) progress has been made in facilitating the (i) aggregation and (ii) co-funding models and (b) time frames have been set in this regard?

Reply:

(a),(i) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) in collaboration with the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), implemented the National Red Meat Development Programme (NRMDP) from 2013. The NRMDP is a market aggregation facilitation programme that affords livestock developing farmers an opportunity to upscale their participation in the marketing of their livestock.

Farmers are capacitated on the various market channels, grading, classification, pricing and other formal market details. The programme supports household livestock farmers to develop the institutional capacity in rural areas through the establishment of custom feeding infrastructure and the facilitation of livestock auctions that empowers farmers to condition their animals using the aggregation model to make them ready for the market. The programme has benefited over 10 000 farmers to date.

Currently, DALRRD is working with its State-Owned Enterprises (SoEs) namely, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), NAMC and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) to finalize the legal tool that will enable the expansion of this programme.

As outlined in the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP), DALRRD through round table discussions with the sector key role players including the industry is developing production schemes that will also upscale aggregation models. The engagements are at advance stages on prioritised production schemes like red meat, cotton and citrus.

(a),(ii) DALRRD is implementing the Blended Finance Scheme (BFS) as a co-funding instrument between government and the private sector. It should be noted that the Department is currently working with both the Land bank and the Industrial Development Cooperation. It is envisaged, as negotiations are unfolding that most if not all commercial banks will participate in the scheme, thus freeing some resources to be used in the development of small-scale producers.

(b) These programmes are already being implemented.

19 June 2023 - NW1824

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What are the relevant details of funding provided by her department to private companies that are responsible for supporting emerging farmers with technical support for each commodity and in each province throughout the Republic in the past 10 financial years; (2) whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with a detailed report on the progress made through such support for each (a) farm, (b) commodity and (c) specified financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. None. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development did not in the last 10 years [2013-2023], provide funding to private companies that were responsible for technical support to emerging farmers either in terms of the Recapitalisation and Development Programme (RADP) or the current Land Development Support (LDS) Programme. Currently, the Department has a partnership with commodity organisations registered with the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) and collects levies in accordance with Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, No. 47 of 1996.

2. No, since no funding support was provided to private companies as indicated above.

(a),(b)(c) Falls away.

19 June 2023 - NW1822

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether she will provide a standard protocol for the maintenance of agricultural colleges in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether she has found that all colleges are adhering to the required standards and protocol; if not, what measures has she put in place to impose compliance; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether there have been colleges that were given notices for not complying with the required standards; if not, why not; if so, which colleges?

Reply:

1. No. The day-to-day management of Colleges of Agriculture is currently with the Provincial Departments of Agriculture.

2. Falls away.

3. Falls away.

19 June 2023 - NW1760

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What (a) total number of transactions were approved by the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa in each (i) province and (ii) district for the blended finance programme in the past three financial years and (b) commodities are being approved and at what costs for each transaction?

Reply:

The Black Producers Commercialisation Programme (BPCP) pilot phase was launched in November 2018. The programme was suspended by April 2019 to undertake a review and assessment of the model. No approvals were recorded during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 financial years. The Blended Finance Scheme (BFS) was re-launched in October 2022.

(a)(i),(ii),(b) 2022-2023 financial year - implementation period: November 2022 to 31 March 2023

Client Name

Province

Districts

Commodities

Number of Client Approvals

Total Approvals

(Loan and Grant)

Sefale Letsitsa

Free State

Lejweleputswa

Grains and Livestock

1

R7 130 400

Ntethe Farming CC

 

Thabo Mofutsanyana

Grains, Beans and Livestock

1

R19 998 307

Mandla Simon Mahlangu

Gauteng

Tshwane

Grains and Livestock

3

R1 402 300

Simphiwe Gift Mashiyana

       

R467 408

Sen-thaba Agriculture and Projects (Pty) Ltd

       

R1 340 208

Shakazi Farming

KwaZulu- Natal

uMgungundlovu

Sugarcane

2

R5 150 000

Kalajan Investments (Pty) Ltd

 

iLembe

   

R8 923 920

Lemo David Chaba

Limpopo

Capricorn

Livestock

2

R784 683

Motitoane Mabena

 

Waterberg

   

R203 850

Avoxeni Farms CC

Mpumalanga

Gert Sibande

Grains and Livestock

1

R5 325 420

Sibusisiwe Sugar Estate (Pty) Ltd

 

Ehlanzeni

Sugarcane

1

R39 806 692

Baleti Estate (Pty) Ltd

   

Nuts and Avocados

1

R26 261 121

Andre Smith

Northern Cape

ZF Mgcawu

Livestock

 

8

R415 571

Coenraad Van Wyk

       

R389 391

Danie Farmer

       

R406 168

Fritz Du Plessis

       

R10 141 591

Jakob Bok

       

R1 183 578

Jannie J Van Der Westhuizen

       

R13 226 906

Myra Jo-Ann Bezuidenhout

       

R3 274 070

Smith Boerdery Trust

       

R3 563 006

BL Smith Boerdery CC

   

Livestock

Raisins

Pecan nuts

Lucerne

2

R11 895 360

Wathita Abafazi in Farming (Pty) Ltd

       

R12 627 166

Eilerd Driving and Training Academy CC

 

Frances Baard

Livestock

1

R8 959 595

Kalahari Lankgewacht Investments (Pty) Ltd

   

Livestock and Pecan nuts

1

R6 313 073

Andries Farmer

 

Namakwa

Livestock

2

R3 839 002

Elsies Vlak (Pty) Ltd

       

R1 169 238

Samuel Ivan Visser

 

Pixley Ka Seme

Livestock

1

R913 508

Dithabo Projects and Other (Pty) Ltd

North West

Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District

Livestock

2

R3 077 304

Loago Boerdery (Pty) Ltd

       

R1 877 029

Eben Hazer Boerdery (Pty) Ltd

Western Cape

Cape Winelands

Table Grapes

1

R55 361 600

Total Approvals and Disbursements (Loan and Grant)

30

R255 427 466

Reporting period: 1 April 2023 to 15 May 2023

Client Name

Province

Districts

Commodities

Number of Client Approvals

Total Approvals (Loan and Grant)

Bokamoso Boatlegile Farming (Pty) Ltd

Free State

Mangaung

Grains and Livestock

1

R15 671 865

Sebolelo Miriam Khoabane

 

Lejweleputswa

Grains and Livestock

1

R2 809 881

Setjhoka Farming (Pty) Ltd

Gauteng

Tshwane

Grains and Livestock

2

R1 402 008

Kholekile Marinkie Ntuli

       

R519 208

Simphiwe Gift Mashiyana

     

0

R0

Mirror Ball Investments 128 (Pty) Ltd

Kwazulu Natal

uThukela

Vegetables

1

R5 913 024

Kalajan Investments (Pty) Ltd

 

iLembe

Sugarcane

0

R0

PJ Snyders

Northern Cape

ZF Mgcawu

Livestock

1

R1 031 882

PA Dorper Boerdery (Pty) Ltd

   

Livestock

Raisins

Pecan nuts

Lucerne

1

R15 064 794

Myra Jo-Ann Bezuidenhout

   

Livestock

0

R0

Billy Rodney Kotze

 

John Taolo Gaetsewe

Livestock

1

R9 248 565

Dithabo Projects and Other (Pty) Ltd

North West

Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati

Livestock

0

R0

Crispy Crop (Pty) Ltd

Western Cape

West Coast

Vegetables

1

R7 856 400

Total Approvals and Disbursements (Loan and Grant)

9

R59 517 627

19 June 2023 - NW1688

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Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether she will furnish Mr M Bagraim with a comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation of (a) her department and (b) every entity reporting to her in terms of the percentages allocated to (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of the set-aside policy of the Government in fostering an inclusive and diverse economic landscape (details furnished) in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023?

Reply:

(a),(b)(i),(ii),(iii),(iv)(aa),(bb) Please refer to the table below.

(i) SMME

(ii) Cooperative

(iii) Township Enterprises

(iv) Rural Enterprises

(a) Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD)

(aa) 2021/22 Financial Year (FY)

0% The Department did not set procurement allocations (targets).

(bb) Since 1 April 2023

0%: The 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations (including Regulation 4: prequalification criteria/ set-aside) were successfully challenged in court and replaced by the Preferential Procurement Regulation 2022 which is currently in force. Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable.

In view of the above, since April 2023 the Department does not apply the pre-qualification criteria/set-aside in line with the 2022 Regulations issued by National Treasury.

(i) SMME

(ii) Cooperative

(iii) Township Enterprises

(iv) Rural Enterprises

(b) Deeds Registration Trading Account

(aa) 2021/22 FY

0% The entity did not set procurement allocations (targets).

(bb) Since 1 April 2023

0%: The 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations (including Regulation 4: prequalification criteria/ set-aside) were successfully challenged in court and replaced by the Preferential Procurement Regulation 2022 which is currently in force. Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable.

In view of the above, since April 2023 the Department does not apply the pre-qualification criteria/set-aside in line with the 2022 Regulations issued by National Treasury.

(b) Commission on Restitution of Land Rights

(aa) 2021/22 FY

89%

0%

1.27%

76%

(bb) Since 1 April 2023

70.69%

0%

0%

1.21%

(b) Office of the Valuer General

(aa) 2021/22 FY

84.77%

0%

0%

0%

(bb) Since 1 April 2023

16.5%

0%

0%

0%

(b) Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB)

(aa) 2021/22 FY

0% ITB did not set procurement allocation targets.

(bb) Since 1 April 2023

0%: The 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations (including Regulation 4: prequalification criteria/ set-aside) were successfully challenged in court and replaced by the Preferential Procurement Regulation 2022 which is currently in force. Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable.

In view of the above, since April 2023 the Department does not apply the pre-qualification criteria/set-aside in line with the 2022 Regulations issued by National Treasury.

(b) National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)

(aa) 2021/22 FY

0% NAMC did not set procurement allocation (targets).

(bb) Since 1 April 2023

0%: The 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations (including Regulation 4: prequalification criteria/ set-aside) were successfully challenged in court and replaced by the Preferential Procurement Regulation 2022 which is currently in force. Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable.

In view of the above, since April 2023 the Department does not apply the pre-qualification criteria/set-aside in line with the 2022 Regulations issued by National Treasury.

(b) Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

(aa) 2021/22 FY

0%: ARC did not set procurement allocation targets.

(bb) Since 1 April 2023

0%: The new Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022 that came into effect from 16 January 2023 compels government institutions to evaluate bids based on specific Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) objectives. Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable.

(b) Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB)

(aa) 2021/22 FY

30%

0%

0%

0%

(bb) Since 1 April 2023

20%

0%

0%

0%

(b) Onderstepoort Biological Product (OBP)

(aa) 2022/23 FY

OBP currently only tracks 2 parameters with respect to procurement and based on the BBBEE Framework, i.e., (i) Black owned companies; and (ii) woman owned companies. OBP only approved the enterprise supplier development policy in Quarter-4 of 2022/2023. For the financial year 2022/2023, 45% Black owned businesses and 15% women owned businesses.”

(bb) Since 1 April 2023

0%: Effective 16 January 2022 Regulation 4 (Pre-qualification criteria) of the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 is no longer applicable and was replaced by the Preferential Procurement Regulation 2022 which is currently in force. In view of the above, since April 2023 the OBP does not apply the pre-qualification criteria/set-aside in line with the 2022 Regulations issued by National Treasury.

19 June 2023 - NW1511

Profile picture: Masipa, Mr NP

Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(1) With reference to her reply to question 14 on 8 March 2023, what are the relevant details of the (a) production level on the farm with regard to citrus in terms of the (i) size in hectare that was under production and (ii) tons produced and (b) revenue generated during the past 10 years before being transferred by her department to the new beneficiaries. (2) what are the details of the (a)(i) livestock that was kept on the farm and (ii) revenue generated from the livestock during the past 10 years before being transferred to the new beneficiaries and (b) number of (i) permanent and (ii) seasonal workers who lost their jobs?

Reply:

1. (a) The details of production levels on the farm with regard to citrus are as follows:

  1. Size in hectares under production: 309 hectares.
  2. An estimated total of 130 000 cartons of citrus were harvested in 2014/15 for export market.

(b) The Department does not have records relating to revenue generated during the 10 years before being transferred to the beneficiaries.

2. (a) (i) The details of livestock that was kept on the farm are limited to the following:

  • 50 heifers and 2 bulls that were received from the Industrial Development Cooperation Nguni scheme. The remaining portions of the grazing land are leased out.
  • (II)The Department does not have records relating to revenue generated during the 10 years before being transferred to the beneficiaries.

(b) (i) 188 permanent workers lost their jobs.

(ii) Between 400 to 600 seasonal workers lost their jobs.

19 June 2023 - NW2353

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Myburgh, Mr NG to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What number of (a) staff are employed in each Provincial Heritage Resource Authority and (b) vacancies exist in each province?

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development does not have Provincial Heritage Resource Authority unit within its approved organisational structure.

(a),(b) Falls away.

01 June 2023 - NW1720

Profile picture: Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN

Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(a) In what way has she found the delay in handing over the promised assistance in the form of fertilizer and/or funding to small-scale farmers in need of assistance impacts the specified farmers and (b) what number of small-scale farmers were scheduled to benefit from the R99 million?

Reply:

a) The delay could have negatively impacted on the timing for fertilization in some of the areas. However, farmers still could fertilise daily after the fertilizer was handed over.

b) The distribution of 116 415 bags of fertilizer will benefit 10 679 Small Scale Growers (SSGs) on 23 283 hectares of land. To date 103 451 bags of fertilizer were distributed to 6288 SSGs, applied to 13 803,55 hectares of land.

31 May 2023 - NW1629

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether she engaged the (a) Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and (b) Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) as well as Industry, including the National Animal Health Forum, and instructed that measures be put in place to ensure continuity in vaccine production and availability; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) whether she advised that there should be closer collaboration between the ARC’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Research and OBP; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of the outcomes of those engagements, including the total amount of vaccines produced after the engagement compared to past production? NW1870E

Reply:

(1)(a),(b) Yes. The Minister engaged both the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) as well as Industry, including the National Animal Health Forum and instructed that measures be put in place to ensure continuity in vaccine production and availability. The Minister further advised that there should be closer collaboration between the Agricultural Research Council’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Research and OBP.

2. Yes. ARC and OBP have an established collaboration governed by a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). This MoA covers collaboration in the areas of:

  • Research, technology transfer and any possible joint ventures between the two entities;
  • Vaccine development and information and technical advice;
  • Consultancy, diagnostic and analysis services;
  • Commercialisation, training, and advisory services; and
  • Human capital development and physical infrastructure sharing.

The ARC and the OBP also collaborate in the production of blood vaccines. The ARC produces blood vaccines that are bottled and marketed by OBP. The full list of vaccines produced by the ARC for OBP is African Red Water vaccine; Asiatic Red Water; Anaplasmosis vaccine; and Heartwater vaccines.

31 May 2023 - NW1987

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Considering that it seems clear that sooner or later the Republic will experience a grid collapse that will create serious problems for the agricultural sector, which is already struggling due to the continued load shedding, (a) what (i) contingency plans has her department put in place to deal with the current load shedding crisis and (ii) informed such plans and (b) which stakeholders in the specified sector have contributed to such measures?

Reply:

a) (i) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development established a Sector Energy Crisis Task Team comprised of government, industry, research institutions and sector entities. The work of the Task Team, engaging with Eskom looked at immediate, short and long term contingency plans to protect the sector against the negative impact of load shedding. The interventions will cover the sector at large including all categories of farmers. The interventions are also being aligned to the pronouncements delivered by the Minister of Finance during his budget speech statement.

The proposed interventions are:

  • Customers with dedicated supply infrastructure should apply for load curtailment.
  • Customers supplied by the same feeder/ substation can group together and apply for load curtailment.
  • Review the schedule (duration and or time) where possible, to accommodate the needs of majority of customers (the criteria will be based on impact/number of commercial customers).
  • Customers in municipal supply area where switching is done by Eskom and where possible, to exempt/curtail, municipalities to be allowed to do own switching to accommodate customers.
  • Reconfigure the network to allow possible isolation where possible.
  • Install micro grids, PV’s and battery containers for critical loads especially during critical times such as harvesting, irrigation and refrigeration- this will require customers to identify the essential load.

As announced during my Budget Speech, the Department is establishing the Agro-Energy Fund at the Land Bank. This is a blended finance instrument where the state will provide a grant on a sliding scale per producer category combined with a loan from the Land Bank.

The focus of the Agro-Energy Fund is on energy intensive agricultural activities. These include irrigation, intensive agricultural production systems, and on-farm cold chain related activities. The blended thresholds and caps per category of producer are as follows:

  • a large-scale producer will receive 30% grant funding to be matched with a 70% loan portion, where the grant amount is capped at the maximum of R1.5 million;
  • a medium-scale producer will receive a 50% grant to be matched with a 50% loan portion, where the grant is capped at the maximum of R1 million; and
  • a smallholder producer will be supported by a grant portion of 70% to be matched with a 30% loan. For this category, the maximum grant funding is capped at the maximum of R500 000.

Table 1: Grant Limits

Farmer Categorization

Large Scale Farmer

Medium Scale Farmer

Small Scale Farmer

Turnover

>R10m <R50m

>R1m-R10m

>R50k -R1m

% Grant of the Cost (valid Quotation)

30%

50%

70%

Land Bank Loan Component

70%

50%

30%

Grant Caps

R1.5m

R1m

R500 000

(ii) The Grant caps will be according to Table 1 above; however, the cost of the infrastructure needed by the farmer will be informed by the farmer’s farm energy requirement assessment based on the kilowatts. The pre-assessment by a competent expert registered with the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) will be key so that the correct fit for purpose system is installed.

The Blended Agro-Energy facility will be used by qualifying producers for the purchase of capital equipment and infrastructure (CAPEX) for alternative energy sources directly linked to energy-intensive farming operations.

Table 2: Common high energy consuming activities at the farm level

Dairy Farming

Piggery

Poultry

Field Cropping

Horticulture including (Greenhouse)

Milk cooling machinery

Heating

Lighting

Cold Storage

Cold Storage

Lighting

Ventilation

Feeding machinery

Tilling

Irrigation

Milking machinery

Lighting

Ventilation

Irrigation

Ventilation

Feeding machinery

Feeding machinery

Heating

 

Lighting

NB: the list is not exhaustive

b) DALRRD consulted sector stakeholders and continues to do so. The stakeholders consulted include the CEOs of industry, commodity organisations, research fraternity, farmers organisations and government entities including Eskom.

31 May 2023 - NW1785

Profile picture: Matiase, Mr NS

Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What are the relevant details of land reform programmes that she has undertaken recently to (a) increase the current levels of agricultural production and (b) alleviate poverty in rural areas through agriculture?

Reply:

(a),(b) The Department is implementing a three-pronged land reform programme. These are:

  • Land Redistribution using the Provision of Land and Assistance Act, Act 126 of 1993. To give effect to this Act, the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy and the Beneficiary Selection and Land Allocation policy are implemented to acquire and redistribute land;
  • Land Tenure Reform programme implemented under the Extension of Security of Tenure Act, Act 62 of 1997 (ESTA); and
  • Land Restitution programme implemented by the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights using the Restitution of Land Rights Act, Act 22 of 1994.

These land reform programmes are supported by various agrarian reform instruments to address both the financial and technical support for different categories of producers to maintain and improve agricultural productivity and poverty alleviation. These instruments are as follows:

  • 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 farms with infrastructure; farm machinery and equipment, production development/inputs, and technical support including mentorship provided through commodity organisations;
  • Blended Finance Scheme which supports the commercialisation process;
  • SA-GAP Certification Programme which assists farmers to meet minimum food safety and quality requirements and thus eases access to markets;
  • 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;
  • In our endeavour to reduce the ratio between farmers and extension officers for more extension and advisory services to farmers, the Department continues to recruit extension personnel. Over 4 500 Assistant Agricultural Practitioners were recruited to provide technical support to farmers;
  • Skills assessment and mitigation strategy is implemented to attain sustainable growth and equitable participation in the sector. As part of the 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 optimize 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 a 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; and
  • National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) Programme targeting unemployed rural youth for skills and capacity building for sustainable opportunities in the agricultural sector.

31 May 2023 - NW1630

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

With reference to her reply to question 142 on 23 March 2022, what total number of African horse sickness vaccines (a) were produced between January 2022 and February 2023 as promised by her and (b) are currently in stock; (2) whether the specified stock is sufficient for the next vaccination cycle; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether Onderstepoort Biological Products is prepared to supply the necessary attenuated strains and serotypes to a private production entity to further develop alternative production as quickly as possible; if not, (a) why not and (b) how does she intend to solve the shortage of vaccines challenges; if so, by what date does she envisage this will happen?

Reply:

(1)(a) 49000 doses of the African Horse Sickness (AHS) vaccine were produced by Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) between January 2022 and March 2023.

b) As of 17 May 2023, 15000 doses of the AHS vaccine are available in stock at OBP, with more vaccine doses still in quality check test.

2. No. The current available AHS doses are not sufficient for the next vaccination cycle. However, OBP is working diligently enough in preparation for making sufficient vaccines available for the upcoming vaccination season.

3. OBP is not prepared to supply its attenuated strains and serotypes to a private production entity for further development.

a) OBP’s attenuated strains and serotypes are intellectual property and a tangible asset for the OBP, the juristic person.

b) A plan/strategy to resolve shortages is currently being worked on by the OBP and will remain a priority for the entity. The objective is to ensure that vaccines are always available during vaccination season.

31 May 2023 - NW1572

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Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What is the status at the Ingonyama Trust regarding longterm leases applications dating back to 2021 which have not been responded to?

Reply:

There are only 11 residential lease applications that were received since 2021, where responses have not been sent to the applicants. These applications were put on hold because of ongoing litigation regarding residential leases.

22 May 2023 - NW1739

Profile picture: Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN

Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether the money used in respect of the more than R99 million worth of fertilizer that was due to be handed over at an event in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, will be considered as wasteful expenditure since the event was cancelled; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

No. There was no wasteful expenditure as the event was not cancelled, but postponed to the following week. More than 116 415 bags of 50kg each were already distributed and used by the small-scale growers.

22 May 2023 - NW1477

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether the concerns that were raised by the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development regarding the legitimacy of the ITB Holding company and its standing to undertake and/or perform business activities and transactions have been raised with the King of the Zulu nation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

No, This will be raised with the Chair of the ITB for further processing with the realm of the KwaZulu-Natal Ingonyama Trust Amendment Act, No. 9 of 1997.

19 May 2023 - NW1385

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Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether Schedule 1 of the Meat Safety Act, Act 40 of 2000, which states that the specified Act also applies to all other species of animals not mentioned above, including birds, fish and reptiles that may be slaughtered as food for human and animal consumption, also includes lions and leopards; if not, why not; if so, what has she found to be the reasons of listing animals in Schedule 1, but then stating that in fact the meat safety Act applies to all species of animals?

Reply:

Yes, the schedule includes animals that may be listed as threatened species in accordance with conservation provisions, and therefore, their slaughter for human and animal consumption must be in line with the relevant conservation provisions and this covers lions and leopards. See attached draft amendment and the clarificatory notice.

The Schedule that Honourable Winkler is referring to was a draft amendment to the current Schedule 1, which was gazetted for public consultation. The process was not concluded due to a need to conduct further consultations and possible investigations before amending the Schedule.

19 May 2023 - NW1339

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What measures has the Government put in place to minimise the introduction of invasive animal species within the agricultural food chain, which is part of the risks to animal biosecurity safety and threatens the health of domestic animals, wildlife, and humans?

Reply:

The control of invasive animal species primarily resides under the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development will only get involved if such animals pose an animal health risk. The Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act No. 40 of 2000) only applies to animals listed under schedule 1 of the Act, and therefore animals that are not listed under the schedule, including invasive animal species, are not covered under the laws administered by DALRRD, and therefore the meat thereof cannot enter the commercial food chain.