Gauteng ploughs R150 million into its agricultural programmes

Concerned about soaring food prices, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment (DACE) yesterday announced that it will invest almost half of its R354 million Budget for the year into agricultural projects.

Agriculture will this year receive R146 million for its programmes; representing a jump of almost 90 percent as compared to its share in the 2004/05 fiscal year.

"Communities here and abroad are confronted with dire challenges," DACE MEC, Khabisi Mosunkutu told lawmakers and members of the public yesterday at the Gauteng Legislature.

"The majority of the world is witnessing a new face of hunger - people who suddenly can no longer afford the food they see on store shelves," the MEC lamented.

Mosunkutu added that his department, in partnership with the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, will next month hold a Food Summit to discuss the recent food price increases.

The Summit will be held at Nasrec from 10-11 July.

"Together with various stakeholders - farmers, wholesalers, input suppliers and consumers - we shall examine the various factors that drive this food inflation," the DACE MEC said.

He stressed that as an effort of the collective that included all relevant stakeholders; "we must emerge from the summit with practical recommendations on how to tackle the challenge."

This move, the Gauteng Provincial Government says, is part of its efforts of laying a solid foundation for Vision 2014 which aims to half unemployment and poverty in the province.

Delivering his last budget speech before a new Exco is ushered in after next year's general election, MEC Mosunkutu touched on some his department's highlights since the 2004/05 financial year.

"In .(the) drive to halve poverty by 2014; 29 579 homestead food gardens were established between 2004/05 and the 2007/08 financial years. Additionally, over R108 million was spent on establishing 2 447 community food gardens," he said.

The DACE Veterinary Services Unit also made positive headlines for the department during MEC Mosunkutu's tenure. The unit was awarded the International Standards Organisation (ISO) 17 020 accreditation - a first for South Africa and Africa .

".(This) recognition .(is) bestowed upon the department for our vigorous meat inspection standards . The ISO 17 020 certificate also assures the international market of high quality meat exports from recognized participating abattoirs," the MEC said.

The department also added a feather in its cap because of its Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI), popularly known as the Green Scorpions. The inspectors work with enforcing environmental regulatory compliance and raising awareness about the environment. The work of the EMI landed the department the coveted platinum prize at the Impumelelo Innovation Awards earlier this year.

Mosunkutu further told the gathering that his department had also done well in stimulating faster economic growth by supporting emerging farmers during his period as MEC.

"Through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, 99 farmers were supported. Through this support, 118 poultry projects, 103 hydroponics projects, 99 piggery structures, 20 boreholes and 20 irrigation systems were established to assist emerging farmers," he said.

Moreover, nearly 2 000 emerging farmers received agribusiness and entrepreneurial skills.

The DACE aims to establish 32 new community food gardens and more than nine thousand homestead food gardens this year. Four thousand emerging farmers will be provided with various agricultural skills.

The department is also aiming to reach some 117 000 animals in disadvantaged communities through its Veterinary Unit this year. An amount of R28 million has been allocated for this work.

Five hundred and seventy-five Environmental Impact Assessment applications will be processed this year. "This process will certainly further contribute to the stimulation of economic growth," said the MEC.

The DACE will also earnestly begin the process of setting up a Protected Areas Register to help Gauteng manage and protect registered areas.

"Our conservation programme intends establishing 60 nurseries (and) implement conservation awareness projects that will reach at 7 500 pupils," Mosunkutu said.