NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 1427
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2009 [IQP No 18 -2009] FIRST
SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 1427 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr P J C Pretorius (DA)
to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
(1) Whether her department has taken any steps to assist emerging
farmers financially when defaulting on Land Bank loans; if so, (a) how
many farmers have been or will be assisted and (b) at what total cost;
(2) whether her department has budgeted for this expenditure; if so, what
amount; if not, how will this expenditure be funded;
(3) whether it is expected that more struggling farmers will be
financially assisted; if so, (a) how many, (b) at what cost and (c)
how will this additional expenditure be funded;
(4) whether she will make a statement on the matter; if not, why not?
NW1785E
REPLY
1. The Department (DAFF) in Consultation with the Department of Rural
Development and Land Reform and the Land Bank is currently exploring
ways of assisting emerging farmers who are in distress
(a) The number of farmers will be established once the status of
all farmers in distress is established
(b) The total costs (total mortgage and production costs) will be
calculated once (a) is established.
(c) The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)
will within the given budget and with relevant DFIâs and
Provincial Departments of Agriculture facilitate and provide for
production costs and the Department of Rural Development and Land
Reform consultation with the Land Bank is exploring ways and means of
assisting those farmers who are behind with their mortgage bonds
through amongst others the proactive land acquisition strategy
3. Struggling farmers will be assisted within Government Broader Support
Programmes (CASP, MAFISA, Land Bank Products, KHULA - MAFISA, etc).
(a) The number will be established once all the due processes are
concluded.
(b) See (a) above.
(c) From the current budget and the provincial equitable share
4. Statements on the matter will be made in and or after consultation
with MECâs responsible for Agriculture and or rural development