NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 117
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 19 MARCH 2010 [IQP No 6 -2010] SECOND SESSION,
FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 117 for written reply: NCOP Mrs. EC van Lingen (DA-EC) to ask the
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
1) Whether any projects are currently in place for emerging farmers in
the (a) Sekhukhune District and (b)(i) Mahlatsi and (ii) Mafarafara
communities in the Greater Tubatse Municipality; if not, why not; if
so, (i) what outcomes have these projects achieved since inception up
to the latest specified date for which information is available, (ii)
what budget has her department made available for these projects and
(iii) what are the further relevant details;
(2) Whether her department is providing any financial support to the
emerging farmers of such communities to buy stock feed for their
livestock; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the nature of budget
which can be allocated to these communities in order to provide
immediate relief and (b) what are the further relevant details;
(3) Whether her department is providing any form of support to such
communities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Â
REPLY
(1) Yes,
(1) a Sekhukhune
⢠Total Number of infrastructure projects supported in 2009/2010 is
eighteen (18) and a further twenty three (23) is prioritised for
2010/2011.
⢠A total of twenty eight (28) projects benefited from LETSEMA Inputs
Support budget of R1,160, 000 in 2009/2010, with a total of five
hundred and thirty two (532) subsistence farmers receiving seeds,
fertilizers and chemicals.
(1) (b)(i) Yes,
Pretoria farm A (Aubrey Johnston)
(1) (b)(ii) Yes
Simple Farm (Mr Kgapane)
(b)(i) Here are the outcomes the projects have achieved:
⢠In Sekhukhune its mainly subsistence farmers whom have
managed to grow vegetables for home consumption however for:
⢠Pretoria Farm A: Aubrey Johnson: One hectare of cabbage and
one hectare of butternut were planted and as a result 4000
heads of cabbages and 600 bags of butternut were sold in the
Burgersfort market. Currently the farm is harvesting one
hectare of Lucerne.
⢠Simple Farm: Mr Kgapane: Has 100 layers for egg production.
To date 60 dozens of eggs have been sold.
(b) (ii) What budgets has the department made available for these
projects.
⢠In terms of the Sekhukhune district it is envisaged that
sixty two (62) projects which are in the hands of subsistence
farmers will benefit from the R4 000 000 (R4m) allocated to
the district for Ilima/Letsema for 20010/11.
⢠Pretoria Farm A: Aubrey Johnson: The farm was allocated R541
050.00 for the installation of a drip irrigation system for 5
hectares, building a storeroom and installation of
electricity.
⢠Simple Farm: Mr Kgapane: The farm was allocated R440 989,00
for the construction of a boiler house and installation of
electricity.
(b) (iii) What are further relevant details.
In both farms namely Pretoria Farm A and Simple Farm there are
two members (beneficiaries). In terms of Pretoria Farm the
complaint is about theft of electrical cables while Simple Farm
highlight the need for support for inputs like feeds and
medication for chicks.
(2) Yes,
a) Drought relief funds for five hundred and thirty two (532)
livestock farmers were provided for Mafarafara and
Mahlatsi including other surrounding communities. About 2500
bags of feed were sold at s ubsidized price to the
livestock farmers.
b) Farmers indicated they will need more funds for fodder.
3) Yes,
The support is in the form Technical and advisory services as
well as the provision of financial support through CASP and
Ilima/Letsema funds.