Date: 18/06/2004
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: C Dowry: Statement on Western Cape Agriculture budget vote
STATEMENT BY COBUS DOWRY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, 18 JUNE 2004
AGRICULTURE BRINGING FOOD TO THE TABLE OF THE HOME FOR ALL
Agriculture is one of the most important growth sectors in the economy of the Western Cape and it holds the key to real job creation in the province. It holds the key to the fight against poverty and for this reason the Department of Agriculture must become the leading agent in the process of delivery.
The budget allocated to the Department of Agriculture is R223,48 million, divided as follows:
Administration - R 29,79 million
Sustainable Resource Management - R 26,99 million
Farmer support and development - R73,52 million
Technology research and Development - R44,41 million
Agricultural Economics - R7,26 million
Structured Agricultural Training - R18,0 million
Veterinary Services: R23,50 million
The birth of the New South Africa, a decade ago, brought with it a changing role for agriculture in South Africa and the Western Cape. The same sector that had, for years, been dominated by a relatively small number of successful commercial farmers was faced by the urgent need to assist in establishing, enabling and supporting smaller new emerging farmers.
The last vestiges of apartheid lies in the possession of land and only through orderly but progressive land reform will we be able to right the historic wrongs connected to ownership. The role of commercial farmers to land reform is crucial to this process. There is a willingness amongst farmers in the Western Cape to take up this responsibility and commercial farmers must be hailed for this commitment.
The R70 million allotted to land reform as it is packed in the Programme of Farmer Support and Development epitomises the promise of iKapa elihlumayo: dignity, equity and prosperity. An additional 70 staff members will be appointed this year in order to deliver on the promise of extension, support and facilitation of training to farmers.
Close to R14 million will be spent on programmes to support the hungry and the poor in conjunction with the Department of Social Development with advise and distribution of agricultural food packs and agricultural starter packs.
Infrastructure development as part of a spatial development framework is regarded as one of the pillars of economic growth together with the promotion of sustainable use of natural resources. Several projects on infrastructure development to the amount of R30, 6 million will be funded this year.
The Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape is in the forefront of Agricultural research in South Africa. We want to be on the cutting edge all the time as research and technology development is the enabler to improve production and profitability in agriculture.
The focus of this Department has also been changed to meet the needs of farm workers. It is for this reason that a new position was created within the Department - to engage with farm workers and to help build a more unified and organised structure to represent them and their interests. The result is that a provincial farm worker indaba will be held on the 17th of August this year, to be opened by Premier Rasool, with a focus on every aspect of the lives of farm workers from economic upliftment to education, social services etc. The purpose of this indaba is to give practical effect to seamless government and to highlight the needs of farm workers.
With regards to structured agricultural training. The programme on training has been adapted to make provision for the full spectrum within the broad farming community ranging from commercial farmers, emerging farmers to farm labourers. An amount of R18 million will be spent on capacity building involving the extension of training facilities with new facilities to be established at Augsburg and Oudtshoorn. As part of the transformation process the Elsenburg Agricultural College will be renamed the Cape Institute for Agricultural training.
The Department of Agriculture is fully committed to the principles of iKapa elihlumayo. I believe in the province and its people, and especially in the farmers of this province. I am convinced that the agricultural community, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture, can continue to make its invaluable contribution toward growing and sharing this beautiful and bountiful province of ours.
Enquiries:
Alie van Jaarsveld
Cell: 084 604 6701
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, western Cape Provincial Government
18 June 2004
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: C Dowry: Statement on Western Cape Agriculture budget vote
STATEMENT BY COBUS DOWRY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, 18 JUNE 2004
AGRICULTURE BRINGING FOOD TO THE TABLE OF THE HOME FOR ALL
Agriculture is one of the most important growth sectors in the economy of the Western Cape and it holds the key to real job creation in the province. It holds the key to the fight against poverty and for this reason the Department of Agriculture must become the leading agent in the process of delivery.
The budget allocated to the Department of Agriculture is R223,48 million, divided as follows:
Administration - R 29,79 million
Sustainable Resource Management - R 26,99 million
Farmer support and development - R73,52 million
Technology research and Development - R44,41 million
Agricultural Economics - R7,26 million
Structured Agricultural Training - R18,0 million
Veterinary Services: R23,50 million
The birth of the New South Africa, a decade ago, brought with it a changing role for agriculture in South Africa and the Western Cape. The same sector that had, for years, been dominated by a relatively small number of successful commercial farmers was faced by the urgent need to assist in establishing, enabling and supporting smaller new emerging farmers.
The last vestiges of apartheid lies in the possession of land and only through orderly but progressive land reform will we be able to right the historic wrongs connected to ownership. The role of commercial farmers to land reform is crucial to this process. There is a willingness amongst farmers in the Western Cape to take up this responsibility and commercial farmers must be hailed for this commitment.
The R70 million allotted to land reform as it is packed in the Programme of Farmer Support and Development epitomises the promise of iKapa elihlumayo: dignity, equity and prosperity. An additional 70 staff members will be appointed this year in order to deliver on the promise of extension, support and facilitation of training to farmers.
Close to R14 million will be spent on programmes to support the hungry and the poor in conjunction with the Department of Social Development with advise and distribution of agricultural food packs and agricultural starter packs.
Infrastructure development as part of a spatial development framework is regarded as one of the pillars of economic growth together with the promotion of sustainable use of natural resources. Several projects on infrastructure development to the amount of R30, 6 million will be funded this year.
The Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape is in the forefront of Agricultural research in South Africa. We want to be on the cutting edge all the time as research and technology development is the enabler to improve production and profitability in agriculture.
The focus of this Department has also been changed to meet the needs of farm workers. It is for this reason that a new position was created within the Department - to engage with farm workers and to help build a more unified and organised structure to represent them and their interests. The result is that a provincial farm worker indaba will be held on the 17th of August this year, to be opened by Premier Rasool, with a focus on every aspect of the lives of farm workers from economic upliftment to education, social services etc. The purpose of this indaba is to give practical effect to seamless government and to highlight the needs of farm workers.
With regards to structured agricultural training. The programme on training has been adapted to make provision for the full spectrum within the broad farming community ranging from commercial farmers, emerging farmers to farm labourers. An amount of R18 million will be spent on capacity building involving the extension of training facilities with new facilities to be established at Augsburg and Oudtshoorn. As part of the transformation process the Elsenburg Agricultural College will be renamed the Cape Institute for Agricultural training.
The Department of Agriculture is fully committed to the principles of iKapa elihlumayo. I believe in the province and its people, and especially in the farmers of this province. I am convinced that the agricultural community, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture, can continue to make its invaluable contribution toward growing and sharing this beautiful and bountiful province of ours.
Enquiries:
Alie van Jaarsveld
Cell: 084 604 6701
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, western Cape Provincial Government
18 June 2004
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