Western Cape tables R1bn agriculture budget

Western Cape Agriculture Minister Dr Ivan Meyer has tabled a budget of R1,018 billion, which is 6% more than the previous budget.

Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape, said the organisation was encouraged by the budget.

“Given the challenging fiscal climate and many challenges facing the agriculture sector, the allocation of funds is a difficult task. Agri Western Cape is of the opinion that Minister Meyer has prioritised well the allocation of available funds to address prevailing challenges in the sector,” he said.

Strydom was particularly impressed by the fact that the allocation to sustainable resource use and the management programme was increased by 46% to R196,2 million. “Given the extent of damage caused by last year’s floods, it is gratifying to learn that the river protection works budget has been increased by R20 million to R38,5 million,” he said.

“The additional

R38 million budgeted for the support of flood damage also brings hope to producers affected by this, while national financial support is still awaited.”

About R216 million was allocated to producer support services, R35,4 million to the department’s extension and advisory services, and R16,7 million towards food security initiatives.

Along with this, R57,8 million was allocated to provide animal health services to prevent and control animal diseases; R97,8 million to improve agricultural production through research, focusing on mitigation and adaptation options for farmers in response to climate change;

R30,6 million to provide production economics and marketing services to agri-businesses; and R48,2 million to education and training, and agricultural skills development.

The minister announced that the refurbished SANAS-accredited Provincial Veterinary Laboratory had reopened for business.

This laboratory is an important role player in enhancing the biosecurity of the agriculture sector in the Western Cape.

Meyer said the budget would support the Western Cape government’s growth strategy, aimed at building a trillion-rand jobs-rich, inclusive, sustainable, diverse and resilient provincial economy that would be growing at 4% to 6% per year in real terms by 2035.

SUPPLIED Western Cape Agriculture Minister Dr Ivan Meyer drives a tractor from Green Market Square, which used to be the Cape Town market, to Parliament to give his budget speech.