Creating a safer agricultural environment in Western Cape

PROVINCIAL NEWS - The Western Cape Department of Agriculture says it has done much over the past four years to protect and create a safer agricultural environment and farming communities.

This is according to Western Cape Agriculture Minister Dr Ivan Meyer who tabled the department’s budget of R1.018 billion in the provincial parliament on Tuesday 26 March.

Meyer said the important work of enhancing rural safety will continue and will be part of the budget spend for the 2024/25 financial year.

Over the last four years, they have been working together across government, the industry and with communities to create safer environments for all.

The following safety initiatives and programmes have been established/completed:

* A Rural Safety Desk and dedicated email address (DOA.Ruralsafety@westerncape.gov.za) where the agricultural sector and citizens can report incidents of crime.

* A Rural Safety Monitoring Dashboard which spatially logs safety incidents and monitors safety incidents through the Court Watching Briefing Unit within the Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety (POCS).

* The Rural Baseline Study on rural safety.

* A Rural Safety brochure and pocket guide, which is distributed at engagements and awareness sessions held, was aimed to share information on rural safety interventions and relevant contact numbers.

* A Western Cape Rural Safety Summit.

* Joint awareness and information sessions with the Mobility Department (Road Safety Management Unit) regarding rural safety, including pedestrian educational sessions, and safe transportation of agri workers.”

Meyer highlighted that his department's partnerships with rural communities and the 450 registered farm and neighbourhood watches play a critical role in realising the dream of a crime-free rural landscape.

“The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has added the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) and Philani Training & Development Solution to our list of partners and collaborators.

"By doing so we bring water safety to farming communities, support the fight against stock theft and with the support of producers, secure the training and employment of trained community health workers on farms in the Koue Bokkeveld,” said Meyer.

“With the support of my colleague, Ricardo Makenzie, the Western Cape Minister of Mobility, we will also continue to call on the National Government to amend the National Traffic Regulations to ensure that the transporting of agri workers on the back of trucks is effectively stopped.”

“Our farm workers and owners should be able to go about their business of feeding the nation and boosting our economy without having to be concerned that they will be targeted by criminals.

"We will therefore continue to forge ahead with plans to ensure that farmers, farmworkers and rural communities who are the backbone of our agricultural economy, are safe,” said Meyer.

Exports increased

Meyer said despite compounding challenges such as intensified delays and inefficiencies at South Africa's ports, increased geopolitical uncertainty, and load-shedding, the agriculture and agri-processing exports increased from R63 billion in 2018 to R104 billion in 2023, which is an annual average growth of 11%.

He announced the following key budgetary allocations:

R196.2 million to promote the sustainable use and management of natural resources. R40.3 million is budgeted for ecological infrastructure, R38.5 million for river protection works and R38 million towards flood damage support.
R216.4 million towards producer support services.
The Department’s Extension and Advisory Services have been allocated R35.4 million and R16.7 million will go towards food security initiatives.
R57.8 million 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.
R48.2 million towards education and training, and agricultural skills development.