The overall aim of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development is to create a globally competitive agriculture sector and sustainable environment in the province.
Theme – ‘Take Charge Africa’
This year has been declared the year of action in the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development, which seeks to encourage more people to engage in agricultural activities.
One Home One Garden
It is estimated that 580 000 households in KwaZulu-Natal are food insecure and to address this widespread problem the department has embarked on the One Home One Garden campaign. This development campaign has been well received by beneficiaries and stakeholders and will remain a permanent feature of the department. Over 650 000 households were assisted with seed to cultivate vegetables, maize and beans. Some 30% of the most deprived households received implements and fertiliser, as a starter pack, with over 34 000 packs distributed. The planting of fruit and indigenous trees is part of the campaign.
Rural Development Programme
The objective of the department’s Rural Development Programme is to ensure efficient and effective coordination and use of resources to improve the lives of people in rural communities. In this respect, Nkandla, Msinga and surrounds have been identified as Comprehensive Rural Development Programme pilot sites. The ultimate objective is to achieve economically, environmentally and socially sustainable integrated rural development. The department launched rural develop -ment forums in May 2010 in all district municipalities.
Farm Workers’ Summit
The department, together with organized labour, including farm workers’ unions, NGOs and community-based organisations, convened a Provincial Farm Workers’ Summit in Pietermaritzburg from 29 to 30 April 2010. Over 300 delegates attended the summit which had the theme ‘Towards a better life for vulnerable workers’.
Resolutions taken at the summit
1. The KZN Provincial Government will consolidate a comprehensive programme in line with provincial priorities.
2. Short-term intervention programmes will be implemented.
3. Based on the national summit, the provincial government will develop a long-term intervention programme.
4. The provincial government will ensure compliance and adherence to legislation to protect farm workers’ rights.
5. There will be consultation, involvement and democratic participation in all structures representing farm workers and farm owners.
Veterinary services
The department has embarked on a programme to improve livestock through primary healthcare and animal husbandry and a comprehensive rabies campaign to reduce rabies incidence in the province. A total of 326 695 animals were vaccinated during the 2008/09 period. It is anticipated that 550 000 animals will be vaccinated in the 2010/11 period.
Co-operatives
The department partnered with the Departments of Health and Economic Development and Tourism to assist seven cooperatives that have been awarded commercial tenders to supply their produce to 23 hospitals in various districts in the province. The aim is to support co-operatives until such time that they become sustainable.
Women and youth development
In the current financial year the department has facilitated activites such as career guidance, agriculture awareness programmes, garden competitions in schools, agriculture as a profession and environmental awareness campaigns to strengthen women and youth engagement within the department and in the sector.
Environmental management
The objective of environmental management is to strike a balance between the requirements of both economic development and environmental stability. One key project in this regard is the installation of five ambient air-quality monitoring stations at hotspots around the province. This is in place to monitor air quality in industrial areas and to then take decisions based on readings with regard to air-quality management.
Greening for 2010 Fifa World Cup
The department has used the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ as a platform to raise awareness about the environment. Some of the activities include planting of 4 000 trees and greening of public viewing areas.
Landcare
The landcare programme will support a total of 40 production projects including alien-weed control, grazing management, building of conservation structures, wetland management and donga rehabilitation. It is envisaged that the programme will create over 7 000 jobs.
Contact details
Key contacts:
Zakhele Nyuswa, Communications Manager
Raj Singh, Deputy Manager of Communications
Tel:
+27 33 355 9292 or +27 33 355 9008
Fax: +27 33 355 9543
Email: Nyuswaz@kzndae.gov.za or Raj.singh@kzndae.gov.za
Website: http://agriculture.kzntl.gov.za
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