Department budget to respond to economic growth plans
The Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) is set to use its allocated R1,2 billion to respond to provincial economic growth plans. As the spear-header of the ACT strategy, the Department through it Budget Speech has committed to bringing in reforms in addressing food and nutrition security, market access and development that will lead towards the desired economic growth.
READ MEC, Manketsi Tlhape presented the departmental Budget Vote Speech on 03 May 2016 at the North West Provincial Legislature, Mahikeng. The Department has identified projects aimed at changing game and ensuring good positioning of its key business. MEC Tlhape has emphasised that the department will in forging ahead the delivery of the NDP, the align itself with the 5th Provincial Administration has developed a vision towards Repositioning, Rebranding, Renewal of Bokone Bophirima anchored on five concretes which include: ACT (Agriculture, Culture and Tourism) VTSD (Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies), RHR (Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal), Setsokotsane as well as Saamwerk-saamtrek philosophy.
The Department's commitment to put into production 20 000 hectares of the unused communal land still remains. To date, R14 million was spent on the 10 060ha of cropping lands in areas of Tswaing, Mahikeng and Ditsobotla. "This year alone, we will cultivate 12 000 hectares for food production in communal and land reform areas. The department has set aside R17 million to roll out the Crop Massification Programme," MEC further indicated.
The presidential National AgriParks initiative has gained momentum with four sites identified to establish AgriParks. These areas include Springbokpan, Vryburg, Moretele and Maquassi Hills (Klerksdorp). The infrastructural and mechanical refurbishments of the Springbokpan Grain Value Chain AgriPark have been accomplished and the facility will be operational during this harvest period.
Plans are afoot to continue with the ground breaking Tshimo ya Kgosi programme. To date 28 Dikgosi have benefitted from the initiative. R11.2 million was spent on acquisition of livestock and agriculture inputs for Dikgosi. Eleven Dikgosi will be supported this year and about R5 million has been set aside for further implementation of the initiative this year.
MEC Tlhape said it was imperative for the Department to respond to a call by Premier Supra Mahumapelo on the reviving of the VTSD economies. "Out of the 60% procurement target towards these sites, we proudly report that 74% was achieved through goods and services provision, key departmental events capital projects", she declared. The department has for the current financial year identified a myriad of projects to deliver on as part of our VTSD economic contribution and a new target of 70% is set.
As part of maintaining accreditation status, the department will continue with infrastructural and other developments to the Taung and Potchefstroom Agricultural Colleges as well as Kgora Farmers Training Centre which ensured that 50 students graduated at Potchefstroom Agricultural College on mixed farming and 750 farmers were trained during 2015/16. The first graduation ceremony for Taung Agricultural College will take place in the month of May following the new accreditation curriculum on irrigation agriculture.
On the role of environmental development and management, MEC Tlhape called for a delicate balancing act as the Department ensures maximum and sustainable use of already strained resources. For this year, the Department finalised the NW Environmental Implementation Plan EIP 2015-2020, as required by the National Environmental Management Act, 1998. The department launched one momentous game transformation project in partnership with the South African Rare Game Breeding Holdings in Kgetleng River Local Municipality. During current financial year, the focus will be on monitoring and implementation of the mentorship programme to ensure the success of this initiative.
As part of giving back to our communities, through the North West Parks Board, the Department plans to drive an agenda that seeks to enable the local communities to extract value out of natural resources, whilst at the same time ensuring adherence to Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) guidelines. Four communities adjacent to protected areas will benefit from the development of community lodges. This year, the Barokologadi-ba-ga Kgosi Maotoe Communal Property Association, formalised their agreement with the North West Park Board. The Board will continue to work with communities, private land owners and other state departments to increase the size of land under formal conservation. These agreements should lead to the advancement of economic revival or rejuvenation of the affected communities and stakeholders. The Board is currently finalising a land incorporation agreement for 958ha with Mooke Communal Property Association in Borakalalo national park.
MEC said the Department will move in strides to achieve. She said it might not be at an anticipated pace but she believes that the Department will greatly contribute to the set economic growth targets.
Enquiries:
Tsholofelo Dintwe
Acting Director: Communication Services
Tel: 018 389 5768
Cell: 083 576 7655 or 079 946 7486
E-mail: tsholofelod@nwpg.gov.za
