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Date : 13/12/2002
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Mamase: Strategic partnership workshop, Eastern Cape


PRESENTATION BY THE EASTERN CAPE MEC FOR AGRICULTURE, MAX MAMASE, AT THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WORKSHOP HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE, 13 December 2002

1. Introduction
Vice-Chancellor: Prof. Derrick Swartz
University Council
Honourable MEC Godongwana
Nkonkobe Community
Teaching Staff
Workers
Students
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen:

First and foremost, I must say I am delighted to be part of this initiative of forging properly structured and well-managed formal partnership between this University and the Government of the Province. Secondly, I must add and say, this initiative is long overdue. It is something that should have happen a long time ago. However, we understand the change process and we appreciate its complexity and magnitude. Therefore, we welcome with warm and open hands this august initiative to craft cooperative arrangements with this University.

Fort Hare has a long and painful history that we all know. Fort Hare is exceptionally positioned and situated. It is situated among the lot of the peasants. It goes without saying that this institution has to find its context, relevance and role from its surrounding environment. Thereafter, you can identify your niche in the Southern African region and the global environment. My emphasis here is for this University to have its roots at home and then extend its tentacles globally.

In the light of the above argument, and with specific reference to Agricultural Development in the Province, I would like to make my presentation in the following manner.

Firstly, I am going to briefly outline the aims and objectives of the Provincial Department of Agriculture as contained in our policy document. Secondly, I will briefly highlight some of the programmes that have been put in place as a means to achieve these objectives. Finally, I will openly throw some challenges to the Faculty of Agriculture as a means to start the process of identifying possible partnership roles between us.

2. Aims and Objectives of the Department of Agriculture

The department has set itself the following objectives within the framework of both the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy and the National Strategic Plan for South African Agriculture:

* To promote the sustainable utilisation of natural resources. This is in line with the sustainable development concept and NEPAD
* To promote increased food and fibre production thereby contributing to food security
* To stimulate increased economic activity in agriculture and related industries
* To provide an enabling agricultural legislative environment.

There are various programmes that are being implemented to achieve these objectives. These programmes include the following:
* The Land Care programme,
* The Resource Planning Scheme (Agro-ecological Zones to assist farmers, communities and municipalities in their Integrated Development Plans (IDPs))
* Communal Soil Conservation Scheme as gazetted in November 2001 and aims to promote the construction of certain key conservation works that are implemented to prevent the haemorrhaging of soil fertility and to combat excessive soil loss through erosion
* Livestock Improvement Scheme
* Development of Holding Farms
* Maintenance of International Standards
* Primary Animal Health Care
* Crop Improvement Scheme
* Mentorship Programme
* Land Redistribution and Acquisition
* Equitable Access and Participation
* Other new and alternative income generating initiatives (Hemp, Olives, Ostrich production, Chicory, pineapple, potatoes and wool production).

In the light of the afore going discussion, it would be very important for the University of Fort Hare to play a major role both in developing and supplying the intellectual capital into some of the programmes outlined herein. In the area of Policy Research, analysis and Development, the Department of Agricultural Economics is very relevant. I am aware that some research and studies have been carried out to determine the economic impact of stock theft in this province. The results of the study can be very useful to us as government in terms of policy in the area of safety and security and other measures of reducing stock theft because we will be doing that from a well-informed position in terms of the actual statistics.

Another very important issue to highlight is that our province is largely and dominantly a livestock province. The largest numbers of almost all livestock categories are found in this province. Therefore, the Animal Science Division needs to bolster its contribution to development plans of this important sector of our farming.

Another important challenge is to the Division of Crop Sciences or Agronomy. We are introducing new crops in the form of Hemp and Olives. We have no agronomic information on these crops. However, these crops have been planted and it would make perfect sense for this division to encourage research in the production of these crops and any other crop that can help increase the income streams for the rural farmers.

Finally, another important area of cooperation that I would like to see considered is the question of agricultural statistics. We need up-to-date statistical information about the agricultural sector in this province. It has been reported on newspapers on 11 December 2002 that the % contribution of agriculture to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market prices in 2001 was 8,2% in the Eastern Cape. Not trying to suggest anything to the contrary, what caused this big stride in percentage contribution of the sector to the GDP? What factors are at play? Which agricultural enterprises are the best performing in this province? And how can we sustain this growth? This is really phenomenal growth. In 1999, agriculture's contribution to GDP was 3,6% with animal products taking a share of 75% of total value of agricultural production. Over the period, 1998-2001, real growth of Agriculture Value Added including fishing and forestry increased by a staggering 62%.

This, to me, means that we need a centre of agricultural excellence where agricultural statistics, market information, policy research and development will be carried out. This is happening in the Western Cape between the Department of Agriculture and the University of Stellenbosch. We can also do it and we are conveniently positioned in terms of proximity to one another.

Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)

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