The province has thus far only used 55% of the R120 million that was allocated for CASP in 2009/10, with only two months left into the end of the financial year. One of the officials assured Committee Members that by the end of March, the Department would have used up the remaining 45% even if it means them buying equipment (most probably fencing) and keeping it. It was apparent that despite the need for CASP funding in the Eastern Cape, the provincial Department is still struggling to effectively utilise CASP funds, beyond infrastructure provision, for example, fencing, poultry structures, dipping tanks, etc. and to some extent, training of extension officers. The province maintained that they needed a capital investment in agricultural infrastructure of R350 million of which it has only received R190 million, which leaves a deficit of R160 million. On numerous infrastructure projects they have planned, for most of them less then 50% of the targeted outputs, were achieved by the third quarter of the financial year. With the serious skills shortages in its Extension Services, the province has trained a total of 132 Department officials, 95 on technical skills and 38 on general skills through its Extension Recovery Plan. For farmer training and capacity building, a total of 412 beneficiaries were given accredited training on various farming programmes.