It is a great honour and a privilege to be afforded this opportunity to address this media conference since this new term of office marking the first 100 days of the Gauteng Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD).
The strategic objectives of this department are to:
- improve performance and competitiveness of Agriculture/Food industry in order to achieve quality food products for sale and food security for communities
- strengthen the social and economic infrastructure in the rural areas for sustainable rural communities; Promote animal health and welfare in order to protect the society from the effects of animal disease
- ensure sustainable use of environment.
The people of Gauteng have entrusted us with the responsibility to translate their hopes, dreams and aspirations into reality with speed, hence ‘Kuyasheshwa’. At the beginning of the term, we therefore identified key priority areas and set specific targets on what to do as part of the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) integrated programme of action over the next five years. These priorities are in-line with the African National Congress (ANC’s) election manifesto.
GDARD committed to do the following during the first 100 days to contribute to the GPG priorities:
The Gauteng Clean (anti-litter) and green strategic plan and launch of the campaign
The department has developed a comprehensive strategic plan on how we will clean and green Gauteng neighbourhoods, focusing on the 20 prioritised townships including informal settlements. The intention is to build cohesive, caring and sustainable communities through collective community efforts to stop littering and illegal dumping, and to keep the neighbourhoods clean and green by planting indigenous and fruit trees as well as food gardens for food security. This plan was approved by the Executive Council in August 2009.
This Gauteng Clean and Green Plan Campaign was successfully launched on 1 September 2009 by the Premier, the MEC and the Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Metro Council in Tembisa, to mark the spring and Arbor Day. This campaign has since been rolled out to other municipalities accompanied by izimbizo to create awareness, positive attitudes and mindsets amongst our people on the importance of clean and green environment for future generations.
The department has also started to contribute to the creation of decent jobs through the environment sector’s Expanded Public Works projects. To date, since June, 275 jobs have been created benefiting women, youth and people with disability in areas such as Londindalo in Lesedi, Dinokeng Metsweding, Bamba Manzi and Wonga Manzi in the West Rand as well as burning of firebreaks projects, Jukskei River clean-up in the City of Johannesburg.
Finalisation of the Gauteng air quality management plan
Population growth, changes in land use, increasing traffic volumes and built-up areas all contribute to ambient air quality degradation. In metropolitan areas such as the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality numerous informal settlements are typically closely located to industrial zones and busy roads, and in the case of Gauteng tailing dams. These informal settlements typically burn fossil fuels as sources of heat and cooking purposes, contributing in return to poor air quality.
The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural development has developed the first provincial air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) in South Africa. This is aimed at developing and implementing an air quality management plan for the Gauteng province.
The main aim of the AQMP for the province is to provide standards with clear clean air objectives and associated strategies to ensure improvement in the provincial ambient air quality and the maintenance thereof.
Finalisation of the Gauteng Environmental Implementation Plan (EIP)
The first Environmental Implementation Plan (EIP) for the Gauteng province was gazetted in 2002 and the province now wishes to gazette the second edition as the four year period has lapsed. The EIP identifies, interalia, policies, plans and programmes within each of the provincial and relevant national departments that could have significant impacts on the environment as well as commitments made by local authorities, provincial departments in Gauteng and three national departments with provincial offices in Gauteng that the affected departments have put into place to improve their environmental performance as well as the cooperative governance mechanisms to ensure integrated environmental management. The committee for environmental coordination has approved the EIP.
In view of this, the department will publish the Second Edition of the Environmental Implementation Plan in the Provincial Gazette.
Stimulation of agriculture, rural development and food security
The department remains committed to the stimulation of agricultural production with an aim to contribute to food security and poverty reduction, working together with households and communities as well as other departments and municipalities first. The provincial integrated food security strategy was developed by the department in consultation with all role players and was approved by the Executive Council in March 2009 and has been revised to be in line with the new mandate. It provides a framework on how to unlock the full potential of land, human and financial resources that can be used for agriculture in a sustainable manner. It also provides a comprehensive framework for sustainable food security for targeted groups of children, youth, women and people with disability to ensure that no one goes to bed hungry in Gauteng. This strategy will counter the challenge of current high food prices and economic down-turn.
The department has also developed a plan and targets on homesteads and community food gardens on vacant land working together with land owners and communities. Once the Executive Council has approved the revised integrated food security strategy and implementation plan, this will be rolled out to communities.
This plan involves launching established food production units involving 700 people during this financial year, organising market days, provision of technical advice to newly established homesteads and community and individual food gardens, including Letsema/Illima school food gardens.
I as the MEC together with the department have had the pleasure of visiting a number of existing community food gardens which are successful in spite of some challenges such as lack of water, need for markets etc.
Secondly, as part of promotion of food security as well as creating jobs and growing an inclusive economy, the department launched about 200 agriculture cooperatives from all over Gauteng, in August 2009. About 18 of these co-ops were also granted contracts by the Gauteng Shared Services Centre with GDARD, to provide fresh vegetables to the health and social development institutions for the next three years.
Thirdly, the department has revised its plans and targets for the emerging farmer’s development and support, ready to be approved by the Executive Council for implementation. The main challenge in Gauteng agriculture is land reform projects that do not yield the expected outcomes on productivity.
Emerging or small holding farmers at a community level will receive on request various forms of input support such as mass distribution of starter packs which includes seeds, tools and fertilizers, promotion of use of household waste water for irrigation, use of tanks to harvest water etc. The criteria set up in the indigent exit strategy will be used to support these small holding farmers.
Emerging farmers have identified lack of access to credit, and/or high interest rates as a major constraint to development of their farming initiatives into viable enterprises. The department will respond to their request for support for them to borrow as a collective to enhance their income earning capacities, through micro-credit schemes.
The department will continue to provide extension services to transfer technology to farmers for successful farming activities. Currently the department has employed 62 extension officers, and needs more officers.
Fourthly, as part of the GDP’s and GDARD’s commitment to farmer development and support, the MEC and the Mayor of Westonaria, successfully launched a youth learner-farmer support programme.
As part of GPG priorities, GDARD in partnership with the Department of Education are planning to launch an agricultural training programme in the West Rand. Human development holds key to raising productivity and being more competitive. Emerging farmers need to receive practical training and on the job training from academic institutions and trainers.
In order to achieve rural development, it will be necessary to set aside dedicated resources to recapitalize agricultural training schemes or colleges to ensure that they develop and run appropriate training programmes to support peri-urban and rural economies.
Fifthly, unfortunately agricultural productivity alone is no longer able to provide a reliable livelihood for the Gauteng’s growing population. Alternative or additional income generating opportunities are needed to support agriculture. Agro-processing i.e. turning primary agricultural produce into other commodities such as, cheese, pork, canned fruit, frozen vegetables etc for markets has the potential to provide those opportunities.
As part of the 100 days program, 40 agro-processing projects were selected for implementation including six major agro-processing projects, including the following projects:
- The milking parlours in Devon and in Elandsfontein
- The feed milling plant in Tarlton
- The multi-purpose bins or lug boxes
- The storage and grading packing sheds in Heildeberg, Cullinan and Vaal (under construction)
Sixthly, the department is planning to revive agricultural expos in Gauteng
In addition to this work the department has held two successful awards ceremony: namely Female Farmer of the Year in August 2009 and the Biotechnology award in September 2009.These award assist in recognising efforts made by individual and groups to contribute to Gauteng priorities development of the rural development strategy.
The basic thrust of the Gauteng Provincial Government strategic priorities is to improve the conditions of life for all the citizens. The Gauteng rural development strategy is aimed at being an effective response against poverty and insecurity by maximising the use and management of natural resources to create vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities. It is aimed at improving the standards of living and welfare but also rectifies past injustices through rights-based interventions and addresses skewed patterns of distribution and ownership of wealth and assets. Its strategic objective is therefore to facilitate integrated development and social cohesion through participatory approaches in partnership with all sectors of society. The vision of the strategy is to stimulate rural development and food security by creating vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities which include but not limited to:
- contributing to the redistribution of the country’s agricultural land
- improving food security of the rural poor
- creation of business opportunities
- de-congesting and rehabilitation of over-crowded rural areas
- expanding opportunities for women, youth, people with disabilities and older persons who stay in rural areas.
Primary animal health care
As of 20 July 2009, veterinary services has done more that 18 531 vaccinations and 5 439 pets have been treated. Vaccination target have already been excided and will also reach the Pet treatment target.
Conclusion
As elected representatives of the people, we have a responsibility to ensure that a quality of life of the majority of our people is improved with speed “ngempela kuyasheshwa.”
Thank you so much for the opportunity.
For more information contact:
Tshepo Shawa
Tel: 011 355 1326
Cell: 072 222 6333
