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Policy Speech by MEC Mamase
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Agriculture & Land Affairs

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 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
 POLICY SPEECH FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS
 BY MEC MAX MAMASE
8 MARCH 2001



INTRODUCTION

Honourable Speaker and the Premier
 Members of our Provincial Legislature
 Guests
 Ladies and Gentlemen

Last year we presented a Strategic Policy Framework which was mostly based on rainfall, temperature variation and vegetation types. That 
gave us a strategic position to develop an Agricultural Plan, but we knew that we did not have all the scientific information at hand. This 
year we have made our soil type analysis, land capability assessment and we are able to identify soil fertility all around the Province. 
This information gave us a total picture of the agricultural potential in the Province. To continue unpacking the anatomy of this Province 
we had to ex-ray this potential so that it is able to meet the requirements of the different sectors within the agricultural sector.

We then concluded our investigation by determining twelve agro-ecological zones. As a result of similarities in rainfall, similarities in 
vegetation types, we were able to consolidate these into six agro-ecological zones. This Province is therefore planned according to these 
zones, which give a clear impression about grazing carrying capacity, areas for crop development, as well as the potential for high value 
crops in our Province.

This information demonstrates to us where the different types of animal disease may be found on a regional basis. The information indicates 
the incidents of ticks particularly along the coast which requires special strategies for their combat.

We have also conducted a study with the involvement of Pretoria University, Agricultural Research Council, University of Free State and our 
Dohne Agricultural Development Institute. These studies, in summary indicate that this Province has only unlocked 30% of its potential and 
is still importing 70% of the food and other agricultural products, which could in fact be produced in the Province. For instance, we are 
now aware that maize producers are currently producing less than half of the maize potential per hectare. A hectare can produce a maximum 
of four tons under dry land conditions in the high rainfall areas. A family consisting of nine individuals may consume approximately two 
tons of maize per year. If they were maximising their production per hectare, this family would in fact have a surplus of two tons. The 
present norm is that the majority of families in rural areas are purchasing food from outside.

These investigations make it imperative for the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs to finalise the Agro-ecological zones so that 
farmers can maximise the real potential of their land in this Province.

Mr Speaker, as we reflect on the Road Ahead, which will enable the Department to unlock the potential for agricultural production in the 
Province, strategies must be built on the Agro-ecological zones and the optimal utilisation of natural resources.

DETERMINATION OF AGRO ECOLOGICAL ZONES

The identified agro-ecological zones have provided a basis for us as the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs in conjunction with 
farmers to realise livestock improvement, crop production, agro-processing, soil conservation strategies which make best use in a 
sustainable way of the natural resources within each zone. The programmes for training and consultation, the advice given and farm planning 
for individuals and communities provided by extension officers, will be determined by these zones.

The information also demonstrates to us the quality of human resource required, what relevant training may be necessary, so that this shift 
from subsistence agriculture to commodity agriculture is enhanced within each agro-ecological zone.

SCIENTIFIC USE OF AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL IN THE PROVINCE

In order to promote the sustainable utilisation of natural resource we had to take into account the environment. We believed that 
sustainable development is about meeting the needs of the current population without compromising the needs of the future generation 
through negligence and poor farming practices which result in poor soil degradation.

First and foremost we have to plan these agro ecological zones in terms of the scientific basis for different land use. The agro-ecological 
zone will create the parameters within which each zone can be planned and will determine the nature of the farming systems. This will 
minimise encroachment and invasion of unwanted species, and prevent incorrect burning of veld. In order to provide the necessary legal 
framework to implement the appropriate land use within any particular zone, legislation on land use planning will have to be implemented. 
The Department will introduce a Land Use Planning Bill to this Legislature during this session.

FOUR OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The four policy objectives of the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs, namely:

* to promote sustainable utilization of natural resources,
* to encourage increased food and fibre production thus contributing to food security
* to stimulate increased economic activity from agriculture
* to provide enabling legislation

which are located within the Growth and Development Policy Objectives continue to inspire us in the strategies we are taking. These provide 
an exceptionally good basis for tackling Rural Poverty in a sustainable manner, providing an economic base for Rural Development and 
contributing to the availability and distribution of food within the Province. The Department’s programmes and projects have been adjusted 
to align themselves with these National and Provincial priorities while still fulfilling the long term objectives of the Departmental 
Policy.

TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE UTILISATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

To promote the objective of sustainable utilization of natural resources will be met through the land use planning which is intended for 
the promotion of the sustainable utilization of the natural resources.

To enforce this prerequisite as a Department we need to develop a Land Administration Bill which we will table in this house not later than 
November this year. It will enable us to manage the rural agricultural state land in terms of the demarcation, allocation and utilisation 
of land. At the moment there are a myriad of controlling bodies. As a result there is poor management of the land. This Bill is intended to 
coordinate all those controlling bodies so that we can accomplish our land use objective.

Within this objective of promoting the sustainable utilisation of natural resources a land care programme, which is supported by the 
National Department of Agriculture, will be promoted. Land care is about soil preparation, utilisation of rotational crops, the management 
of the soil, the maximisation of water retention and the avoidance of both water and wind erosion. The programme will actively promote 
practices such as the development and maintenance of contour systems to prevent further soil erosion.

In the Province of the Eastern Cape we have already embarked on this programme, demonstrating to farmers how to care for the land and at 
the same time how to maximise production through soil preparation.

We would like to refer the House to Land Use Maps on pages 9 to 19 which indicate current land use and the extent of degradation and eroded 
areas. For us as a Department we need to guard against practices which have the potential of bringing about an irreparable damage to the 
land. The massive degradation which has already happened must be arrested and any further degradation prevented through the active support 
by all living in this Province for the Land Care Programmes.

PROMOTE INCREASED FOOD AND FIBRE PRODUCTION

Mr Speaker, in order to provide food and fibre production thereby contributing to food security, the promotion of food and fibre production 
should be linked to increasing income opportunities through agro-industries. Factors that need consideration include livestock improvement. 
The quality of the herd since the livestock census indicates that the Province owns the largest herd in the Country of which the majority 
is in the hands of developing farmers as indicated in Table 1 page 20. Key to this is the improvement of the genetic pool of the herd. 
Comparatively speaking the commercial sector inspires us through the quality of animals they produce and the use of correct stocking 
densities which are in harmony with the carrying capacity of their grazing lands. This has unfortunately not been effectively applied in 
communal grazing areas which are not divided into camps in order to promote rotational grazing.

From the pasture management point of view we need to inform the farming communities where to farm and inform them about what animal species 
combinations suitable per agro ecological zone. The uncontrolled veld fires which have a negative impact on the grazing system should be 
discouraged and controlled through land administration. For a successful livestock production, statistics on calving on lambing and kidding 
must be improved. This is a reliable indicator of productivity of livestock. This information must be made available for all necessary 
appropriate management strategies such as dipping and vaccination programmes. These can be programmed on accurate records of mortalities 
and their causes. It is also essential in the determination of adverse effects of the various diseases that afflict the Provincial Herd. 
The database will also inform our breeding policy. The indigenous breeds are hardy, early maturing and relatively resistant to parasites. 
These breeds must be encouraged and be blended with other exotic breeds.

STIMULATION OF INCREASED ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

In order to encourage the Livestock Improvement Programme a Bill on the Improvement of Livestock will be presented to Legislation aimed at 
providing a legal framework through which the economic potential of the Provincial Herd can be realised. The Animal Identification Bill is 
also required in order to control the movement of livestock which will contribute to the prevention of crime and the facilitation of 
marketing of livestock.

In the Livestock Improvement Programme the control of disease is a major factor. The provision of scientific agro-ecological information 
will assist farmers in developing their disease prevention programmes. Farmers will have detailed information as to the occurrence of 
various diseases at specific times of the year. These diseases will be categorised into controlled (for the Public good) and non controlled 
(for Private good) and to spread various notifiable diseases such as Rabies, Foot and Mouth, Anthrax and Black Quarter.

Sheep Scab is a major problem in the Province, reducing the value of the annual wool clip. This must be a priority controlled disease 
working in close cooperation with the National Wool Growers Association as a strategic partner.

The proposed Animal Health Act which is being worked at both at National and Provincial level should be approved within the Province in 
order to support the control, prevention and cure of animal diseases.

Veterinary Public Health ensures the control of Zoonotic diseases to ensure that food of animal origin is not a threat to human health. 
Brucellosis and tuberculosis in the provincial herd are being monitored. The outbreak of foot and mouth disease in KwaZulu Natal pointed to 
a need to increase surveillance activity and a contingency fund for unexpected expenditure.

The Department is implementing a Meat Production and Marketing Strategy which seeks to create space for the participation of the communal 
farmer in the marketing of livestock. Although the largest proportion of the livestock is in the hands of communal farmers, their access to 
the markets has been very limited. In order to redress the situation, holding farms that will be managed by the farmers themselves have 
been identified in all the District Municipalities and negotiations are at an advance stage for the acquisition of the Abakhor. The holding 
farms will serve as reservoir for livestock to ensure constant supply to the abattoirs.

Technology development and transfer is responsible for research related to agriculture development. The research will lead to the 
publication and dissemination of information relating to production techniques and management of researched animals and crops to all 
farming communities. Needles to say, the productivity of the majority of farmers of the province is sub-optimal. This must be reversed 
through research. Dohne Agriculture Development Institute is well poised to co-ordinate this research function. As an autonomous 
institution, it could have the capacity to sustain itself without sacrificing research quality. Linkages between this autonomous institute 
and other institutes such as University of Fort Hare, CSIR, ARC, UNITRA etc. will introduce integrated research and information 
dissemination programs.

Crop breeding and establishment of new crops will be done at Dohne. There will be satellite research centers in all the agro-ecological 
zones where research at Dohne will be tested for purposes of expansion. Emphasis will be on Farm Systems Research-Extension model. Crop 
research includes Hemp, Olives, Chicory, and other high value crops. Cropping systems models are being developed towards improving existing 
indigenous cropping systems. Crop husbandry manuals carrying information on cultivation techniques, propagation, seeding rates, nutrient 
requirements, harvesting techniques for sustainable quality assurance, storage and post harvest techniques will be made available. 
Integrated Pest Management Program will be promoted in our quest to be environmentally friendly and reduce cost of herbicides.

Animal research includes Nguni breed improvement, expansion of genetic pool of the Bonsmara, Dohne Merino & Boergoat, and Cashmere and 
other projects.

Information dissemination will be intensified, as it is the most effective way of introducing researched work to farmers. Information days, 
pamphlets on production techniques of commodities of economic value will also be made accessible to the farmers. Extension officers will 
ensure the dissemination of the research information to intended end users. This requires specialized extension service. Agriculture 
scientists will concentrate on research and translation of research data into user friendly formats for extension officers and farmers.

Unless farmers are organized into commodity groups within the small-scale farmer group, services that the Department and other departments, 
NGO’s and Private sector offer become inaccessible. Formation of farmer associations as legal entities must be intensified. Agriculture 
Unions in the Province need to Unite into a single union to have a stronger voice and participation in farmers’ development.

Improvements in digital data collection, the integration of data bases within the Province and co-operation with the Agricultural Research 
Council and the Centre for Scientific Research, have enabled the Department to improve the accuracy of the Geographic Information System, 
making it possible to effectively zone land in the Province according to its production potential. This is contributing to the assistance 
that the Department can provide to District Municipalities, Municipalities and wards in developing integrated land use plans and 
development objectives. However, the Province still requires enabling legislation to control the use of land and ensure optimal economic 
and social sustainable use with the preservation of its potential. A Bill will be introduced for consideration to this House later this 
year.

New crops and enterprises have been introduced such as Olives, Hemp, Cashmere production and experimentation on various protein rich crops 
has been conducted. We are pleased to report that the anticipated Sugar Beet Industry is still on track and that exceptional yields of 
sucrose per hectare per annum have been obtained from trial plantings in the Fish River Valley.

Alongside these successes the Department has experienced serious challenges. The provision of extension services to farmers has been 
hampered due to the lack of operating funds within the budget. Critical staff appointments have been delayed. The rationalisation of the 
organogramme and dealing with staff additional to the establishment have also been delayed. The additional appropriation of R 105 million 
allocated to the Department in February of this year is welcomed, but its arrival so late in the year makes it difficult to invest through 
the required administrative systems and achieve the service delivery.

The Department has adjusted its organisational structure to conform to the demarcation of new District Municipalities and their constituent 
local Municipalities. Discussions are being held with the relevant authorities to harmonise agricultural services with their integrated 
development plans.

Mr Speaker, the successes in implementing our policy and strategies, despite the challenges we faced, gives us confidence to proceed with 
the Road Ahead, creating a Department that is effective in unlocking the agricultural potential of the Province, within the priorities of 
Provincial Economic and Social policy with a focus on Women, Youth and an awareness of the effects of aids.

The details of projects and programmes are being provided within the Budget White Book and the MTERF documentation. A total budget 
provision within the equitable share allocation is R468 261 000 which represents a decrease of 4,9% over the 2000/2001 budget. (See page 
21.) This is partly accounted for due to the extra appropriation given to the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs for personnel 
costs relating to arrear rank and notch promotions finalised in that year.

An amount of R367 211 000 has been provided for salary related expenditure for the Department. An amount of R7 000 000 has been provided 
for Transfers to Uvimba Bank and an amount of R10 960 000 to Fort Cox College. In order to establish the schemes as proposed within the 
Agricultural Development Act an amount of R19 915 000 has been provided for improvement of irrigation schemes, soil conservation works and 
improvement to other rural infrastructure. A provision of R8 000 000 has been made for the completion of the Umtata Fresh Produce Market 
which will be functional by November 2001.

CONCLUSION

Mr Speaker, Members of this House, I thank you for your attention and consideration of the Policy, Strategic Plans and Implementation 
Strategies of the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs which will lead invest R68 261 000 into Agriculture Services and Projects 
which will stimulate an emphasise on Food Security and Rural Development in addition to the normal long term programmes of the Department 
of Agriculture and Land Affairs, leading us to the Road Ahead in unlocking the agricultural potential of the Province of the Eastern Cape.

We are transition, no one expected it to be so hard and difficult, but as we continue progressing, the more we are told how difficult this 
transformation is; as if we expected it to be soft and smooth. Come what may, we are going to emerge as victors irrespective of all odds. 
Change is pain, but it is that pain that induces change to occur.

We know the environment and the set of circumstances under which we operate. As the African National Congress we have been around for 79 
years. We shall succeed and we must succeed.

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