President Jacob Zuma at the Sappi tree planting ceremony in Mvezo, former President Nelson Mandela’s ancestral village in the Eastern Cape Province Trees planted to honour birthplace of former President Nelson Mandela Official newsletter of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries July 2010 5 8 4 International News 3 Departmental News 9 Also in this issue: Departmental News Sector News 10 11 12 Sector News Sector News Sector News Sector News Project Grow - developing emerging farmers Towards LandCare through conservation agriculture Centre to support transformation in agricultural sector ECape Farm Workers’ Summit reveals a sorry state of farm life Limpopo combating desertification Rhino poaching hotline launched FAO representation in South Africa Commercial abalone fishery harvest open
Transcript
President Jacob Zuma at the Sappi tree planting ceremony in Mvezo, former President Nelson Mandela’s ancestral village in the Eastern Cape Province
Trees planted to honour birthplace of former President Nelson Mandela
DAFFOfficial newsletter of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
July 2010
5
8
4
International News
3Departmental News
9
Also in this issue:
Departmental News
Sector News
10
11
12
Sector News
Sector News
Sector News
Sector News
Project Grow - developing emerging farmers
Towards LandCare through conservation agriculture
Centre to support transformation in agricultural sector
ECape Farm Workers’ Summit reveals a sorry state of farm life
Limpopo combating desertification
Rhino poaching hotline launched
FAO representation in South Africa
Commercial abalone fishery harvest open
July 2010 DAFFnews No. 72
When Nelson Mandela’s father named him Rolihlahla – meaning “pulling the branch of the tree” – at his birth on 18 July 1918, he would never have dreamed that his son would one day be honoured in a special planting of trees in the small rural village of his birth, in just one of many special activi-ties that commemorated his birthday around the world.
On Sunday 18 July 2010 – former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s 92nd birthday – a cluster of indigenous trees donated by global pulp and paper company Sappi was planted by President Jacob Zuma in the small village of Mv-ezo on the Mbashe River in the district of Umtata in Transkei. The trees are a symbolic representation of a much larger legacy that will be left behind for future generations with the completion of the rehabilitation work on the Mvezo Great Place, which has been partially funded by Sappi through a donation of wooden poles that were needed to complete the development.
“For Sappi it makes sense on so many levels to contribute to this project”, com-ments Jan Labuschagne, Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Southern Africa, saying that “it is an honour to contribute to this project, which promises to bring prosper-ity, dignity and sustainability to the people of former President Nelson Mandela’s ancestral village by making sure that his rich and colourful heritage will live on in this important tourism development.”
He added, “On an ongoing and stra-tegic business level, Sappi is a committed partner in assisting with the development
DAFFnews is the newsletter of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Private Bag X250, PRETORIA 0001. It is published by the Directorate Agricultural Information Services, Private Bag X144, PRETORIA 0001.
Opinions expressed in the DAFFnews are not necessarily those of the editorial team. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission from the editor.
of emerging rural farmers and commu-nities in the greater Eastern Cape area by promoting sustainable tree farming through its Project Grow activities. A key milestone will be reached when the most mature timber situated at Pelepele is harvested soon, as it enters the end of its 10-year cycle. Collectively, the 70 house-holds participating in this project should earn about R1 million from this estimated 8 000 ton timber harvest.”
In conclusion, Mr Labuschagne said
that “the symbolic planting of the indig-enous trees on the occasion of the former President’s birthday will hopefully also resonate with the local communities in emphasising the importance of our natu-ral heritage,” and that they believe the planting of some indigenous trees at the homestead was “an ideal way to further promote the philosophy of our ‘Sandisa Imvelo’ programme, whilst honouring Mr Mandela’s magnificent legacy in a lasting and fitting manner”.
The community upliftment project at Mvezo forms part of the Mvezo De-velopment Trust’s activities under the leadership of Chief Zwelivelile Man-dela, the grandson of Chief Dalibunga Nelson Mandela.
Mvezo, with its rich history and beautiful natural environment, has been identified for development through the national Department of Water and Environmental Affairs. The development consists of a multi-purpose centre, a tribal court and a crafts centre. There are tributes to Nelson Mandela and photographs telling the story of his life achievements. Huts have been constructed in the exact place where his former home stood over half a decade
Trees planted to honour birthplace of former Presi-dent Nelson Mandela
Mvezo Traditional Council Great Place
ago. This prestigious site is set to be a world heritage site as it reflects on the chieftainship of the Mandelas, the Man-dela family and the Mandelas pre-1994 and in government.
The crucially important social aspect of rebuilding this heritage site into a suc-cessful tourism venture is backed up by a comprehensive plan to train and educate the local community in the advantages of using the indigenous local fruit trees for various purposes, such as producing jams and jellies, vinegars and wines and in all elements that will contribute to the overall sustainability of the project and the com-munity that will depend on its success.
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No. 7 DAFFnews July 2010 3
Project Grow – developing emerging farmers
Sappi is a committed partner in assist-ing with the development of emerging rural farmers and communities in the greater Eastern Cape area by promot-ing sustainable tree farming through its Project Grow activities.
This has been achieved through the work that it does with numerous communities stretching from Port Edward to Kokstad in a programme which was first started as far back as 1983 with only three grow-ers in KwaZulu-Natal. Most recently, this programme has also extended into the Eastern Cape with communities at Bizana, Matatiele, Lusikisiki and Mkambathi par-ticipating in the project.
Project Grow is a key factor in assisting emerging rural farmers who wish to enter the formal economy on a sustainable basis, and Sappi has positioned itself as their preferred land-use partner. It is not only about the transference of sustainable tree-farming skills, but also about advising small growers on other timber uses like bio-fuels and, in partnership with Asgi SA, promoting agri-forestry skills to promote multi-crop farming so that tree farmers can earn a substantial income from other agricultural crops while waiting for timber harvesting cycles to mature. This initiative has also gone a long way toward reducing rural communities’ reliance on the natural indigenous environment for commodities such as fuel and building materials.
Sappi Sandisa Imvelo
Growing Nature
Through the Sappi Sandisa Imvelo (Growing Nature) initiative, a number of areas suitable for the planting of indig-enous trees, such as the seam between Sappi’s commercial forests and the public road, and other pockets of land have been
identified on Sappi land in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. Sappi has undertaken to plant at least 10 000 indigenous trees during each growth season. These trees will be sourced from the Wildlands Con-servation Trust’s Indigenous Trees for Life project. Sappi has forged partnerships with other companies in this regard and planted trees on their behalf so that they
may reap the benefits of carbon sequestra-tion in a perfectly symbiotic win-win situa-tion where Sappi plants and maintains the trees and the partner company purchases the saplings from the Wildlands Trust which in turn funds learners from schools in local communities to grow the saplings in return for goods such as food, clothes, garden tools and bicycles.
Chief Zwelivelile Mandela (left) at the Sappi tree planting ceremony in Mvezo. Chief Zwelivelile Mandela is the grandson of Chief Dalibunga Nelson Mandela
Reducing rural communities’ reliance on the natural indigenous environment for commodities such as fuel and building materials
Departmental
July 2010 DAFFnews No. 74
Since the Food and Agriculture Or-ganization of the United Nations (FAO) opened its representation office in South Africa in 1997, it has built good relations with the South African gov-ernment to help with technical exper-tise in the agricultural sector.
Ms Rosebud Violet Kurwijila was ap-pointed as the organisation’s South African representative in May 2008. She is a former African Union Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture and an agricultural economist and has worked as a professor of agriculture at the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania. When asked about her role as FAO representa-tive, she said her priority was to build good working relations and assist government with policy formulation.
Ms Kurwijila also wants to expand her relationships with other partners such as banks in the private sector to promote food security in South Africa. On the food security status of the country, she says the situation is not yet satisfactory but it can be managed, especially in the rural areas.
She says the FAO’s relations with the government are good and that it assists the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries with technical expertise. She also commends and thanks DAFF for deploying staff to assist the FAO with projects. They are Joseph Mahlabe, an agronomist from the Directorate: Plant Production, as well as two interns from International Relations, Fhatuwani Adolph Mundalamo and Taka-lani Happy Godobedza.
Ms Kurwijila speaks passionately about food security in South Africa. One of her biggest aims is to reach out to food insecure communites in rural areas. The FAO is running projects such as TeleFood to alleviate poverty, especially in the rural areas. She says it is gratifying to see the smiles on people’s faces after they have been assisted through projects such as TeleFood. She adds that the campaign is one of the projects she embarked upon after her appointment and that it is already making a big difference in the rural areas.
Altogether, twelve TeleFood projects have been implemented in Gauteng, Limpopo, the Free State, Mpumalanga and North West and the aim is to launch these projects in all nine provinces.
The FAO is currently working on a number of projects with DAFF, the Ag-ricultural Research Council (ARC) and other partners. One of the projects is the Agriparks model in Dutywa, Eastern Cape, in collaboration with DAFF and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. Ms Kurwijila says the project aims to bring under one roof all agricul-
Ms Rosebud Violet Kurwijila was appointed as the FAO’s South African representative in May 2008.
tural processes such as the marketing of produce, agro-processing and production, the idea being to assist smallholder farm-ers in rural areas.
The FAO is also formulating a strategy on HIV/Aids in the agricultural sector (it will be launched in August) and they plan to hold a capacity-building workshop for professionals in the agricultural sector.
With her leadership, there is an as-surance that the FAO, together with government, can change the agricultural landscape and make poverty a thing of the past, especially in the rural areas where the poorest of the poor live.
Ms Rosebud Kurwijila addressing members of the Telefood project called Tivhuxheni Vhavhasati Cooperative in Soshanguve
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FAO representation office in South Africa
No. 7 DAFFnews July 2010 5
Commercial abalone fishery harvest openThe commercial harvesting of abalone will be opened with conditions from 1 July 2010 to allow fishing communi-ties to derive a livelihood from this marine resource. This opening is ac-companied by multi-faceted conditions to ensure that social, economic and security plans and structures are in place to support communities, espe-cially along the entire South West and the West coasts of South Africa.
The harvesting of wild abalone was closed in February 2008 to allow the resource to recover from poaching and the ecological effects of the West Coast Rock Lobster on abalone. In the interim, government implemented two rounds of interim relief payments valued at R16 million to alleviate the negative socio-economic impact of the closure on the affected communities.
This type of intervention is not sustain-able and it does not assist the overall socio-economic objectives of creating sustainable livelihoods. Following on President Jacob Zuma’s visit to the Over-berg region during November 2009, the President made a commitment that the suspension on the commercial harvesting of wild abalone will be lifted, provided that scientific evidence supported the sustain-ability of the wild stock.
A Government Abalone Scientific Work-ing Group recommended a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 150 tons cumulatively in the following areas: areas covering Quoin Point, Uilkraal River Mouth, De Kelders, Hermanus New Habour, Hawston Slipway, Kleinmond, Hangklip lighthouse (this area excludes Betties Bay) and Robben Island. Furthermore, a limited experimental area will be allocated in the Eastern Cape and the West Cape Point up to Table Bay Har-bour to assess sustainability.
The conditions for the season opening are:• Strictapplicationoflawenforcement
provisions of sections 50 to 76 of the Ma-rine Living Resources Act of 1998 (MLRA)
to ensure compliance by rights holders• Establishingacommitteeintermsof
section 8 of the MLRA which will ensure that those rights holders who contravene the recommendations of the government-appointed Scientific Working Group on abalone have their rights, permits or licences cancelled• Finalising a comprehensive Inte-
grated Fisheries Security Strategy (IFSS), which will be presented to Cabinet for approval after other security role players have made their input• Implementation of the Integrated
National Fisheries Development Plan (IN-FDP) in line with the government’s Spatial
Development Plans and Expanded Public Works Programme to address the socio-economic challenges of coastal communi-ties whose livelihoods depend on abalone fishery• Implementation,bythedepartment,
of the Abalone Recovery Strategy to en-sure the recovery of abalone spawning biomass• Submissionofaprogressreport to
Cabinet within six months after the condi-tional reopening
DAFF, in partnership with the depart-ments of Science and Technology, Trade and Industry and Economic Development as well as research institutions, seeks to further develop aquaculture and broaden fisheries research specifically on abalone
farming by establishing hatcheries that will supply seed for ranching and stock enhancement programmes.
In support of the sustainable use of our marine resources, the department has undertaken a comprehensive review and is in a process of developing an INFDP, as stated in the conditions above, to address the current challenges of sustainability. Once developed, the implementation of the INFDP will also support the departmen-tal action plan towards the achievement of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP).
Through the INFDP, the department seeks to conserve and develop the national fisheries resources through scientific and socio-economic development means. This includes the growth of the marine aquac-ulture sector, inland aquaculture develop-ment, new fishing harbour development, the development of cooperatives for value addition, access to extension and technical support services, development finance as well as marketing.
Through the implementation of the Aba-lone Recovery Strategy, abalone farming will be increased significantly to relieve pressure on wild abalone stocks.
To this end, the department is in collabo-ration and in partnership with the depart-ments of Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, Economic Development as well as other research institutions to fur-ther develop aquaculture and broaden fisheries research specifically on abalone farming through establishing hatcheries that will supply seed for ranching and stock enhancement programmes.
The opening of the wild abalone har-vesting season will be intensely managed through the implementation of an IFSS which will be developed and implemented jointly with security structures, coastal communities and the private sector. This means that our communities and the business sector should assist government in ensuring responsible harvesting of this marine resource.
Provincial
July 2010 DAFFnews No. 76
The overall goal of LandCare is to optimise productivity and the sustainable use of natural resources leading to greater productivity, food security, job creation, and better quality of life for all people.
The Department of Agriculture, For-estry and Fisheries (DAFF) recently undertook a study tour on Conserva-tion Agriculture (CA) in Harare.
South Africa participated in the Conser-vation Agriculture workshop with the aim of learning from other African countries about their successful implementation of CA and the adoption of CA as a vehicle for sustainable land management. The Conservation Agriculture Regional Work-ing Group (CARWG) in southern Africa was established in 2007 with the overall role of coordinating CA activities in the region. In South Africa, DAFF is driving the practice of Conservation Agriculture. There is a National Conservation Agricul-ture Task Force (NCATF) in South Africa that is responsible for the coordination and implementation of project activities. At the regional level, the NCATFs are coordinated by the CARWG, which also benefits from greater availability of infor-mation for sharing across the region and at continental and global levels.
DAFF, together with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has es-tablished the NCATF, which is currently embarking on CA practices that are being piloted in three provinces, i.e. Limpopo, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. CA is increasingly recognised as one of the most sustainable ways of farming in southern Africa and can be adapted for different farming levels and circumstances. The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) has been appointed by the FAO to facilitate CA practices by establishing demonstration sites in the rural villages of Limpopo and
the Eastern Cape. The purpose of these sites is to demonstrate to small-scale and emerging farmers the importance of CA and how they can adopt these practices. Awareness campaigns have been con-ducted in all provinces.
DAFF currently chairs the task committee on CA responsible for the administration and implementation of this programme through the Land Use and Soil Manage-ment Directorate. The members of the committee include representatives from key directorates within DAFF, NGOs, private partners and universities. The departments of agriculture in the Limpopo, Eastern
Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and West-ern Cape provinces are active in rolling out the practice of CA. DAFF’s LandCare initiative is a key programme addressing the sustainable use of natural resources in South Africa.
Clearly, South Africa is a key player in CA and it has demonstrable experience in linking the needs of people with CA policy. Moreover, with water shortages in many areas and with numerous communi-ties dependent on fresh-water ecosystems, South Africa has come up with innovative
Towards LandCare through conservation agriculture By Masingita Chauke
Resource Conservation Officer
The South African delegation at the second Regional Conservation Agriculture workshop for policy and decision makers in Southern and East Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe. From left to right: Dr Simon Letsoalo: Tshwane University of Technology, Mr Francis Steyn: Western Cape Department of Agriculture, LandCare, Mr Joe Gondo: President of NAFU, Mr Prince Makinana: Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, LandCare, Mr Matsobane Selemela: Limpopo Department of Agriculture, LandCare and Mr Masingita Chauke, LandCare South Africa.
to p. 7
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No. 7 DAFFnews July 2010 7
solutions that work for nature and people. The LandCare programme, which enables the poor to earn a living and develop new skills by rehabilitating land, is an example of such innovation that could potentially be replicated in other countries, starting with the region of Africa through the African LandCare Networks.
It was therefore in South Africa’s inter-ests to participate in the workshop. The involvement of farmers’ unions and edu-cational institutions such as the Tshwane University of Technology and the University of Fort Hare in Conservation Agriculture versus LandCare will always be crucial for
sustainable agricultural development for future generations.
Key outcomesOne objective of the study tour was to
bring together policy and decision makers and farmers’ unions from southern Africa to learn and dialogue about the impact of CA and to identify mechanisms and sup-port requirements for CA expansion in the short, medium and long term. A second objective was to create awareness among policy makers in southern Africa of the potential benefits of CA for food security.
The Zimbabwean Minister of Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Develop-ment, Hon. Senator Dr J.M. Made (MP)
officially opened the meeting. He said Zimbabwe was very proud to be able to host the second Regional Conservation Agriculture Study Tour for policy and deci-sion makers in Southern and East Africa to showcase the country’s gains in terms of CA promotion and implementation.
He added that he wanted the FAO to include CA for both small-scale and commercial farmers of Zimbabwe. He noted that agricultural production and productivity have been declining in most African countries, which is causing food insecurity at household and national level. The problem is further compounded by temperature and rainfall variability as a result of climate change and high agricul-tural inputs costs, among other things. He concluded by saying that CA, through its principles of minimum mechanical soil dis-turbance, maintenance of soil cover and inclusion of legumes in rotation and other cropping sequences, has the potential to address soil fertility decline and preserva-tion of moisture by promoting increased infiltration of rainwater and reducing loss by evaporation.
More than 18 countries from the South-ern African Development Community (SADC) and East Africa were represented at the workshop. The meeting noted that the adoption of CA is inevitable in Africa as up to 80% of households depend on agriculture for survival and low agricultural productivity combined with other factors causes chronic food insecurity in some countries. CA has the potential to increase productivity while protecting the natural resource base under changing climatic conditions. CA can also ensure higher yields, a buffer against droughts, reduced production costs (60% less fuel), increased farm profitability, reduced soil erosion and improved physical and chemical properties in the soil.
It was also noted at the meeting that African countries are showing increasing interest in adopting CA, which is govern-ment policy in Lesotho, Mozambique, Tan-zania and Zambia. There is a significant uptake in Mozambique, Zambia and Zim-babwe. CA is in fact a special focal point in all SADC countries except in the DRC, Mauritius and the Seychelles. Current CA documentation needs to be updated to provide better insight into the extent of CA
Mr Mutizwa is demonstrating to the delegates during the site visit at his farm. He is practising CA – also known as “Farming God’s way” in the Chishawasha village outside Harare.
Mr Munatsi is the owner of the Kunatsa Estate and is explaining to the delegates how to use the machines during planting and harvesting.
from p. 6
to p. 8
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July 2010 DAFFnews No. 78
practice and integration into national and regional plans and programmes.
Policy makers and extension officers undertook the study tour to Zambia from 6 to 8 April 2009 and eight countries partici-pated. Another study tour was conducted for farmers, union representatives and extension officers from 10 to 12 March 2010 and 14 African countries partici-pated, including South Africa. About 200 000 out of 1,3 million farmers are prac-tising CA in Zambia. In Zimbabwe, about 100 000 farmers are also practising CA with the exception of A1 and A2 farmers. COMESA strengthens the CA supply chain in targeted areas by engaging the private sector and other service providers to facili-tate access to CA equipment, implements, materials, chemicals and machinery. It supports the mechanisation of CA and transfers the technology development of CA. Also, it plans to set up a regional centre of excellence on CA in Zambia and works with regional and national centres of excellence for technology development, diffusion and transfer.
Some field trips were undertaken during the workshop so that policy and decision makers and farmers’ unions could be encouraged to see these practices in the community and among small-scale and commercial farmers. The purpose of site visits was to create greater awareness of CA activities and of the potential benefits of CA in improving food security and to explore ways of embracing CA in national and regional plans and programmes.
The other trips undertaken were to Nyarukunda Village, the Shamva District and Kunatsa Estate Commercial Farming. Kunatsa Estate is a leading commercial farming enterprise in the Matepatepa area of the Bindura District, Mashonaland Central Province, owned by the Munatsi family since October 2001.
The farm is located 45 km north of Bindura town and 135 km from Harare. The farm has a total area of 1 131 hec-tares, of which 535 ha is arable. All of
Towards LandCare through conservation agriculture
it is irrigable. There are 125 permanent workers and between 40 and 80 sea-sonal workers at any one time. The farm specialises in grain crop production under conservation tillage.
The mainstay crops are commercial soya beans, maize, wheat and barley, and seed crops. Other crops are hor-ticultural (pecans, potatoes, butternuts or vegetables) which are grown to fill in production gaps. There is also a small but
from p. 7
Mr Ramakgwale Mampholo, the DAFF Acting Director: Land Use and Soil Management, and Mr Matsobane Selemela; Senior Manager of Natural Resources Management in the Limpopo Department of Agriculture during the field visit at Chishawasha Village outside Harare.
Mr Prince Makinana: Deputy Director LandCare from the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture and Mr Joe Gondo: President of the National Agricultural Farmers Union (NAFU) during the group photo session in Harare.
During the current season (2009–2010), Kunatsa Estate has the following summer crops in the field: commercial maize 276 ha, maize silage 9 ha, commercial soya beans 210 ha and seed soya beans 25 ha. All cropping on the farm is practised under various forms of conservation tillage.
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No. 7 DAFFnews July 2010 9
The high failure rate of land reform projects and emerging farmers has led to the founding of the Standard Bank Centre for Agribusiness Leader-ship and Mentorship Development, an institution designed to address current challenges in the agricultural sector.
According to Willie du Plessis, Director of Agricultural Banking at Standard Bank, “The Standard Bank Centre for Agribusi-ness Leadership and Mentorship Develop-ment is a response to calls by government for pri-vate-public partnerships in the agricultural sector. The venture established in partnership with Stellen-bosch University aims to link emerging farmers with the commercial agri-food value chain and promote economic development and growth. Standard Bank believes that by in-creasing access to educa-tion, information and the agricultural value chain, emerging farmers stand a better chance of making a meaningful contribution to the economy of the country”.
This initiative, the first of its type in South Africa, is in line with Standard Bank’s approach to corporate social investment projects which is to concentrate on creat-ing a sustainable solution where funda-mental needs are addressed.
Prof. Mohammad Karaan, Dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University, says the South African agricul-tural sector plays a key role in economic growth and development through food and fibre production. A major challenge for South Africa is therefore to be found “in successful and sustainable agricultural development and land reform to underpin a competitive, equitable and environmen-tally sustainable agricultural production capacity. The Centre will position the
Stellenbosch University to engage with the agribusiness environment to develop the required human capacity and knowledge systems to play a leadership role in this context”. Tina Eboka, Director of Group Corporate Affairs at Standard Bank, had this to say: “The bank’s investment in the Standard Bank Centre for Agribusiness Leadership and Mentorship Development is driven by a desire to make a sustainable
social impact and to derive business divi-dends from socially relevant investments. Standard Bank believes that by leveraging its vast resources, its investment in com-munities can have a positive social as well as mutual economic benefit. In the case of the Standard Bank Centre for Agribusi-ness Leadership and Mentorship Develop-ment, we believe that money alone will not assist emerging farmers. In keeping with Standard Bank’s aim of connecting people we have invested monetary as well as our collective skills and expertise to help establish sustainable and successful agribusinesses.”
The project consists of two separate, interactive sets of programme activities.
Stellenbosch University will initiate and coordinate a multidisciplinary postgradu-ate level education including Ph.D. and master’s degrees. Current students as well as established leaders in the agribusiness sector benefit from these postgraduate studies.
Secondly, a mentorship programme will establish a “learning-by-doing” experience through various accredited short courses and
the development of a database of projects and mentors that participants of the scheme can draw from. PriceWa-terhouseCoopers will be one of the strategic partners involved in the development and presentation of the short courses.
Mr Du Plessis says, “This new centre will create a platform to engage and leverage off new business opportunities and agribusi-ness partnerships across the country. Standard Bank’s recently established R500 million agriculture BEE fund will further contribute to the development of emerging farmers in South Africa. The
main purpose of this agricul-tural BEE fund is to connect agribusinesses to land reform projects and emerging farmers in a sustainable manner whilst exposing Standard Bank to bankable op-portunities”.
The Standard Bank Centre for Agribusi-ness Leadership and Mentorship Develop-ment has been endorsed by the national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Agricultural Business Chamber and aims to help emerging farmers to enter the mainstream agricul-tural sector.
For more information contact: Ross Linstrom at Standard Bank
Tel: 011 636 3629.
Centre to support transforma-tion in agricultural sector
Sector
July 2010 DAFFnews No. 710
The two-day summit for farm workers and farm dwellers held in East Lon-don, to take stock of challenges facing people living and working on farms, painted a gloomy picture of how these people continue to live under undesir-able conditions 16 years into the new dispensation.
Following the reconfiguration of govern-ment after the country’s last democratic elections, rural development and land reform has been prioritised as one of the five key government priorities over the next five years, together with education, health, unemployment and the fight against cor-ruption. Many political writers and com-mentators have therefore suggested that this new approach by government will ensure redress on issues that were not properly addressed in the earlier years of the country’s democracy.
The East London indaba, organised in the Amothole district municipality, revealed the desperation of masses of farm workers who openly spoke about the unfavourable way of life on farms. Speaker after speaker relayed the lack of development in their areas compounded by unfair treatment meted out to them by farm owners. “We struggle with almost everything in these areas because the government is not giv-ing us anything. Even the wages we receive from farm owners are very low,” said Ms Ayanda Magwaza of Mthatha.
Addressing the summit, Eastern Cape Premier Ms Noxolo Kieviet said the coun-try’s history is tainted with incidents of employers mistreating their employees and that there was a continuation of this. She added that the country was progressive in nature and that only sporadic incidents still occur. “We live in a country which supports human rights and we know that there is a lot of work to be done so that the shackles of oppression can be broken. We must never rest until such time as we have won this struggle,” she said amid much applause.
The country’s sad past must always be a reminder to the South African populace of
how much they need one another today, even more than ever before. Many of the redress strategies have had loopholes and little was done to ensure that people liv-ing in the countryside are elevated from a life of squalor and misery. Premier Kieviet placed much emphasis on nation building in the context of our past, saying people needed to exist alongside each other and to believe in the future of this country.
On day two of the East London indaba, breakaway commissions were convened to deal with issues such as the living conditions on farms, working conditions on farms and matters affecting the for-estry sector. Among some of the issues dominating the commissions’ discussions, delegates complained about the lack of electricity and running water, proper
ECape Farm Workers’ Summit reveals a sorry state of farm life
By Percy Sepaela
ablution facilities, education in farming areas, transportation and its costs and the lack of other many social amenities. Arguably, these concerns are not unique to the Eastern Cape but also prevalent in other rural provinces.
Later, the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Eastern Cape, Mr Mbulelo Sogoni, explained that the im-provement of conditions on farms made it necessary to open bilateral talks with farm owners. These talks, according to Mr Sogoni, should reassure the landowners about the important role they must play in the reconstruction and advancement of the country. He also agreed with the rec-ommendations emanating from the com-missions for the creation of agri-villages, among others.
Eastern Cape Premier Ms Noxolo Kieviet at the summit for farm workers and farm dwellers held in East London.
Delegates during one of the breaka-way sessions.
Provincial
No. 7 DAFFnews July 2010 11
Limpopo combating desertification
ECape Farm Workers’ Summit reveals a sorry state of farm life
The Limpopo MEC for Agriculture, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba hosted the Pro-vincial World Desertification Day at Thokwane Village, in the Greater Tu-batse Municipality of Sekhukhune Dis-trict on 29 June 2010. She was joined by leadership from both political and traditional origins in celebrating this international occasion which marked the history in our liberation and par-ticipation in the global community. The celebration has drawn participants from communities, land users, farm-ers, media, civil society organisations, NGOs, government departments, pri-vate sector in marking this day.
17 June 2010, commemorates the sixteenth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention to combat Desertification (UNCCD) and is observed as World Day to Combat Desertification. This year’s theme of the World Day to Combat Desertification is “Enhancing soils anywhere, enhances life everywhere”. This caption is consistent with the theme of 2010 being the International Year dedicated to Biodiversity. The day has been observed since 1995 to sensitise the public about the fact that desertification, land degradation and drought significantly af-fect the biodiversity resident in the soil and thus threatening the human livelihood.
Degradation of landDesertification is a serious degradation
of land in dry and semi-dry areas that is primarily caused by human activities and climatic variations over the long-term. There is a close relationship between liveli-hoods and soils that are rich in biodiversity. Healthy soils produce life, and yet soil health depends a lot on how individuals use their land. What we do to our soils determines the quality and quantity of the food we eat and how our ecosystems serve us. Our increasing ecological inter-dependence also means enhancing soils anywhere, enhances life everywhere.
In her address, MEC Letsatsi-Duba in-dicated that the marking of this day was hosted nationally by Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Re-joice Mabudafhasi in Upington, Northern Cape on 17 June 2010 as a response to international obligation to which South Africa forms part. She referred all the at-tendants to the surrounding area where the event was held, pointing out the level of land degradation that has afflicted the area which will consequently lead to deser-tification if the situation is not halted.
She said, “If we can all look around, our beautiful mountains have no longer trees, but bare stones; perennial rivers are now dry; the once beautiful vegetation cover is continuing leaving some bare patches ex-posing the soil to erosion; grazing areas of unique types of grass have been replaced by the emergence of alien and invader plants; our natural springs and wetland are continually degraded; our indigenous forest is degrading through deforestation; unsustainable mining practices; the vagar-ies of climatic conditions notably drought, floods, veld fire have compounded this scourge. Where are we heading to?”
Growth and developmentShe emphasised that the province is
guided by Limpopo Employment, Growth and Development Plan (LEGDP) which has identified Environmental and Natural Resources Management as one of the pil-lars for growth and development. She said Limpopo’s unique endowment of natural resources is a blessing of an indispensible wealth that need to be looked after for both “our survival and of the generation to come”.
Ms Letsatsi-Duba highlighted that Limpopo has diverse soils which vary in productivity and which are also vulnerable to various forms of degradation (physical, chemical and biological), hence appropri-ate management strategies are critical if
productivity of the soils is to be improved and sustained. She said her department through the community based LandCare Programme dealt with unsustainable land management practices.
She mentioned that Sekhukhune is hardly hit by land degradation and Gov-ernment was doing something about it, hence Limpopo’s Premier Cassel Mathale recently launched the Greening Limpopo Programme at Jane Furse in the same district as part of the expansion areas for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). She said the planting of trees and other associated activities will provide measures to curb land degradation and to deal with impacts of climate change.
Trees for firewoodShe noted that the greening is often
derailed by people who indiscriminately cut down trees for firewood. “This is a seri-ous setback as it removes soil cover which leads to soil erosion. She urged people to use deadwood and invader species for firewood. As such people were encour-aged to plant trees in their homesteads, church yards, school yards etc.,” the MEC advised.
She made the community aware of the conducted research which has unveiled the baseline study that about 75% of land in the country is affected by soil erosion and that measures should be in place to reduce it to 55% by 2014. She concluded by saying, “let’s join hands together and fight against any form of degradation of natural resources as the theme of this year dictate. If we are to preserve our treasured natural resource we must act now and we must act decisively.”
She encouraged everyone to continue supporting the World Cup till the last day. “Let us show the world that we are a caring nation, and we are proud to be the host of the FIFA 2010 World Cup,” she urged everyone.
Provincial
July 2010 DAFFnews No. 712
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), in recognising an urgent need to ad-dress the rapidly escalating problem of rhino poaching in South Africa, has developed a project to strengthen the security of rhino in South Africa.
The Rhino Security Project is addressing concerns on privately owned game farms as well as in formally protected areas by improving communication between rhino owners and the relevant government of-ficials will also support investigations into rhino poaching incidences, working with relevant bodies to identify causes and drivers of the trade in rhino horn and enhancing current knowledge of, and in-formation on the demographics of rhinos in situ in collaboration with other existing initiatives.
Through the EWT’s Rhino Security Project it has become evident that members of the public often become aware of informa-tion about poaching incidents or the sale of rhino horns which should be reported to the authorities for action. In response to this, the EWT has established a Rhino Poaching Hotline to which information can be submitted for appropriate action by the enforcement agencies or other bodies.
The EWT Rhino Hotline number is 082 404 2128 . We call on every person who is aware of any illegal or suspicious activi-ties related to rhino poaching or the sale, movement and/or trade in their horns, to make use of this number in order to get the information to the relevant enforce-ment agencies. Also call this number if you know of pilots or veterinarians involved in poaching through the use of aircraft and scheduled drugs and the unethical conduct of any professional hunters or outfitters to obtain rhino horn for the trade. All information will be channelled through the EWT’s Rhino Security Project’s lines of communication to the relevant authorities for investigation. Any person who wishes to stay anonymous may do so and details of callers will be protected.
With 153 rhino having been poached between January and the end of July this year, it is time for every South African citizen becomes involved in the fight against the wanton killing of our rhino. In addition too the illegal shooting of rhino by poachers
on foot, there are also those who operate from the air with helicopters and dart guns. We believe there are individuals who have valuable information that will greatly assist in these investigations and we urge them to make use of the Rhino Poaching Hotline to report this information.
We also request all landowners who have been approached by individuals of-fering to dehorn their rhino as a security measure, and at the same time buying these horns, to report this. It is an offense
Rhino poaching hotline launched
to capture and dehorn rhino if you are not in possession of a valid permit which authorises this activity. Such horns must then immediately be microchipped and declared to the authorities so that posses-sion permits can be obtained for them. It is also illegal to buy, donate, sell or dispose of rhino horn in any way whatsoever if you are not in possession of a valid permit which authorises this.
It is a criminal offense not to report wildlife crime!
The abnormal heavy rains experienced in the Free State and Limpopo earlier in the year and the recent severe frost that hit the Limpopo and Loskop Valley (Marble Hall) potato production areas, led to an estimated drop of 100 000 ton in the 2010 South Africa potato crop. This represents a decrease of about 5% in the total annual crop.
The rains also affected the quality of the potatoes negatively which led to an increase in rejections by the processing companies. The frost affected the potatoes planted in March to May 2010 in the Lim-popo and Loskop Valley production areas in particular and the loss is estimated at about 33 000 ton, or otherwise 3.3 million
10 kg bags.The impact of the frost damage on the
availability of potatoes should be seen on the fresh produce markets and shop shelves later this month. It is anticipated that potato will remain relatively scarce until the end of October, where after it will return to normal. However, it would be subject to normal climate conditions being experienced.
Potatoes are currently trading at higher than normal price levels (average price of R3.30 per kg). Further upward pressure on prices is expected as soon as the impact of the frost damage filters through to the markets.
