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Debate on Premier's State of the Province address
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Agriculture

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EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS

MEC MAX MAMASE ON THE DEBATE ON PREMIER STOFILE'S STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS

ON 14 FEBRUARY 2000



INTRODUCTION

There is a growing acceptance that the world economic realities have dictated a stringent fiscal framework for our country.

This approach has imposed senior rigid limitations on our capacity to improve the living conditions of the people of this province.  The 
budget is not shifting from consumption to capital and developmental resources are not growing.  On this basis the Provincial Government 
embarked upon developing an integrated development strategy, which subsequently gave rise to initiation of development plans based on the 
priorities of the Provincial Government.

The major focus of this approach is integrated rural development, informed by the spatial nature of our provincial economy and its dual 
character, Urban and Rural.

Agriculture as indicated by the Premier, the policy provides that we must move away from subsistence to commodity production.  The process 
of commoditisation imposed upon government a need to assist in the development of a  market infrastructure.  A Fresh Produce Market is just 
about to be launched in Umtata, consulting engineers have concluded the market study.  The Land Survey in all completed areas revealed that 
vegetable production and horticultural products can be produced on an alarming scale in the area only if the current systems/methods of 
production are transformed.

I’ll go to town on this subject when I present our agricultural strategy, which addresses how do we implement our Eastern Cape Agricultural 
policy.

Mr. Speaker we felt as a department that integrating programmes/projects with other departments is one thing, integrating our own 
departmental programmes is quite another.  As a consequences of this, we developed what we call integrated livestock and crop development 
strategy. This strategy for the information of this house has brought together the department, ARC and Dohne as the undergirding tools and 
implementation instrument.  They are focusing on five pilot projects in key strategic areas intended to boost rural lively hoods and also 
improve rural living conditions.  This strategy has won the Impumelelo Prestige Award.   This award is given annually to best the 
Integrated Rural Development strategies.

The province of Eastern Cape in year 1999, I announce that it has taken this award with flying colours, but once more Mr.Speaker winning an 
award is one thing improving rural economy is quite another.  This clearly demonstrates that the Provincial Development Plan which we 
already have is going to achieve this if it is used as a measure of this individual performance of the Department of Agriculture.  It is 
against this background that departments in year 2000 are integrating their programmes so that they can maximise their input and enjoy 
significant visibility.

While integrated rural development remains a major focus, this integration also implies that both rural and urban economics must be 
integrated.  The demarcation of boundaries, the wall to wall approach becomes a foundation for this integration.

The High value crops programme of Hemp, and Sugar Beet are on course.  Their introduction and their success will turn the economy of this 
province from an agricultural point into both caring and development remains central in all of our endeavours

Mr. Speaker. Delivery patterns in our assessment appear to be skewered once more not as a result of discrimination but as a consequence of 
lacking abilities in regions which are predominantly rural.  Our integrated rural development approach is addressing this phenomenon, and 
also Mr. Speaker rural local economic development must remain the intervention strategy driven by local authorities.  The integrated 
development plans and land development objectives are the essential ingredients of local economics.

DIPPING We are aware that tick borne diseases directly result from poor dipping.  The dipping policy is still with stakeholders and 
interested parties. This function in my view can best be performed at District Council level.  It has to be performed as a provincial 
funded agency function.  Money has since been made available, farmers and communities will start dipping this week.

Mr. Speaker, the government has adopted a tough and uncompromising attitude in all respect.  The Public Service laws Amendment Act has now 
given us legal provisions to deal with lethargy and complacency. Many departmental official out of their own making have become victims 
this Act by organising themselves as ducks in a row of the firing line.

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