Honourable Speaker
Honourable Premier, Mr Cassel Mathale in absentia
Members of the Executive Council
Honourable Members of the house
Digosi/Mahosi/Tihosi
Veterans of our struggle
Representatives of Farmers Unions and commodity groups
Agribusiness partners
Members of the media fraternity
Ladies and gentlemen
We gather here today very fresh from the memories of heroic deeds by the fathers of our struggle. Twenty years ago, Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela stepped out of prison with a fist lifted up high signalling the beginning of greater things. Twenty years ago we started a journey of empowerment and realising the fruits of our Freedom Charter. Today, we can live and work everywhere; we can reclaim and plough anywhere. All thanks to the forefathers of our struggle, of whom some are here in this house today.
However whilst we celebrate this important milestone in the calendar of our history, it is critical to emphasize that it is not yet Uhuru, this is the beginning of a long journey towards the transformation agenda of the ruling party the African National Congress (ANC). We can therefore safely sing, “Inzima lendlhela ine meva I yahlava, si zo zabalaza. (Indeed it is a long journey needing all of us to join forces in the fight against poverty, hunger, disease and joblessness).
Policy Issues
Honourable Speaker, our department, supports the call by the National Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Honourable Tina Joemat-Petterson to review polices and legislation within the sector, to make sure that they are able to respond to the mandate of the current government, and therefore repeal outdated legislation and amend policies that are irrelevant to the current development and transformation agenda of the ruling party. The department has already kick started the review of legislation and policies that are the competency of the provincial government.
In this regard we have already embarked on a consultative process with agricultural unions, commodity groups and traditional leadership on how best, the department can work with them to achieve the common objective of growing the sector and make a contribution to the economy of the country.
On this front, we held our first Agric-Indaba on 6 February this year, in pursuit of food security and rural development. The indaba has assisted us in developing an all inclusive provincial sector monitoring and advisory structure that will make inputs to the department on current and future areas of operation. This structure will ensure that we focus our attention in strategic programs to achieve our objectives, in line with our slogan of moving from farming to Agricultural industrial development.
Honourable Speaker, as a department, we are also guided by the ANC’s election manifesto, which pronounced the focus on rural development, food security and land reform” In the light of this, we will soon convene a provincial farm workers summit which will bring together farm worker and farmers from all over the province. This year’s farm workers summit will be about consulting, crystallising and concretising a joint program.
Next year will be about reporting what the government shall have done to respond to the issues raised in the summit. The provincial summits will culminate in a nationally convened farm workers summit later this year. A due process leading to this has seen us meeting with organised farmers unions and other representatives, and last week we met with National African Farmers' Union (NAFU), Transvaal Agricultural Union (TAU) and Agri-SA to forge these relations.
Working together with these unions and other stakeholders, the department will lead a popular campaign in the increase of food production, rural development and creation of descent jobs. In due time, when we shall have met everyone to build strong relationships for the future of farming in our province, the campaign will be formally launched not later than November 2010.
You will recall Honourable Speaker that the democratic government of our country is rooted among the masses, it takes its cue from the masses, it accounts to the people and acts in the interest of the people. Therefore it is no coincidence that rural development, food security and creation of jobs are high on the agenda of this administration. In the 2010/11 budget vote we shall report on the progress made in this regard.
Honourable Speaker, when we talk about issues of food security, we are saying, the department must ensure that food is accessible, available and affordable to all. Food prices volatility aggravates the vulnerability of the poor in our country. Organised institutions such as, Agri-SA, NAFU and TAU agree with us on this one.
Honourable Speaker, We are conscious of the developmental challenges and the priorities this government is facing. Although there can never be enough, our department’s budget will focus on various elements which are the key area such as; rural development, food security and job creation.
Administration
Access through preferential procurement
We are on course in implementing government preferential goals through procurement of goods and services. During the current period ending 31 January 2010, the department was able to achieve 63.4 percent in promoting equities owned by blacks, 5.5 percent for people living with disabilities, 33 percent to equities owned by women as well as 32.6 percent to equities owned by youth. Our department has further conducted two training sessions with regard to SMME development.
The department has also started with the implementation of 2010/11 procurement plans by developing specifications and adjudication of bids. In line with the call by Minister of Finance Mr Pravin Gordan and our Premier Mr Cassel Mathale, in this financial year, the department will source goods directly from the supplier in order to further reduce costs emanating from fees charged by the middleman. We therefore like to encourage our entrepreneurs to seriously consider participating in the manufacturing and production value chain. This will ensure that historically disadvantaged farmers play a meaningful role in the economy.
Organisation and staffing
Honourable Speaker our department has consistently reduced excess staff over a period of time. The numbers are down from 1348 in 2004 to 38 last year. I am pleased to inform this house that we have continued to reduce this number to eight at this moment.
The department is currently reviewing the organisational structure to align with the new mandate that will include the forestry function. As part of the five priorities of the current administration, the department is on track in factoring the issues of rural development in its organisational, operational and functional alignment.
Building human capacity development
Since the inception of the bursary scheme in 2003, a total of 70 graduates have benefited from this scheme and have come back to the department to address the skills gaps in the Department and the sector. In the last financial year R6,2 Million was budgeted for new and existing bursars made up of staff and external students to pursue studies in scarce fields relevant for addressing the skills shortages. A total of 12 students are pursuing studies in veterinary science and tea production studies in Kenya. Other students are pursuing masters’ degrees, one each in the Australia, United States of America, Japan and the Netherlands.
The department is providing opportunities to unemployed graduate to be exposed on practical work experience in the public service. In the last financial year 251 interns were placed in various fields, 24 were able to find employment in the public and private sector before the end of the internship period. This financial year another 251 interns will be placed in the department as from 1 April 2010. This program provides practical skills and confidence building among the interns.
Towards e-agriculture and information society
The e-agriculture project which is run from our department, feeds into the Finnish funded inspire programme to promote an information society. Through the e-agriculture project, 215 farmers and 16 extension officers were trained on basic ICT skills. Our desire is to ensure that farmers access information quicker, easier without having to rely only on extension officers. We have installed digital doorways, currently located in the three districts, Mopani, Sekhukhune and Capricorn. The digital Doorways are computer based machines built for communities, which provides internet access to farmers.
Honourable Speaker, we will during this financial year unveil a comprehensive communication and Customer care strategy. This will ensure that our farmers access us and other services through the internet, cellphone bulk SMS messaging and other means. Our extension officers should be able to tell farmers not to irrigate today because it will rain tomorrow. This is possible because we live in an era of Information high-way technology, the twenty first century.
An amount of R6 Million has been budgeted for the installation of the extension based information systems that will enable extension officers to provide relevant and accurate information to farmers instantly.
Irrigation for food and growth
Irrigation for food and growth under the RESIS programme will benefit 423 farmers from the completed 542 hectares of irrigation infrastructure in the four irrigation schemes below the Flag Boshielo dam. Here we talk about Phetwane, Mogalatjane, Krokodilheuwel and Setlaboswana. The first potato crop was harvested from Krodilheuwel during December 2009, with profit to the farmers of just a little under two million rands.
While the farmers at Krodilheuwel have realized a notable profit in the first season of production these profits have not been distributed due to member’s conflicts over governance issues. The revitalisation program has created 250 jobs and at least 450 seasonal jobs during peak periods. These potatoes have found their way to the crispy chips market at Simba South Africa plants. Potatoes have again been planted in all the four schemes meanwhile Krokodil is under maize.
Bulk water supply to the Lower Lepelle canal progressed to 90 percent at the end of February 2010; this includes repairs to the Badfontein weir, and replacing the first two kilometres of the canal from the weir with a pipeline. When all this is done the last two kilometres of the canal repairs will be done in the budget I am presenting this afternoon.
Infrastructure works that were delayed in 2008/09 financial years were completed in the 2009/10 financial year these include:
* 22 kilometres of Lower Lepelle canal repair
Dam safety repair works at Moddervlei and Mogoto dams were completed in July 2009.
In this financial year we shall proceed to empower rural communities where irrigation water allocation permit by developing 500 hectares of irrigation infrastructure under RESIS towards irrigation for food and growth ideal. The following schemes have been targeted for revitalisation in this financial year:
* Strydkraal/Mooiplaas irrigation scheme in Fetakgomo Municipality, an amount of R24 Million has been budgeted which will cover 300 ha of centre pivots. This amount will also cover electricity distribution on farms, installation of pumps and pipelines, soil conservation works, roads and land preparation
* R16 million has been budgeted for the Maraxwe irrigation scheme in the Thulamela Municipality, this amount also cover infield irrigation system.
* For Tshiombo irrigation scheme, also in the Thulamela Municipality, R5 million has been budgeted for the repair of a canal which will be repaired on piecemeal within the limits of the budget to supply water to the schemes along the canal
* On the Thabina scheme in Tzaneen Municipality, R5 million has been budgeted for 62ha infield irrigation system.
* At the Middle Letaba irrigation schemes in Giyani Municipality, R3 million has been given for repairs to pipe lines which will be done to conserve the limited waters. Works on bulk water supply systems will include:
* The Wonderboom section of the Lower Lepelle canal where a 2,4 km stretch of canal will be rehabilitated. This is the last piece of the canal to be repaired in the last three years
* Compulsory dam safety repairs will be done on Makuleke dam at (R4 million). Vandalism and community conflicts remain our challenge that affects both the prioritisation, rate of completion and overall cost of revitalisation.
Promotion of sustainable natural agricultural resources
Honourable Speaker, we are confronting the long term deterioration of natural resources and effect of climate change and I am pleased to report, that we have implemented multiyear area wide Landcare Projects such as Maruleng, Lepellane, Mogalakwena, Kutama-Sinthumule, Bolobedu, Mphahlele, Leolo, Moutse, Mutale-Nwanedi and Lekala, and these are some highlights of the achievements:
* 35,793 hectares were improved through conservation measures. 2,164 hectares were cleared of weeds and invasive alien plants, five earth dams were desilted for conserving water, 8,210 trees were planted at Greenside, Polokwane
* The implementation of appropriate on farm and off farm eco friendly conservation technologies (eco-technologies) in identified “war room” Municipalities of Fetakgomo, Makhuduthamaga and Blouberg is on course. This is benefitting communities and farmers in building resilience on vulnerability and reducing the impact of climate change. To date 1,513 beneficiaries have participated and adopted various innovations and approaches of these conservation technologies.
Honourable members will recall that Limpopo hosted the Biennial National Landcare Conference in July, 2009, in Polokwane. The theme of the conference was “Together caring for our land caring for our future”. The conference was attended by about 500 delegates from as far as Australia, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
The conference adopted resolutions which have made an input into the five year programme of action in the province. Fourteen Jobs through the Expanded Public Works Program during the 2009/10 financial year the department has created 4,543 work opportunities against a set target of 5,000 through the labour
intensive approach of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) with a budget of R111million. I am confident that by the end of this quarter the target would be surpassed. Limpopo Province was recognised as the best province throughout South Africa, because of its coordination of the Environment and culture sector during the national EPWP Kamoso awards. We are very proud of this achievement.
Land reform
Honourable Speaker, our ideal of comprehensive rural development linked to agrarian reform and food security gained momentum with the conclusion of a transaction to buy the remaining 25 percent shares in the two fruit processing facilities namely, Valley Farms Processing Co. and Netrac (Trading as Valley Drying) based in Levubu. This closed a chapter in the total acquisition to the value of R20, 5 million. The facilities produce fruit concentrates and dried fruit respectively for local and international markets. The seven communities in Levubu whose land was restored are both majority share holders and major suppliers of fruits to the processing plants.
Honourable Speaker in line with national and provincial imperatives to stamp out corruption from its roots, the department instituted forensic investigations into the two companies that were in strategic partnership with communities that are farming in the prime horticultural areas of Levubu (Makhado), Greater Tzaneen, Ba-Phalaborwa and Greater Giyani. A final report is expected by the end of this month and I am quite sure a number of heads are going to roll.
Despite the challenges of insufficient funding and partnerships that went wrong, the department is ever more committed to post settlement support for land reform projects. While the liquidation of South African Farm Management Services (SAFM) had left projects in the Levubu and Letsitele areas with serious financial and operational challenges, LDA did succeed in maintaining the farm operations and employment on these projects with the support and intimate involvement of affected communities, while agreements with creditors and financiers are being finalised.
Honourable Speaker, our department is on track in delivering on the promises we made regarding the irrigation and poultry houses development through the CASP program. Eleven irrigation infrastructure projects have been completed. The development of Youth projects remains the focus of CASP.
The department has invested R2.4 million in irrigation infrastructure at Phungo Agricultural Cooperative. This is where the young farmer of the year (Mr. Ndivhuwo Phungo) and others have become new-owners of the Palmietfontein farm in the Polokwane Municipality. Velen Rozen Workers Trust, also an LRAD farm in Lephalale Municipality received an investment of about R1 million.
The Rahlagane Table Grapes Project (also known as Moganyaka Youth project) is also worth mentioning. The project located in Ephraim Mogale Municipality had 10 hectares of land developed with trellising and netting infrastructure for production of grapes. The vines have already been planted and 40 casual jobs were created under the EPWP program. LDA has invested R4.5 million in developing the infrastructure and, preparations for the launching of this project are underway.
Even though the CASP funding does help in scratching the surface of the needs for land reform projects, there are good stories to tell about those who continue to invest their hard labour and meagre financial resources even as they wait in anticipation for the much needed intervention through CASP. Mrs Mathabatha of Ngwanaboko Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) project in Belabela challenged me during the Agri-Indaba last month when she said; “MEC etla Belabela o tle o bone gore basadi ba dira eng mo go tsa temo-thuo”. Mme Mathabatha indeed has a large heard of stock in the region of 80. She however fears to experience stock theft and possible straying of livestock to the national road due to a poor boundary fence.
Honourable Speaker, we will during 2010/11 continue to explore alternative funding sources and mechanisms to increased private sector investment for effective utilization of the asset base of land reform projects. Engagements with Anglo Platinum, two rivers and Maposh (a subsidiary of Highveld mine) mines are already underway. These partnerships will go a long way in closing the gap created by a backlog in support for land reform projects estimated at R259 million.
For the past six years, the Sapekoe Tea Estates (Middlekop and Grenshoek) were a sore sight for all who used to enjoy the aesthetic and undulating view of the well maintained tea carpet of Greater Tzaneen. In an effort to restore this lost glory, our intensive facilitation of peace and convergence within the Makgoba community has begun to bear fruits. Working together with Makgoba Community, The Greater Tzaneen Municipality, the RLCC and other partners, an agreement to resolve the differences was reached and signed two weeks ago amongst them. A program for the revitalisation and maintenance of the tea estates will be launched before the end of November 2010. R15 million has already been set aside for this exercise, which will create no less than 500 jobs.
The department is also engaged with international potential investors to explore possibilities of developing medicinal products through extraction technology in both Makgoba and Tshivhase tea Estates. Unless proven otherwise Honourable Speaker, we believe the project must succeed and thousands of jobs will be created as this will be the biggest venture in Africa and the World.
One of the biggest land claims in the Letsitele valley involving about 200 farming units will be settled and delivered to the Valoyi Community soon. In order to ensure a transition that will guard against job losses and deterioration of biological and physical assets, a detailed feasibility study that includes enterprise modelling will be conducted, thanks to the co-funding from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).
Service delivery to farmers
Honourable Speaker our department has to ensure that the quality and standard of the extension services is enhanced to a better performing agricultural sector. The Extension Recovery Plan (ERP) has been introduced nationally and implemented provincially to improve the working conditions of the agricultural officers, who are employed by the provincial department. Progress on ERP made to date:
* We have recruited 118 extension workers in specialised fields such horticulture, agronomy and animal production
* 111 officials have been awarded bursaries for upgrading of their educational qualifications with some specialisation
* We have provided 493 frontline officers with laptops.
The Farmers Green Book launched last year is currently under review to check on its effectiveness. We plead with farmers to assist us at this end.
To improve the professional ethos and image of the extension practice we are encouraging affiliation of the extension workers with renowned professional bodies/councils that regulates their professional behaviour and also provide license to practice. We have organised a province wide extension conference and recognition system attended by 400 extension technicians to exchange knowledge in the practice of extension. During the conference, held in February this year, we introduced the first MEC Extension Awards that are aimed at recognising the hard working officials who continue to go beyond the call of duty. I must make mention that one of the extension officers who won the award cried tears of joy, as he said it was the first time he is recognised since he started working for the department many years ago. On household food security and rural development we have also launched an intensive attack on poverty and household food security at all fronts.
At a household level, a total number of 1696 beneficiaries benefitted from the household food production programme that provided vegetable seeds and fertilisers for backyard gardens. Beyond the backyard, we have developed infrastructure on 24 micro enterprise projects by constructing poultry, broiler and piggery houses, storerooms, drilling and equipping of boreholes, and the installation of irrigation systems. A total of 311 beneficiaries were supported by this infrastructure. For the 2010/11 financial year, our department has budgeted R 16.6 million for the development of infrastructure in 40 micro-enterprise projects.
Honourable Speaker, our department has had long relationship with the government of Finland which supports rural development through Limpopo Agricultural Development Project (LADEP). So far 28 projects have been established and the majority of them are equipped with implements. LADEP has completed its term and I wish to thank the government of Finland for the support to our rural development efforts. The province has been on the spotlight since the announcement of Muyexe village in the Greater Giyani Municipality as a rural development national Pilot project.
In August last year the Comprehensive Rural Development Project (CRDP) was launched on the site, by the Honourable President Zuma. Lessons and successes of this pilot project are important to serve as guiding principles for the program rollout throughout the country.
Honourable Speaker, for Comprehensive Rural Development to take shape, agriculture will play its role to transform the rural areas in partnership with traditional leadership, Councillors and all other relevant stake holders. The department will be investing R32 million this financial year in the development of Nandoni, Nebo and Lepelle Nkumpi hubs which have potential for high impact on rural development. A further amount of R163 million is budgeted for the development of 55 projects in the rural villages. Through the people cantered development approach, we have revitalised women, school and community projects in support of rural development in Muyexe and we shall continue to develop proper institutional structures to steer the proposed developments.
We shall provide support to the development of micro infrastructure such as; irrigation, fencing, and production start-up. We shall provide 34km fencing for the identified agricultural arable lands and livestock grazing camps in Muyexe Village.
Disaster management
Veldfires and persistent droughts experienced in the province necessitated us to assist farmers to cope with these disasters. A livestock feed supply scheme costing R15 million was implemented, R3 million was used to repair and sink new boreholes for stock watering purposes and R10 million was made available by the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development for fencing of grazing in Muyexe and surrounding areas to the benefit of 29 841 livestock farmers. This assisted in reducing the impact of the drought on livestock. We are already establishing fodder-banks in all the districts so that help could arrive early to our farmers.
Honourable Speaker we still expect these adverse conditions to prevail and have therefore budgeted R11,340 million to support farmers distressed by drought and veld-fire disasters. We are continually encouraging farmers to reduce their stock to avert the worst due to drought.
Increasing production
Honourable Speaker, as part of promotion of indigenous livestock for better quality, the department in partnership with Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and University of Limpopo (UL) has delivered 134 animals worth R1 092 120 to farmers . For the 2010/11 financial year, the department will distribute 200 Nguni animals to 10 projects and farmers at cost of R1,8 million.
We have completed construction of an operations building and two equipped boreholes at Blouberg Integrated Livestock Enterprise Cooperative (BILEC). We are currently completing feedlot pens with a capacity to handle 500 animals. This will allow farmers to prepare their animals for the abattoir market and therefore negotiate for better prices.
We shall proceed to invest R2,7 million in constructing an 80,000 litre capacity water reservoir, 17 crush pens and improve grazing camps in support of this program. Blouberg farmers should use this investment to improve their livestock enterprises.
The 12 fish ponds at Turfloop fish breeding station are now in operation, and we have supplied 150,000 fingerlings to two fishery cooperatives. I am inviting our people to include fish in their diet as it is nutritious, healthy and thus supports our local cooperatives.
Promotion of healthy livestock and safe meat products, We can now safely say, we have kept at bay the internationally dreaded diseases that includes Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Swine Flu in our pigs, Avian Flu in our poultry and MAD cow disease because of constant surveillance. We have kept the required levels of surveillance and preventative control measures including dipping and vaccinations.
This financial year a budget of R10 million has been set aside for veterinary services, R6 million for animal vaccines and dipping chemicals plus R4.1 million to maintain and upgrade infrastructure.
One of our milestones on inclusivity is that the Veld Bull Clubs at
Mara and Toowoomba ADCs are the only two in the country where young beef bulls from emerging farmers are included to participate in the scheme along with commercial and stud farmers. This has greatly added value to their farming enterprises. This Honourable house will agree with me that we are systematically levelling the playing field.
Through the collaborative efforts with Prolinnova, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the University of Limpopo (UL), our researchers have helped Diphagane community Garden project to establish field trials on the use of locally made bio pesticide for pest control in vegetables with very promising results.
We are currently supporting the community of Makonde and Ha-Budeli Villages to process Marula fruits into jelly, juice and jam and I can tell you that the demand for Marula for processing now exceeds the supply. Both the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the University of Natal have identified these projects for a research initiative that will be looking at different methods of promoting Marula trees.
Honourable Speaker, for our department to grow in research capacity, we have recruited seven specialist researchers in various fields of agriculture. Our stations face challenges of backlog in physical facilities, maintenance and acquisition.
So far, we have completed construction of two houses at Mara research station, and renovated the other house in Toowoomba. We shall continue to build research infrastructure in order to improve our capacity for technological development, and to achieve this, we have budgeted R 3.9 million in this financial year.
This department has activated what we call the Departmental Geographic Information System (GIS) with 249 new projects captured and an updated database. This is part of an overall strategy to improve planning and monitoring capacity within government. We are currently mapping soil degradation, the disaster prone areas in the province, and the prime agricultural soils per municipality to guide decision making. We shall invest R1 million to enhance the capability of these systems to support research in precision farming. LADC
Honourable Speaker, I am pleased to inform the house that the name of the Agricultural and Rural Development Corporation (ARDC) was changed to be known as Limpopo Agribusiness Development Corporation (LADC) in terms of Section 7 (1) (a) of the Northern Transvaal Corporation Act, 1994 (Act No. 5 of 1994). The change of the name was published in the Provincial Gazette no. 1634. The new members of the board of directors have been appointed, and are in this house today.
The proposed new mandate of the LADC falls within the objectives of Limpopo Economic Development Enterprises Act (No 5 of 1994). The new objectives are:
* To serve as a planning unit for large and commercial rural and agricultural projects on behalf of the department
* Ensure the implementation of Agri -BEE in Limpopo.
* Lobby for agribusiness value chain investments in Limpopo.
* Provide technical support for large agricultural enterprises and ventures.
Honourable Speaker, we have succeeded under the former ARDC to complete the process of equipping the tea production, and our Midi tea is on the shelves of retailers such as, the Goseame Fresh produce markets and Pick and Pay. I trust that all the members of this house have started drinking this very uniquely tasty Limpopo tea. Last year members of the legislature and guests each received a sample of Midi tea, this year you will able to buy it outside in our farmers market were other products will be available for sale, please support the farmers and buy the products from this market.
In order to fund the LADC, new mandate including all operational cost, an amount of R14, 7million was budgeted. Grants designated for projects allocated to the LADC for the financial year 2010/11 amounts to R49, 46 million. The funds will be utilised to fund the new mandate of the corporation and complete the restructuring process of Venteco (Pty) Ltd t/a Tshivhase Tea Estates. Projects funded through the budget program of Limpopo Department of Agriculture includes the development of two Broiler houses, expansion of Mashashane Hatchery, upgrade of abattoir and upgrade of tea packing facilities. Funding required from LDA for projects linked to annual performance plan amounts to R33, 6 million.
One of the corporations targets is to enable the Tshivhase and Mukumbani Tea estates to become self sustainable in the financial year 2010/11.The success of the Tea Estates is crucial for agriculture in the province as in peak season the Tea Estates create in the region of 2500 jobs. After this, we should then be able to proceed to support the revitalization of Makgoba estate.
Madzivhandila and Tompi Seleka
Honourable Speaker, two years ago, the two Agricultural Training Centres (Tompi Seleka and Madzivhandila) completed the installation of infield irrigation systems to expose and train various farming communities. During 2009/10 financial year, the two training centres have trained 1523 famers from flagship projects, smallholder farmers, and individuals showing interest in agriculture. In response to the Presidential and Premier’s call to capacitate people of Muyexe Village, Madzivhandila Agricultural Training Centre hosted vegetable farmers for a full production cycle course on vegetable production recently.
About 1 220 farmers will be trained during 2010/11 and an amount of R 2.3 million is earmarked to support those training. Limpopo Agribusiness Development Academy Programme, Limpopo Agribusiness Development Academy (LADA), a capacity building wing of the department anchored within Tompi
Seleka and Madzivhandila colleges, is still geared towards enhancing agribusiness management capacity within the provincial agricultural sector.
In the 2009/10 financial year, 665 farmers and 71 officials were capacitated on agribusiness management. An agreement with IDC Nguni Trust was reached to implement a mentorship programme for emerging Nguni breeders within the Province. The programme supported the development of a financial planning tool and 40 officials were capacitated on application of the tool.
For the 2010/11 R15 million is budgeted to capacitate about 1000 emerging farmers and agric entrepreneurs from various targeted categories including the youth, women, commodity associations, farmer group’s, individual farmers and SMMEs within the province as well as the officials within the department.
The department greatly appreciates continued commitment expressed by the donor through Flanders International Corporation Agency (FICA) from the partnership forged with the Flemish government.
Honourable Speaker, I wish to applaud the following sons and daughters of our province who has worked tirelessly with us to transform the agricultural and won accolades for the sterling work that they are doing in the sector:
* Members of LAAF
* Mme Matilda Ramapela overall winner of the provincial female farmer of the year
* Mme Khensani Maswanganye the national winner of the household category in the national finals of the female farmer of the year
* Mr Ndivhuwo Phungo the overall winner of the young aspirant farmer of the year
* KPMG for offering financial advice to emerging farmer free of charge
* Mr Emmerich who assisted the Leshiba Land Claimants to get started
* Phalaborwa Mining Company (PMC)
* Mr Peter Tshikhudo, the son of the soil, one of the largest chicken producers in Southern Africa, but based near Rustenburg
* The staff of my department under the stewardship of the acting HOD Prof Edward Nesamvuni.
Honourable Speaker, as we enter the less than 100 days celebrations towards the FIFA World Cup Spectacular, we have been asked many times as to what role we will play as a department. It is obvious that the Department of Agriculture may not have a bigger role like other sector Departments.
Nevertheless I wish to state here today that our fruits, vegetables and other commodities will form part of the feeding of the nations of the world, not only in Limpopo, but throughout South Africa. Many a tourist, who has never seen a paw-paw, will marvel at the type of fruits and livestock we have, and that we call agri-tourism.
On his release 20 years ago, to be precise, on 11 February 1990, his first address to the nation in Cape Town, Tata Nelson Mandela stood up and said; “I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. You’re tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.”
Honourable Speaker, the budget for the Department of Agriculture for the 2010/11 financial year is R1, 376 billion. This year’s budget is divided amongst seven programmes as follows:
Programme 1: Administration: R237,096 million
Programme 2: Sustainable resource management: R127,672 million
Programme 3: Farmer support and development: R766,906 million
Programme 4: Veterinary services: R31,433 million
Programme 5: Technology research and development: R36,823 million
Programme 6: Agricultural economics: R120,174 million
Programme 7: Structured agricultural training: R55,821 million
This budget includes conditional grants payments of R172,743 million divided as follows:
* Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP): R144,567 million
* Land Care R8,176 million
* Letsema R20,000 million
The department will ensure that resources are utilised effectively, efficiently and economically to achieve our strategic objectives.
If we would be true to ourselves and reflect truly to the realities of the lives and sacrifices of our people, the issues of food security and revitalisation of farms that lie fallow will be as fresh as Nelson Mandela walking tall into the sunrise of our nation.
I thank you
Ndo Livhuwa
Thobela
I nkomu
Baie dankie
Source: Department of Agriculture, Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.lda.gov.za/)
