by: Honorouble Ali Makola

Madam Speaker, the core function and responsibility of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development remain that of ensure an environment that supports human well-being, conserve the environment, ensure provision of sufficient food and water and ensure provision of veterinary services in the province.

According to National Treasury provincial budgets and expenditure review, it indicate that maintaining and supporting the agriculture value chain is one of the priorities in government’s New Growth Path, which targets opportunities for 300 000 households in agriculture smallholder schemes and 145 000 jobs in agro-processing by 2020.

In addition, the National Development Plan (NDP) aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by drawing on the collective energies of people, growing an inclusive economy, building capabilities, enhancing the capacity of the state, and promoting leadership and partnerships throughout society. Through the NDP, the intention is to realise a food trade surplus of which one-third should be produced by small-scale farmers or households to ensure household food and nutrition security.

Therefore Madam Speaker, it is significant that we flag the work done in the current financial year to serve as point-of-reference that the Department is indeed hard at work changing the lives of our people. In the current financial year, under Agricultural Economics Services, a total of 226 smallholder farmers received agricultural economic advice, such as food safety and quality assurance to enable them to make informed decisions. 33 agri-businesses received agricultural economic services to access markets.

Regarding Veterinary services, the annual Rust de Winter Livestock Vaccination Campaign was successful, during the farm-to-farm campaign over 5 000 livestock were vaccinated for a wide range of diseases including lumpy skin disease, anthrax, black quarter, botulism and pulpy kidney. Awareness and advocacy campaigns ensured that a target of 57 608 animals receiving veterinary care and this was achieve. Lastly, is the work done under Environmental Empowerment Services, the Department managed to create 788 environmental work opportunities, in which 447 opportunities benefited 223 women, 224 men, 266 youth and 10 people with disabilities.

Similarly Madam Speaker, acknowledging all the work conducted thus far, we must now focus our attention to the Department’s 2018/19 budget and its priorities thereof.

Let us command the Department for allocating R20 million budget to Vereeniging Fresh Produce Market for refurbishment of the fresh produce market as part of the bigger plan to modernise the market. Coupled with this is a R10 million West Rand Fresh Produce Market for infrastructure planning and implementation of the market in the Rand West City Local Municipality.

The Department has also prioritised Gauteng Agro-processing Hub, allocating R10 million for infrastructure planning and implementation of the agro-processing hub in the Mogale City Local Municipality. Furthermore, is the Randfontein Milling Plant allocated R2 million, the Department has given an undertaking to continue to support the cooperative to operationalize the milling plant during 2018/19.

Madam Speaker, another area we must highlight is the allocation of R20 million to Obert Mthombeni Agripark, this is the Agripark with a hi-tech hydroponics facility and packaging facility equivalent to 30,000 square metre (sqm).  

Madam Speaker, we also note the R8 million allocation to Tshwane Meat processing plant, this project is part of the CASP business plan, and in line with this is the R17 million budget for Agro-processing Machinery, the machinery for 9 big projects including bakery distribution centres, beef abattoirs, piggery abattoirs and juice extraction plants.

Programmes and projects stated above are amongst other Department’s efforts to change the lives of our people for the better.  It suffice to say that the Department have productively used agriculture sector to contributing positively to the economic growth of the Province and the country. We further note that Agro-processing program is to be accelerated through increased investment and partnership with the industry and programmes like Water Use Efficiency is given attention with special focus on training of farmers as well as adapting their irrigation technology and monitoring change in water consumption.

Madam Speaker, according to recent STATS S.A, after two consecutive quarters of decline, the South African economy spluttered back to life in the second quarter of 2017. Positive contributions to higher economic activity across most industries – in particular agriculture, finance and mining – lifted the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2, 5% quarter-on-quarter. Agriculture continued to show strong recovery from South Africa’s recent drought, increasing production by 33, 6%.1. The rise in the second quarter was mostly driven by a rise in the production of field crops, in particular maize and wheat, as well as increased production of horticulture products such as vegetables.

Noting this crucial information from STATS S.A Madam Speaker, we must commend the ANC led Provincial Government who continue to place agriculture high on the list of its priorities, therefore addressing the apex issue around food security and poverty alleviation. This is with emphasis to agro-processing sector, this sector comprises of a highly diverse group of sub-sectors and industries, these major sub-sectors include food processing, beverages and aquaculture amongst others.

Madam Speaker, I will like to move for an adoption of the budget outlined by the Department of Agriculture and rural Development, this is a pro-poor budget, in-line with the desperate needs of the marginalised section of our society.

--I thank You--