ICYMI: Millions for NC farmer support, development

MEC for Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole is once again prioritising farmer support and development in the Northern Cape.

Addressing the Legislature during the tabling of her budget vote on Thursday, 22 June, Manopole allocated R244 962 million of her R706.850 million budget for the 2023/2024 financial year towards farmer support and development.

“The department will focus on providing support to households in order to curb food insecurity and it will also provide support to all categories of farmers with special emphasis on red meat, grain and vineyard, as well as improvements of on-farm and off-farm infrastructure,” Manopole said.

Livestock farmers can look forward to livestock water and livestock handling facilities, Manopole said. The department plans to support 600 red meat-producing smallholder farmers during this financial year.

Furthermore, 20-grain producers and 75 vineyard farmers can expect support in the form of production inputs and advice on production and marketing.

“In support of food security in the province the programme intends to support 700 smallholder and 1200 subsistence producers,” she said.

Meanwhile, subsistence producers are said to be supported with garden and poultry starter packs.

Other priorities include establishing food gardens at schools, soup kitchens, community gardens and early learning centres. This will be done in collaboration with the sector Department of Education and Social Development, said Manopole.

Focus on abattoirs

Another key focus for the Northern Cape is veterinary services, which saw a budget allocation of R50 136 million.

According to Manopole, the aim of the programme is to provide veterinary services to clients to ensure healthy animals, safe animal products and support the health and welfare of the people of South Africa.

“Abattoirs in the province are facing various challenges such as rising input costs due to fuel prices and constant load shedding as well as low sheep numbers that have not yet recovered from the previous drought,” the MEC said.

Continuous power outages have also affected service delivery, making it difficult for Veterinary Public Health officials to perform their duties she added.

“These factors have contributed to a 17% decline in operational abattoirs in the province from 48 in 2022 to 40 in 2023, resulting in an estimated 181 job losses.”

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Incoming legislation

Manopole admitted that her province experienced a concerning rise in the illicit trade of game meat.

Public tip-offs have been instrumental in thwarting some of the unlawful activities which involve the illegal slaughter of game at unapproved establishments and the transportation of carcasses in vehicles that pose a risk to public health and safety, she said.

“The department will be providing support by having the abattoir approved where the partially dressed game carcasses can be de-skinned on the farm after harvesting as per Game Meat Regulations.”

Manopole is aware that the game meat industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to food security within the province. She said the legislation is currently being developed to support and facilitate the production of game meat.

“This legislative framework aims to enhance meat production, promote job creation and ultimately improve food security in the region,” she said.

Budget allocation per programme for 2023/2024 is as follows;