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This report covers the budget allocation and expenditure for 2017/18 and progress in the implementation of agricultural targets in the Eastern Cape province. It discusses planting plans for the 2018/19 financial year, the impact of drought-resistant seeds, progress in commercializing black farmers, recruitment of Veterinary and Extension Officers, and the management of animal diseases. Furthermore, it highlights the rehabilitation of agricultural land in the province.
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Department of Rural Development and Agrarian ReformProvince of the Eastern CapePortfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 06 March 2018
Introduction • Budget allocation for the 2017/18. • Progress in the implementation of Fetla Tsala targets in respect of 2017/18 planting season. • Planting plans for the 2018/19 financial year. • The impact of drought resistance seeds in the Province. • Progress on commercialisation of black farmers. • Progress on recruitment of Veterinary and Extension Officers. • Management of animal diseases and progress on the rehabilitation of agricultural land in provinces.
1. Budget allocation and expenditure for the 2017/18 • With regards to available budget of R 10 374 137 the following commitments are to be paid: • R 2 780 000 outstanding payment to Deciduous Fruit Development Chamber • R 4 141 000 outstanding payment to Grain SA • R 3 453 000 is for payment of remaining crop operations and outstanding mechanisation operations.
2. Progress in the implementation of Fetla Tsala targets in respect of 2017/18 planting season. 2.1 Maize production • Planned target for 2017/18 was 47 800ha and actual planted hectares is 46 096 ha. • The above was achieved in partnership with Grain SA, GFADA and WHIPHOLD. • The main focus of the strategy is for commercialisation of the smallholder black producers. • The classification of support in line with the strategy is as follows: • Communal farmers • Smallholder farmers
DISTRIBUTION OF PROJECTS CURRENTLY ON RECORD WITH DRDAR • A TOTAL OF 46 096 HA PLANTED IN 2017/18 SEASON
2.1 Maize production (Cont…) Table 2. Progress with the establishment of crops under the Cropping Program
2.2 Citrus production • Total of 36 smallholders producers were targeted for support, of which: • 30 were provided with financial for expansion, maintenance and purchase of production inputs. • 10 were supported to established additional 5 hectares each, • 20 producers received support for production inputs for 10 hectares each for pre-first harvest, and • 6 received only training and marketing advice. • The above was achieved with the partnership with Citrus Grower Development Company. • The main focus of the strategy is for commercialisation of the smallholder black producers.
2.3 Deciduous production • Total of 17 smallholders producers were targeted for the support, of which: • 4 were supported for expansion of 7 hectares, • 13 Gubenxa were supported for soil assessment (450 ha for green-fields and establishment of 2 sites for cultivar evaluation) • The above was achieved with the partnership with Deciduous Fruit Development Chamber.
2.4 Chicory production • Total of 10 farms covering 128ha and benefitting 98 households were supported. • The above was achieved in partnership with Nestle and Chicory SA. • The main focus of the strategy is for commercialisation of the smallholder black producers.
2.5 Household food production • Total of 24 000 households were targeted in order to address food insecurity and by 31 December 14 997 households were supported with agricultural input.
3. Planting plans for the 2018/19 financial year 3.1 Grain production • Targeted to plant 55 000 ha in respect of grain production that is estimated to yield 193 000 tons. • 158smallholder farmers and 5 603 clustered grain producers creating 1 100 jobs • This shall be achieved through partnership with Grain SA, The Grain Farmer Development Association (GFADA), SAB, WIPHold, Masisizane Fund, Anglo American.
3. Planting plans for the 2018/19 financial year (cont…) 3.1 Grain production (cont…)
3. Planting plans for the 2018/19 financial year (cont…) 3.2 Citrus production • Establish a 35 ha new citrus orchard area, • Provide support for maintenance of 532 ha of recently established orchard in the 2 year pre-first harvest period, • A total of 272 black farmers will be benefitting and 79 new jobs will be created. This will be implemented in partnership with the Grower Development Company of the Citrus Growers Association. • Three new entrants will be supported in Amathole with infrastructure i.e fencing and irrigation system. • Two farms in Sarah Baartman will be supported for Environmental Impact Assessments.
3. Planting plans for the 2018/19 financial year and impact of drought resistance seeds in the Province (cont…) 3.3 Deciduous production • The expansion in langkloof is projected over 5 years on account of it involving some upgrading of existing orchards while the green-fields expansion at Gubenxa is projected over 7 years. • Support will be provided to 157 farmers to upgrade 51 ha of orchards, increase orchards from 95 ha to 102 ha in Langkloof benefitting 574 farmers and creating 422 job opportunities. • Furthermore, accelerate conclusion of development planning and regulatory authorization (EIA & Water licenses) for the Greenfields apple production area of 450 ha in Gubenxa.
3. Planting plans for the 2018/19 financial year and impact of drought resistance seeds in the Province (cont…) 3.4 Chicory production Targeted to plant 60ha of Chicory benefitting 25 farmers 3.5 Households food production In order to address food insecurity, 25 000 households will be supported with agricultural input.
4. The impact of drought resistance seeds in the Province. • Farmers have shown interest on drought tolerant maize seed (water efficient maize for Africa - WEMA) that has been demonstrated to them by DRDAR and ARC. • 12 farmers at Amathole district used the seed (about 2 kg each) during the cropping season of 2016/17 following demonstration trials and information days that were held during the cropping season of 2015/16. • Demonstration trials and information days are continually conducted on farm lands to demonstrate to the farmers the performance of more breeds that are drought and also stalk-borer tolerant. • In February 2017, the Eastern Cape Province hosted and participated in an multi-national WEMA annual workshop. • Demonstration trials and information days are conducted to accommodate for environmental variabilities of the Province because a cultivar performing well at Amathole might not be do well in other districts. • The plan is to spread them to accommodate different agro-ecological zones of the Province with high potential for maize production.
5. Progress with Transformation Strategy (cont…) Red Meat • The Department has initiated a partnership with Nguni trust, IDC to support communal and smallholder farmers with genetic improvement scheme. • During the period under review a total of 26 bulls and 118 heifers were distributed to 12 communal areas to improve the genetic material. • Two feedlots (Customer feeding units) are under construction and 13 existing feedlots were supported with feed and market access.
6. Progress on recruitment of Veterinarians and Extension Officers, and recruitment of veterinarians • During the 2017/18 financial year twenty (20) officials were recruited in the Directorate of Extension and Advisory Services. • The composition of these officials is as follows: • Deputy Director Extension (1), • Production Scientists (8), • Senior Agricultural Advisors (10), and Agricultural Advisor (1). • The diverse disciplines of these recruited officials is informed by priority areas of the Agricultural Economic Transformation Strategy which include livestock production and horticultural crops, among many. • Recruitment of Veterinarians • Four state veterinarians were recruited for Senqu , Enoch Mgijima, Emalahleni and Sakhisizwe local municipalities. • Nineteen (19) Compulsory Community Service veterinarians were recruited to service, in the main, the eastern part of the Province
7. Management of animal diseases and progress on the rehabilitation of agricultural land in provinces. • Management of animal diseases • There were four outbreaks of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza around Sarah Baartman District. All have been put under control. • 822 739 cattle were vaccinated against anthrax , a deadly disease for man and animals with serious economic impact, • 375 798 pets , mainly dogs, were vaccinated against rabies to mitigate the emerging threat of rabies in the Eastern Cape Province. • 1, 207 million sheep were treated twice with ivermectin injectable remedy in order to improve the quality of wool and control sheep scab in poorly resourced farmers • Rehabilitation of agricultural land in provinces. • A total of 1 847 ha of land has been rehabilitated in the Eastern Cape through projects of DRDAR involving soil conservation measures and eradication of alien invasive species.
CONCLUSION DRDAR will continue to improve service delivery in partnership with the private sector and NGOs.
