Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Minister, has the department established whether a link or correlation exists between job losses in agriculture and provinces where a high number of land claims have been completed? What combined strategy does the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development follow to address these job losses? Thank you.
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Madam Deputy Speaker, no such investigation or research exists. So I would be purely thumb sucking if I would respond to the member. And yes, we do have a very good working relationship with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, and together we are working on addressing the job losses in the sector. Thank you very much.
Particulars regarding the number, location and status of irrigation schemes in the country and their contribution to ensuring food security and empowering people
247. Mrs M E Pilusa-Mosoane (ANC) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
(a) How many irrigation schemes are there in the country, (b) where is each scheme located, (c) what is its status and (d) in what way does each contribute to ensuring (i) food security and (ii) empowering people? NO3841E
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Chairperson, there are 453 irrigation schemes in the country, totalling 490 787 hectares. There are 51 irrigation schemes in the Eastern Cape, covering 81 076 hectares. The Free State province has 12 irrigation schemes; Gauteng has 6; KwaZulu- Natal has 44; Limpopo has 180; Mpumalanga has 35; the Northern Cape has 26, covering 131 434 hectares; whilst the North West province has 24 irrigation schemes, which cover 45 000 hectares. The Western Cape has 75 irrigation schemes, covering 126 000 hectares.
The irrigation schemes are functional to various levels of operation. Unfortunately, a large number of the smallholder irrigation schemes are suffering reduced efficiency or have collapsed. In some instances some of the commercial irrigation schemes have been underutilised and are in need of upgrading and re-establishment. The collapsed or reduced efficiency of these irrigation schemes is due to various reasons, including conflict, lack of farmer participation, lack of markets, as well as a need for the upgrading of infrastructure and equipment. Those that are being brought to increase operation include those that are being addressed by initiatives undertaken by provinces as well as the department.
In KwaZulu-Natal, an allocation of R30 million has been made to the Makhathini Irrigation Scheme. This will be used for the replacing of pipelines and fittings, maintenance of the roads, as well as repairs. The irrigation-related projects which were identified by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial Department of Agriculture also related to the R13 million of the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, Casp, budget, which was used mainly to address vegetable production, broilers and the refurbishment of irrigation.
We also have the Limpopo business plans of R29 million. Mpumalanga has allocated R2,7 million for the development of irrigation infrastructure, as well as R4 million for the installation of irrigation infrastructure ...