access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food eliminating skewed participation and inequity in the sector maximising growth, employment and income in agriculture enhancing the sustainable management of natural agricultural resources and ecological systems ensuring effective and efficient governance ensuring knowledge and information management. The agricultural sector operates in an everchanging environment marked by, among others, the impact of climatic conditions on seasonal output, the rise in food prices and the continued decline in employment in the sector. The Department is therefore faced with the challenge to respond quickly and appropriately to these changing conditions, without sacrificing its long-term goals of transforming the sector.
In 1994, the Department inherited an agricultural sector that was not inclusive and did not reflect the demography of the South African society.
Land redistribution is a major policy instrument used for alleviation of asset poverty. Since 1994, 1,8 million hectares (ha) have been transferred to about 137 478 households.
available to commercial farmers, often at a high cost to government.
The Department was faced with the enormous challenge of addressing poverty, landlessness and a general skewed participation of black people, youth and women in the sector.
Government's response has been to ensure that the right of access to sufficient food and water, healthcare and social security is fundamental in the programmes implemented in the new democracy.
Within the context of implementation it is clear that government's role in terms of, policy-making and appropriate allocation of resources, needs to be complemented by the beneficiaries of government policy to partnerships which can result in innovation and the creation of jobs and income-generating opportunities.
The vision for the agricultural sector implies sustained profitable participation in the South African agricultural economy by all stakeholders. It recognises the need to maintain and increase commercial production, to build international competitiveness and to address the historical legacies that resulted in skewed access and representation.
Source: Directorate: Agricultural Statistics, Department of Agriculture equitable access and participation: the objectives of this strategy are to ensure equitable access to and participation in agricultural opportunities, to deracialise land and enterprise ownership and to unlock the full entrepreneurial potential in the sector global competitiveness and profitability: the aim of this strategy is to enhance profitability through sustained global competitiveness in the agricultural sector's input supply, primary production, agriprocessing and agritourism industries sustainable resource management: this strategy aims to enhance farmers' capacity to use resources in a sustainable manner and to ensure the wise use and management of natural resources.
lowering the overall cost of production.
increased wealth creation in agriculture and rural areas increased sustainable employment in agriculture increased income and foreign exchange earnings reduced poverty and inequalities in land and enterprise ownership improved farming efficiency improved national and household food security stable and safe rural communities, reduced levels of crime and violence, and sustained rural development improved investor confidence and greater domestic and foreign investment in agricultural activities and rural areas pride and dignity in agriculture as an occupation and sector. The national Department of Agriculture, the National African Farmers' Union (NAFU) and AgriSA have established an institutional framework to oversee the process of implementing the Strategic Plan. Through this mechanism, they have been able to stimulate the emergence of mentorships intended to ensure that the beneficiaries of land reform and agricultural development make good use of their land.
A sum of R3,7 million was transferred to the provinces in 2002 as a training component of the comprehensive farmer-support package. In the 2003/04 financial year, the Department allocated R10 million for this purpose.
The Plan challenges the partners to work for public-private partnerships in the area of research and development.
The National Agricultural Research Forum, a consultative forum where government, public entities, and educational institutions, are involved in agricultural research and technology development and transfer, in collaboration with the private sector, was launched in May 2002.
The Forum enables the partners to share best practice and work for synergy in the optimisation of existing capacity. Prior to 1994, statistics on agriculture focused on the white commercial sector and were not reliable regarding the former homeland areas and black participation.
By April 2003, the Department was working with Statistics South Africa to conduct an agricultural census as a source of more reliable information on the sector.
Preliminary results were expected to be released by December 2003. The census, funded by the Department to the tune of R17 million, will be updated every five years.
A survey on rural households, targeting five communal areas was completed in 2003. The data, which for the first time provides some useful information on communal rural agriculture, will improve the quality of planning and effectiveness of government interventions.
South Africa has a dual agricultural economy, comprising a well-developed commercial sector and a predominantly subsistenceorientated sector in the rural areas. About 13% of South Africa's surface area can be used for crop production. High-potential arable land comprises only 22% of the total arable land. Some 1,3 million hectares (ha) are under irrigation.
The most important factor limiting agricultural production is the availability of water. Rainfall is distributed unevenly across the country. Almost 50% of South Africa's water is used for agricultural purposes. The country can be subdivided into a number of farming regions according to climate, natural vegetation, types of soil and the type of farming practised. Agricultural activities in these regions range from intensive crop production and mixed farming in winter-rainfall and high summer-rainfall areas, to cattle-ranching in the bushveld and sheep-farming in the more arid regions.
Primary agriculture contributes about 3% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of South Africa and less than 9% of formal employment. However, there are strong backward and forward linkages into the economy, so that the agro-industrial sector is estimated to comprise 15% of GDP.
Today, South Africa is not only self-sufficient in virtually all major agricultural products, but in a normal year it is also a net food exporter. However, with very low average rainfall and high variability within and between seasons, agriculture is vulnerable to the effects of drought. When there is a major drought, strong downward pressure is placed on GDP. In good years, however, the contribution of agriculture can be vital to lifting the economy.
South Africa doesn't have ideal conditions for crop production. Less than 12% of its land is arable, and serious climatic constraints, such as periodic droughts, hinder agricultural production. Despite these circumstances, productivity must increase to meet the food needs of the growing population. Recent developments in biotechnology have brought hope in tackling the challenges of increasing food production. Genetic modification provides a way of meeting the growing demand for food without placing even greater pressure on scarce resources.
The Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Act, 1997 (Act 15 of 1997), was implemented on 1 December 1999, making provision for the regulation of GMOs in South Africa, particularly new biosafety assessments. In terms of the Act, permits are issued for trials and the commercial release of any GMO crops in the country, to ensure contained cultivation and reduced environmental impact. The objectives of the Act are to increase crop yield while protecting biodiversity. By mid-2001, the Department of Agriculture had approved the planting of three commercial Genetically Modified (GM) crops, i.e. insect-resistant cotton, herbicide-resistant cotton and insect-resistant maize.
There are no GM crops planted for human consumption in South Africa. There are no fresh GM fruit and vegetables on sale in the country. Imported engineered soya is used in processed meat and other locally produced food.
In terms of the GMO Act, 1997, the Advisory Committee, comprising scientific experts, conducts risk assessments to determine if a particular GMO is safe for humans, animals and the environment. The Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972), oversees the safety of food in South Africa.
During a meeting between the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Mohammed Valli Moosa, and his provincial counterparts, in June 2003, it was decided that there was a need to strengthen regulations governing GMOs.
The revision must ensure that the public is enabled to make better-informed decisions when purchasing goods made from GM products.
It was also resolved that serious consideration was needed around the labelling of GM products.
During 2002, the seasonally adjusted real value added by the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry increased by 3,9% compared with 2001. This was ascribed mainly to an increase in the production of maize and other field crops.
Despite the farming industry's declining share of GDP, it remains vitally important to the economy, and the development and stability of the southern African region.
For the past five years, agricultural exports have contributed on average approximately 8% (9% in 2002) of total South African exports.
Normally, South Africa is a net exporter of agricultural products in Rand value. The largest export groups are wine, citrus, sugar, grapes, maize, fruit juice, wool, and deciduous fruit such as apples, pears, peaches and apricots. Other important export products are nonalcoholic beverages, cigars and cigarettes, food preparations, meat, avocados, pineapples, peanuts, preserved fruit and nuts, hides and skins, and dairy products.
South Africa, at most times, is able to meet its own food requirements with considerable food exportation. However, the inherent limitations of the natural resource base and variable climate require land users to be very circumspect in how they use and manage these resources, so as to retain their productive capacity. Improved information about the potential and limitations of the natural resource base is essential for good management decisions. An inventory of soils, terrain forms and climate (land types) was undertaken by the Agricultural Research Council's (ARC) Institute for Soil, Climate and Water.
The Land Type (soil, climate and terrain) Survey for the whole of South Africa will assist land-use planning and management decisionmaking. Data from this and other more detailed soil and climate surveys are integrated into a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS), which allows for assessment of agricultural potential and land suitability.
Although it is generally recognised that soil degradation is a problem, there has been little reliable data systematically collected over time. Soil degradation is largely related to the decline in soil organic matter. Monoculture cereal production, intensive tillage, short-to-no fallow, and limited crop rotation have contributed to this in the commercial sector. Excessive fuelwood collection, inappropriate land-use, population density and overgrazing are the main causes of soil degradation in the communal areas. In addition, it is estimated that about 60% of the cropland area is moderately to severely acid, and probably at least 15% is affected by subsoil acidity.
Physical degradation of South Africa's agricultural land results in soil erosion by both water and wind. It has been estimated that water erosion affects about 6,1 million ha of cultivated soil in South Africa, and wind erosion about 10,9 million ha. Another degradation problem is compaction within the soil profile, especially on fine sandy soils where, for example, maize yields can be adversely affected by some 30% to 40%.
Urban spread, industrialisation and mining also impact on the sustainable use of agricultural land. Opencast coal-mining in Mpumalanga is an example of this pressure.
The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act 43 of 1983), allows the national Department of Agriculture to exercise control over the utilisation of South Africa's natural agricultural resources. The Act provides for the conservation of these resources by maintaining the land's production potential, combatting and preventing erosion, protecting vegetation and combatting weeds and invader plants. The Act generally applies to all agricultural land in South Africa, except for the sections dealing with weeds and invader plants, which also apply to urban areas.
Specific requirements and prohibitions applicable to land users are detailed in control measures, published as regulations of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983. Certain activities, such as the cultivation of virgin land and burning of veld, are subject to prior approval, while others are prescribed as 'best practice' in the interest of sustainable land-use. The Act further provides for the implementation of schemes, of which two are still functioning. These are the Weed Control Scheme that is administered nationally and the Soil Conservation Scheme that is administered by the provinces.
In order to promote natural agricultural resource conservation, policies, norms, standards and guidelines have been developed, as has a national agricultural resource audit division and a conservation GIS. At farmer level, conservation committees can be appointed to promote the conservation of the natural agricultural resources in the area concerned, in order to achieve the objectives of the Act. The national Department of Agriculture's Inspection Service does compliance-monitoring at farm level in all provinces.
South Africa is a signatory to a number of international agreements and conventions that require the matter of sustainable resource-use and management to be addressed in a responsible way. Agenda 21 is an action plan and blueprint for sustainable development, and was one of five documents adopted by more than 178 governments at the United Nations (UN) Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Specific to sustainable resource-use is Chapter 14 on promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development.
International conventions that apply to aspects of sustainable resource-use are the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD). The CCD requires South Africa to draw up a National Action Programme, which will be integrated into a regional programme for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. All these activities are receiving attention under the leadership of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, involving all stakeholders, including the national Department of Agriculture and the provinces.
One of the key programmes of the national Department of Agriculture that addresses sustainable use and management of natural resources is the National LandCare Programme (NLP). (See page 84.
Research institutes of the ARC and some universities have been contracted to undertake various research projects on matters relating to the sustainable use of agricultural resources. The practices of minimum tillage and no-till crop-production are again being actively promoted in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, aimed not only at commercial farmers, but also at smaller and subsistence farmers.
An agreement has been signed with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN for a project on conservation agriculture.
In terms of the projects, which is financed by the Technical Co-operation Programme, a survey of the conservation agriculture practices in South Africa will be done, workshops conducted, and visits to other African and South American countries organised.
The aim of the project is to formulate a strategy for implementing conservation agriculture in South Africa.
The National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998), places strong emphasis on equity in access to water, including water for agriculture. A feature of the development of water sources for agriculture has been the lack of co-ordination of initiatives and support interventions.
A proposal for the integrated management of water use in agriculture has been drafted.
The national Department undertook two projects to improve stockwater provision to small-scale farmers. In terms of the projects, existing boreholes are rehabilitated, pumps repaired, and new boreholes provided where water audits indicate that additional supplies are needed. Operations commenced in the Sekhukhune cross-border and Chris Hani districts, and were later expanded to QwaQwa and Kalahari-Kgalagadi districts. Eventually all the priority nodes will be included.
The Farmers' Charter, a commitment by farmers, government and other stakeholders for the sustainable use of natural resources, was launched in 2002 during the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
In general, the prices of agricultural products increased by 26% from 2001 to 2002. Prices of field crops increased by 35%, horticultural products by 23%, and livestock products also by 23%. The net income of the farming sector increased from R10 591 million in 2001 to R20 277 million in 2002. The country is selfsufficient where primary foods are concerned, with the exception of wheat, oil-seeds, rice, tea and coffee.
The largest area of farmland is planted with maize, followed by wheat and, to an extent, sugar cane and sunflowers.
The maize industry plays a very important role in the economy. Maize is the largest locally produced field crop, and the most important source of carbohydrates in the SADC for animal and human consumption. South Africa is the main maize producer in the SADC with an average production of approximately 9,1 metric tons (mt) per annum over the past 10 years.
It is estimated that more than 9 000 commercial producers of maize are responsible for the major part of the South African crop, while the rest is produced by many thousands of small-scale producers.
Maize is produced mainly in the North West, the north-western, northern and eastern Free State, the Mpumalanga Highveld, and the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Local commercial consumption of maize amounts to approximately 7,5 mt and surplus maize is usually exported.
Wheat is produced in the winter-rainfall areas of the Western Cape and the eastern parts of the Free State. Production in the Western Cape is the highest, but there are considerable annual fluctuations.
Barley is produced mainly on the southern coastal plains of the Western Cape. The area where barley is planted was estimated at 72 400 ha for the 2002/03 production season, and production was estimated at 183 260 t.
Ground-nuts are grown mainly in the Free State, North West and Northern Cape. Groundnut plantings decreased by 47%, from 94 160 ha in 2001/02 to 50 300 ha in 2002/03.
The ARC developed a sampling technique for estimating grain-crop areas, yield and production. It is the first time that a GIS, Global Positioning System, Remote Sensing Imagery and Internet-based data have been integrated into a system to provide information to the National Crop Estimation Committee. The Committee can now make a more reliable estimate of grain-crop production for South Africa, which has a major impact on markets, pricing and futures trading.
South Africa is the world's 11th-largest producer of sunflower seed. Sunflower seed is produced in the Free State, North West and on the Mpumalanga Highveld, as well as in Limpopo.
For many years, Oudtshoorn, De Rust and Douglas were the only areas in South Africa in which lucerne seed was produced in reasonable quantity. Today, the Oudtshoorn district is responsible for about 90% of the lucerne seed produced in South Africa. A lucerne plant can produce 100 to 120 lucerne bales per hectare every three weeks, provided enough water is available.
Sorghum is cultivated mostly in the drier parts of the summer-rainfall areas such as Mpumalanga, Free State, Limpopo and North West.
South Africa is ranked as the world's 12thlargest sugar producer. Sugar cane is grown in 15 cane-producing areas extending from northern Pondoland in the Eastern Cape, through the coastal belt and Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, to the Mpumalanga Lowveld. An estimated 2,5 mt of sugar is produced per season. About 50% of this is marketed in southern Africa.