9 November 2006
On the 1st of December last year we had the launch of the market and I said
that this market was a good example of the type of partnership that we need in
this province, if we want to make sure that Ikapa Elihlumayo is alive and a
reality for every citizen in this province. In this project we are
demonstrating the strength of partnerships between different levels of
government and the private sector in our efforts to stimulate the economic
growth in the province.
This development of the Philippi Fruit and Vegetable Market is funded by the
City of Cape Town and the Provincial Administration of the Western Cape at a
total cost of R34 million. I believe that the initial input from the private
sector, including several Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) companies, is
collectively in the region of R8 million plus for packing, processing, cold
storage and ripening equipment.
We decided to develop here because it ties in with the Metropolitan Spatial
Development Framework, as it is strategically located in terms of air, road and
rail links. It also has a ready supply of local labour. The planning design and
buildings comply with international food safety standards, which are becoming
more and more relevant every day, if we want to be player in the international
marketplace. It is much more than just a fresh produce market as it boasts some
of the most modern on-site processing facilities, thus creating a unique
value-adding food production chain, which is the answer to the creation of jobs
for people from this area.
Today we are officially opening this complex and we have to make sure that
this market serves the purpose for which it was planned. As was indicated
originally the market is supposed to create the "suction force" for the
establishment of more than 2 500 emerging farmers and the development of more
than 5 000 hectares of farmland over a five-year period in the Philippi and
Cape Flats area. For us in the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape
the challenge will lie in the empowerment of the people in this area through
urban Agricultural projects.
We believe that we can fight poverty in this home for all, through
well-planned food security projects. The prerequisite for food security
projects to succeed in the urban areas is a much more co-ordinated process by
the same role players that were involved in the development of this market. I
want to make use of this platform today to extend an invitation to both the
private sector and local government to engage with us on all projects related
to food gardens and food security, in order for us to tackle this challenge in
a well co-ordinated and structured manner.
South Africa as a country is largely self-sufficient in food; yet, some of
our people are faced with hunger and malnutrition. There are also a number of
South Africans who are vulnerable to food insecurity. Among these are women,
children and the elderly. It is true that many people are still going hungry
every day in South Africa and in the Western Cape. It is sad that this often
occurs within walking distance from full granaries and packing sheds. Or, in
other words, the food is available, but people do not have the money to buy
food.
Thus, a food security strategy that is based on two legs needs to be
followed. The first is to enable people to have the financial measures to buy
food and the second is to help people to produce food within their limited
means. Within the Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme, designed at
national level, agriculture is seen as a major contributor to food security.
The role of agriculture is defined as providing food for the insecure and to
use farming as a means for growing food.
Our figures indicate that for example, the number of persons (households)
that received food parcels in 2003 was estimated at 20 000 beneficiaries and
the department estimated that about 15% of this group could still become
clients of Agriculture, through mainly food garden initiatives.
The mandate of the Farmer Support and Development programme of the
Department of Agriculture in this province includes: Food Security, Farmer
Settlement, Farmer Support Services and Farm Worker Development. The
sub-programme Food Security co-ordinates and implements various food production
projects as highlighted and adopted by the Integrated Food Security Strategy of
South Africa. It also provides information and facilitates training of
community garden and animal production beneficiaries.
Within our provincial budget funds have been allocated for community gardens
within the urban context. What must be stressed is the greater need for
partnerships between the department and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
for the successful implementation of food security projects. A memorandum of
understanding was signed between the Rotary Club and the department to roll out
various food production projects in 2006/07.
The challenge is to reduce the number of food insecure households by half by
2015, by increasing domestic production, improving food safety, sustaining
safety nets and emergency food management. We have the means in this province
to address food security on various levels. Where there is water and land
available my department can assist and support food gardens not only for
subsistence farming but also for communities and for markets.
It is further said that in many cases people have land but poverty and food
insecurity is still high. The Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for
South Africa (AsgiSA) has termed this challenge "dead assets in the hands of
the poor." We need to activate these assets and make them work for the people.
The national Minister Ms Lulu Xingwana, requested us to use November as the
month to go back to the fields to plough.
On Saturday at a meeting with the national Minister we agreed on the
"Ilima/Letsema" campaign. We will, through this campaign, build on and leverage
programmes already existing in the provinces, programmes that offer support to
small scale farming in the form of fencing, seeds, fertilisers, extension
support and irrigation as an example. We will have "Ilima/Letsema" in all
provinces during November. We have adopted the idea of Siyagijima, which means
let us run, or differently put; let's hurry up. We cannot allow Land to Lie
Fallow! We need to utilise the land and unleash this productive asset to feed
our families and communities, create employment and contribute towards economic
growth and development of local and rural economies.
We need to involve our young people who are jobless to roll up their sleeves
and go to the fields. We want to say to them agriculture is Cool. Through this
Market we want to cater for the needs of this sector and contract farming will
play an important role from supplying the necessary seed, fertilisers and
mentoring up to the final collection and marketing of the produce.
My department is proud to be associated with the Philippi Market as we are
increasingly settling and supporting emerging farmers and this market will
create the necessary tool and place for these farmers to sell and promote their
produce. The market will create the ideal opportunity to enter the mainstream
activities of agriculture. Commercial farmers, especially those wishing to
incorporate empowerment in their production units, will be encouraged to send
produce to the Philippi Market and to interact directly with the various value
adding and trading groups at the market.
However it is among emerging farmers, where significant job creation
opportunities will be developed through the Philippi Market Supply Base
project, which is a five-year programme, funded by the Western Cape Department
of Agriculture. One of the unique qualities of the market is its processing,
including sourcing, sorting and pre-preparation facilities, which could handle
large portions of the processing cycle and contract for outside food
processors.
The Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape is making R4 million
available to assist in this venture as part of the implementation of Agri-BEE.
This market has the potential to become a leading distribution centre of
agricultural produce in the Cape Peninsula and we trust that it will be the hub
where produce is received in bulk, without neglecting the smaller producers in
any way. On behalf of the Department of Agriculture and the government of the
Western Cape I want to wish you every success with this venture. I trust that
it will grow from strength to strength, thereby helping us to empower our
people economically and to create a better life for all in the home for all in
the Western Cape.
Enquiries:
Alie van Jaarsveld
Spokesperson
Ministry of Agriculture, Western Cape
Tel: (021) 483 4930
Fax: (021) 483 3890
Email: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Provincial
Government
9 November 2006
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
