Premiers of KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, North West and Mpumalanga detailed their plans for the future in this year’s State of the Province Address (Sopa), pointing to strong support for agriculture in each province.
On Friday, 24 February, Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mbuyane promised farmers 184 agricultural-related infrastructure projects in his Sopa, which is said to cost the provincial government R139 million.
Mbuyane said his province managed to successfully complete 91 infrastructure projects, benefitting 1 549 smallholder farmers, and creating 921 jobs.
“Agriculture is a sector where we have a comparative advantage. We want to increase the contribution of the sector to the gross domestic product (GDP) and create employment opportunities for our people,” he said.
Investment in Eastern Cape agriculture
He also mentioned investment in various agricultural commodities in the province. “We are further investing R50 million to support commercial-scale production in fruits, grains, livestock, vegetables, piggery, and poultry commodities.
“Our province is the second largest producer of citrus in the country after Limpopo. Citrus growers in our province were adversely affected by the price hikes on a number of inputs due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.”
Mbuyane vowed that measures would be put in place to assist farmers affected by input price hikes.
South Africa is currently facing a veterinarian shortage, partly due to the University of Pretoria being the only institution in the country to offer a bachelor of veterinary science degree (BVSc). The Eastern Cape has been on a mission to launch a veterinary faculty at Fort Hare, but with little success.
Mbuyane said, “The work of establishing a veterinary faculty at Fort Hare is progressing. We hope a declaration will be made before the end of this term by the minister of higher education, science, and innovation.”
Furthermore, he encouraged agricultural graduates to take advantage of the 10 000 employment opportunities currently available nationwide, with 1 500 of those available in the Eastern Cape. “The graduates who have qualifications in agriculture must grab this opportunity with both hands.”
Mabuyane pointed out successes seen with the Magwa Tea Estate which has provided 15 888 new jobs. Also, 91 hemp cultivation licenses have been issued to small-scale farmers in the province. This is said to be the highest number compared to other provinces.
KZN to focus on agricultural hubs
Despite a little drama that ensued ahead of the Sopa, KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomsa Dube-Ncube delivered her speech announcing a budget of R152 million. This will be spread out over three years and made available to the department of agriculture in the province for agricultural hubs.
These hubs will be for red meat, wool, dairy, fresh produce, and grain. Dube-Ncube said the hubs would be located in the uMgungundlovu and Zululand district municipalities, as well as the uThukela, eThekwini, and uMgungundlovu. Harry Gwala, King Cetswayo, and Amajuba district municipalities.
“More funding institutions have already expressed their desire to partner with the provincial government on implementing this catalytic programme. The MEC will give more on this programmes, including goat farming,” Dube-Ncube said.
The premier also introduced the “one home garden” programme, meant to fight poverty in rural and township areas. “The production of our own seed is vital to ensure food security, and in this regard, the government will support the planting of 6 293 hectares to produce 10 million seedlings in a period of 12 months. 115 jobs for youth will be created for this programme.”
Dube-Ncube added that previously closed abattoirs must be investigated by the department with urgency, and revived.
North West avails land
Meanwhile, in North West, a total of 34 000 hectares of land will be made available to farmers ranging from youth, women, persons living with disabilities, military veterans, and emerging commercial farmers.
This was announced by North West premier Bushy Maape. He said that local government would ensure agriculture has an enabling environment to work in. Agriculture is the province’s second-largest economic driver.
Maape said collaboration with the Independent Development Trust would see major agricultural projects being unveiled in the coming months. These will include the Springbokpan grain silos, Kgora farmer training centre, Selame poultry, and Melton research farm.
“The Taung Irrigation Scheme in partnership with other stakeholders is at an advanced stage to finalise the Vaalharts-Taung Irrigation Master Plan, which will assist in soliciting investment for actual implementation [of these projects].”
Road maintenance was also featured in his speech. Maape said they would roll out a massive routine road maintenance plan on critical surface and gravel roads in the entire province, and R13 billion will be budgeted for this.
“We have listened to the cries of our communities, farmers, business people, and transport industry in general who are affected daily by the poor state of the roads. We are taking action to repair, maintain and upgrade most of the roads,” he said.
The premier also called for an end to land grabs, which are affecting the country’s economy. The illegal occupation of farms impacts negatively agricultural activities, and Maape discourages such practices in the province.
Funds have also been set aside to enhance the capacity of municipalities to prevent and combat veld fires. Plans are in place for fire belts, stretching for 1 200 km.
Support programme in Mpumalanga
Meanwhile, the premier of Mpumalanga Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane applauded the provincial government’s fortune 40 programmes, aimed at supporting commercial farmers.
Mtshweni-Tsipane mentioned one of the beneficiaries of the programme, Lebogang Mashigo.
Mashigo attended the Sopa and said it was important for the government to realise that agriculture had the potential to create jobs.
“I am happy that the premier recognises that agriculture is a leading sector that creates many jobs and deserves support. I am also very excited that there is financial support for the sector, it is not enough but we appreciate what is made available,” Mashigo said.
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