Ilima/Letsema ensuring food security - Department of Agriculture

January 2009

Also in this issue: Departmental News

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Sector News

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Ilima/Letsema ensuring food security

Ilima/Letsema campaign

Departmental News

8 Standards of food and food safety

Farming News

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Climate change

Farming News

10 Tswelopele irrigation scheme

Sector News

12 Cheese festival

Ms Lulu Xingwana, Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, and a young boy at the Mpumalanga Province Ilima/Letsema launch. To date eight Ilima/Letsema events have been held and the experience was that the alignment of resource planning becomes critical for the three tiers of government when implementing projects of this nature and magnitude. It becomes important to recognise the local knowledge and practices of each community when making such interventions as indigenous knowledge remains at the centre in the implementation of Ilima/Letsema. Ms Xingwana started the Ilima/Letsema campaign with the purpose to mobilise communities to utilise the ploughing of fields to ensure that no land lies fallow.

Mpumalanga Province Ilima/Letsema The Thembisile Municipality forms part of the Nkangala District which is situated in the north western part of the Mpumalanga Province.

The municipality itself is situated in the furthest north western side of the district. The community of Nkangala District is predominantly communal in nature and as such the land under use is still entrusted under the chieftainship in collaboration with local municipality. Most of the households in this municipality are practising subsistence farming and most interviewed households show interest in agricultural activities. At Nkangala District, 3 organisations were given the food starter pack to distribute to the needy households. At Ekuphileni drop in centre, Moloto in Thembisile Municipality, 18 households benefited. At the National Pastoral Council in Kwaggafontein 82 households benefited. In line with the department strategic objectives Thembisile Municipality received 350 starter packs to distribute. The plan is being rolled out in 2008/09.

A member of the Nkangala community shows to Ms Lulu Xingwana the different types of vegetables they planted.

Ms Lulu Xingwana, Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, looking at the vegetables and tasting some of the delicious dishes prepared from the vegetables produced in the Nkangala District.

AgriNews is the newsletter of the Department of Agriculture, Private Bag X250, PRETORIA 0001. It is published by the Directorate Agricultural Information Services, Private Bag X144, PRETORIA 0001. Reports in this publication may be used freely, but should be accredited to AgriNews.

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January 2009 AgriNews No. 1

Editor Reporters Subeditor Distribution Photographer

Tumi Taunyane Tshidi Baloyi Samuel Kgatla Innocent Mhlanga Cilie Nortier Mercia Smith Tshepo Seloana Willie de Jager Pam Sutherland Fanie Mahlangu

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A UNITED AND PROSPEROUS AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

Free State Province Ilima/Letsema Jagersfontein is situated approximately 120 km southwest of Bloemfontein on the R706 which links with the R705 from the R704 from Trompsburg through Jagersfontein, 11km on through Fouriesmith on to Koffiefontein. Jagersfontein is part of the small towns of Moteo District Municipality. Jagersfontein’s existence was predicated by the discovery of a diamond bearing kimberlite pipe which gave rise to the De Beers Diamond Mine.

A number of mining activity based communities arose as a result, comprising mineworkers and labourers involved in the peripheral activities. This was followed by a consequential natural organic population growth. However, De Beers closed the mine and the precipitated a socio-economic crisis for the Itumeleng and Charlesville residential areas. The need for job creation by the local

municipality through a commonage was overwhelming. The commonage-based farming project started where livestock, dairy and crop production is practised and there is a piggery project. The land was purchased by Land Affairs for the Jagersfontein local municipality. The land is 974 ha in extent and is currently leased to commercial farmers at a minimum rental fee of R12 140,00 per annum. Its natural resources include sandy loam soils and small turf soils. Apart from the indication that strong groundwater resources are associated with the commonage, there is also water from the municipality’s sewage outfall and associated stream. The town’s economy relies primarily on livestock agricultural production. The municipality, together with communities of Itumeleng and Charlesville have realised that the commonage is the viable option Ms Lulu Xingwana, Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs was very impressed with the quality of the spinach grown at Jagersfontein and could not resist to buy a bunch of the spinach to take home.

to empower local farmer aspirants with agricultural skills, knowledge, technical and management of agro-industries. The Commonage was chosen as main venue for the Ilima demonstration by the Minister. Subtask teams are formed according to household food security technicians from national and from the provincial departments of agriculture, communication content, logistic and the ploughing and planting team. A social survey was done during the war on poverty in August event by precedence and the province. The profiles of the HH from the previous visitation will be used as bases for further interaction with identified households and families. The subtask teams consist of agricultural extension officials, Officials from Restitution, DLA, Agriculture, local municipality, CDW, Ward and Yard and other relevant stakeholders . Beneficiaries include 15 households , 1 Commonage with 11 ward women planting a 3 hectare vegetable garden, 6 men and women having a dairy and a piggery managed by 5 youth men and women and 1 school garden. Some 150 seedlings were distributed to each household. On communication a media invite (national and provincial community media) was published and the branding incooperated Salga, Restitution, Land Reform and Agriculture. On piggery the department needs to assist with market access and information and provide training where necessary. On crop farming the ARC is committed to help to research local markets to increase production from 3 ha to 30 ha. They will also assist with seeds, fertilisers tunnels, fencing and irrigation system and establish a feedlot and an abattoir.

Ms Vangile Titi, Deputy Director-General: Agriculture Support Services at the national Department of Agriculture in the middle with two women of the community watering the new seedlings.


No. 1 AgriNews January 2009

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Limpopo Province Ilima/Letsema

Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, MEC for Limpopo Agriculture and Ms Lulu Xingwana, Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs riding on the tilling tractor.

Limpopo agriculture to green the province.

In the spirit of the Ilima/Letsema campaign the Provincial Department of Agriculture has embarked on greening Sekhukhune. The fourth launch of the Ilima/Letsema campaign was rolled out in Limpopo at Leeuwkraal in the Makhuduthamaga Municipality. The area is experiencing a water scarcity problem. However, the Minister stated that the department would give water tanks to the community to enable it to save water, including rainwater. In the province it has been established that the land lies fallow because of a lack of tractors to work it. The greening of Sekhukhune includes the planting of fruit trees, indigenous trees and the establishment of food gardens in backyards and schools. The Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Lulu Xingwana, together with the MEC for Agriculture in Limpopo, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, planted peach trees and maize in two identified households. A total of 33 identified farmers, who own more than 1,5 ha of land, were given 15 kg of maize seeds to plant on their land. The department, in response to the need for tractors to work the land and in the spirit of Ilima/Letsema developed the Mechanisation Revolving Credit Access Scheme (MERECAS) to assist commercial, developing farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs to have their own mechanisa-

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tion units. The intended beneficiaries have to contribute towards the payment of the purchase price. This flagship programme will address food insecurity, job creation and protect the environment from land degradation. To date an area of more than 1 000 ha in Sekhukhune has been provided with bulk infrastructure and in-field irrigation technology for effective watering of the crops. Agricultural implements such as tractors, trailer, disc harrow, planter, mould board plough necessary for running a farming business may be bought through this initiative. The department contributes a 50 % grant to the total cost of the mechanisation with a maximum of R200 000. ABSA has been contracted by the department as a financial institu-

tion for the implementation of the scheme. The bank provides loan funding for the 50 % which the department does not cover or the farmer can pay for the remaining 50 % in cash. A budget of R20 million has been set aside in the current financial year towards the scheme: R12 million has been invested with agri-entrepreneurs for the mechanisation package. To date, 41 black and 28 white agri-entrepreneurs have been assisted through this intervention. The department has invested in irrigation water management and implementing the Revitalisation of Smallholder Irrigation Schemes (RESIS) in the province. “Through Ilima/Letsema we will realise and transform our dead assets. I am referring to our livestock, so that we become a most food secure nation,” concluded Xingwana.

Ms Dikeledi Magadzi and Ms Lulu Xingwana watering the seeds for the community.


Western Cape Province Ilima/Letsema The Witzenberg Local Municipality, founded in 2000, is classified as a Category B municipality, and is responsible for basic service provision to a demarcated municipal area that includes the towns Ceres, Tulbagh, Wolseley, Prince Alfred’s Hamlet, Op-die-Berg, while the rural areas are made up of the Ceres Valley, Achter-Witzenberg, Koue Bokkeveld, and the northern part of the Breede River Valley.

The municipal headquarters is in Ceres, the largest of the towns and the town with the highest growth potential, especially in the agriculture and related secondary sectors. Witzenberg has the smallest population in the Cape Winelands region, with approximately 88 390 people and is best known for its fruit and wine products. The Witzenberg Municipality serves areas that are among the poorest in the Province. The Municipal area has been declared as one of the 27 priority areas in the province because of poverty, crime and other social problems. In addition, one of the major challenges is that the Witzenberg people are unemployed 6 months of the year (May-September) owing to the fact that three major factories closed and because of seasonal work on farms. Persons in remote areas such as Op-die-Berg, Achter-Witzenberg and Koue Bokkeveld have to pay approximately R300 transportation to access government services in Worcester. The Witzenberg Municipality has been selected as the municipality that is afflicted with poverty and unemployment. The campaign seeks to encourage communities and all stakeholders to unleash a green revolution on the arable fallow land by tilling it to feed themselves and the nation. In view of the soaring food prices, the Provincial Government convened a food summit on 18 June 2008 which brought together Government departments, Labour, Business and civil society organisations in order to find solutions to the challenges of food insecurity faceing the people of the Western Cape. The summit resolved that: The Department of Agriculture should promote the concept


Mr Cobus Dowry, MEC for Western Cape Agriculture and Ms Lulu Xingwana, Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs mowing weeds and grass from the planted vegetables.

of backyard gardens, particularly for the food insecure households. • Focus strongly on the 27 government identified poverty areas of the Western Cape. • Establish the feasibility of the Food Bank concept. • Agriculture should develop a strategy to rehabilitate existing gardens with a view to increase production. • Review the availability and release of unused land publicly owned (especially schools and hospital land), to be used productively for food availability. • Ensure arable land is released for the establishment of food gardens. • Local Government supports the review and the development of a comprehensive package around the threshold for basic services and the review of indigent policies. Medium to Long Term Intervention With the launch of the Letsema the department resolved to pilot the suitcase in the Witzenberg Municipality. The planning team was constituted of the Departments

of Agriculture (lead department), Health, Justice, Correctional Services, Education, Provincial Land Reform Office and the Witzenberg Municipality. A total of 88 households were profiled in all the towns of the municipality, and only 74 households (28 of which are in Wolseley) were provided with the suitcase for the establishment of backyard gardens. In addition, three community gardens were also targeted for the launch. The suitcase entails a family irrigation system, garden tools (a spade, fork, rake, domestic hose, watering can), seeds and seedlings, fertilisers and a wheelbarrow. To ensure sustainability, selected households receive training before the start of the project. The areas selected for household food gardens are Op-die-Berg13, Prince Alfred’s Hamlet 4, Nduli 13, Ceres 3, Bella Vista 5, Wolseley 28, Tulbach 8. The department personnel will continuously monitor performance of gardens and provide extension support. In addition, the District Food Security Task Team will ensure linkage of projects with local business for the marketing surplus produce, thereby securing the long term viability of the projects.


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KwaZulu-Natal Province Ilima/Letsema Nembe is close to the town of Mandini, north of Durban. Access is gained through the N2 north just above 60 km south of Empangeni.

The area does not have water problems (irrigation) and villagers have been making a living out of agriculture.The Ilima/ Letsema of 29 November 2008 will take place at Nembe (Mlalazi) area. This area has not received any projects or government attention and therefore it was its turn. The other Nembe (Mpendle) had previously received some attention and visits from Government. The purpose of the Ilima/Letsema will be to encourage food production in this area. The MEC already visited the area in the previous week and has hence therefor started consultations with the relevant leaders in the area. The Ilima/Letsema activity should not focus on maize planting (although the area is conducive to maize production) because the time for planting maize has passed. Instead, beans will be planted. The area for Ilima/Letsema is along the river. Instead of individual beneficiaries, the cooperatives already in the area will be assisted in the planting. This will further strengthen the community in appreciation of the local initiative of forming cooperatives. In all, the area has about four cooperatives with between 12 and 20 members. The Ilima/Letsema effort will include the following assistance: mechanisation, fencing, irrigation. A consultative meeting took place at Mgebisa School to confirm and clear the collaboration of the villagers in holding the Ilima/Letsema on Saturday 29 November 2008. The meeting was attended by about 60 people, among them was the local Induna. The meeting was addressed by the MEC with Chief Biyela clarifying and encouraging participation and support for the Ilima/Letsema. The community was particularly satisfied about the idea of creating a local fresh produce market and their applause significantly indicated anticipation of Minister Lulu Xingwana’s commitment to building such a market. Members of the local community are proud and determined to produce their own food. They also require interventions in fencing, mechanisation and an outlet to sell their produce. There are young people in the area and they

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made up 50 % of the hall, indicating their interest in the sector. These young people require bursary information in pursuit of agriculture. The Ilima/Letsema will, after the ploughing, take place at Mgebisa School, within walking distance from the land to be ploughed. The planted area is approximately 4 ha of maize. The establishment of the farm produce market will be announced symbolically during the launch The area is rural, with a strong river flanking villages, and villager settlements along the area. Livestock, maize, home gardens and occasional sugar plantations can be found. The commercial sector farms in sugar cane. The main taxi terminal earmarked for a fresh produce market is a small business hub with great potential.

A market is required for the selling ofproduce to the locals. Locals have t carry their produce into Mandini town and local consumers also have to go to the town to buy fresh produce. There is a main taxi terminal with space to develop and establish a market. There is indeed a high demand for agriculture products, especially vegetables. Vegetables have to be brought in from 50 km from Mandini and such a market will stimulate local production. The National Government is expected to support this project by committing budget and the building/construction will be carried out by local volunteers in order to ensure local ownership. The market will encourage the mushrooming of micro-enterprises, ensuring that this Ilima/Letsema effort creates sustainable businesses.

Ms Njabulo Nduli, DirectorGeneral of the national Department of Agriculture prepares soil for planting with departmental officials looking on.

Mr Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, MEC for KwaZuluNatal Agriculture and Environmental Affairs signals to Ms Njabulo Nduli, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture and Ms Vangile Titi Director-General: Agricultural Support Services what the community is going to plant here.


Gauteng Province Ilima/Letsema The mission of the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment is to provide an integrated provincial management system for sustainable utilisation of natural resources towards a quality of life for all.

The Gauteng Agricultural Development Strategy was developed to enhance the province’s agricultural economy to attain its maximum potential, maximise the agricultural contribution towards job creation and poverty reduction, provide a framework for investment purposes, and align the policies within the agricultural sector. The cost of major food commodities has doubled over the last couple of years, with foodstuffs such as rice, maize and wheat reaching record highs. Some prices are at their highest in 30 years in real terms. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the situation of 850 million people already suffering from chronic hunger is set to deteriorate. The FAO further indicates that in poorer countries, people may spend more than half of their income on food as compared to 10 % in countries such as Germany. In recent months there have been food riots in countries such as Egypt, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Bangladesh, Mexico, Pakistan and Haiti.

Produce own food

The Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Lulu Xingwana, called on South Africans to return to farming to produce their own food. The Minister, who favours increasing food production to alleviate the crisis, believes that communities should be encouraged to develop a culture of producing vegetables in their backyards. She prompted South Africans to revisit the traditional methods of saving food. “Let us move from food aid to food production,” she said. From the onset it is recognised that the solution to the current high food prices which threaten food security is through the Ilima/Letsema Programme, i.e. encourage people to work the land and take appropriate action. The MEC for the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Mr Khabisa Mosunkuthu, has vowed to intensify the fight against poverty with the establishment of additional school,


homestead and community gardens. Letsema began during the time when African people lived in agrarian societies, where the land was the main source of a livelihood. Growing of crops and livestock farming were major social and economic activities. Each family had a piece of land on which they lived and could cultivate crops for home consumption and surplus for sale.

This concept paper suggests Government’s intervention in collaboration with public/private sector partnerships. It should also expand the Integrated Food Security Programme to fully support farmers to increase agricultural production along the value chain.

Letsema Strategy

The challenge of achieving food security in South Africa is one of ensuring that all people have access to adequate, safe and nutritious food at all times. The food security policy in South Africa has mainly focused on national food self-sufficiency. At present South Africa is one among only seven developing countries in the world which are net exporters of food (FAO, 2002), however this situation is changing fast. Depending on the statistics used, it is estimated that between 30 and 50% of the population do not have enough food to eat to stay healthy, energetic and well nourished. One of the July 2008 Agricultural Food Summit resolutions emphasised the need to adopt the concept of food production projects in order to address food insecurity at household level and to ensure that every little space available for food production is used. One of the ways in which this can be achieved is through community food type projects. As part of the action plan for the Household Food Security subprogramme, it was suggested that these types of projects be increased and adequately funded in order to address the need for food at household level. At present one of the challenges facing the country is inadequate and unstable household food security. Through the implementation of a subsistence production strategy all the targeted households would then be able to meet their food needs as well as generate income and become self-sustaining. At the household level, the suggested short-term strategy will be to deal with poor/vulnerable families around access, availability, utilisation and affordability with the aim of addressing chronic hunger. There are 55 000 households in Gauteng that are regarded as food insecure and vulnerable.

During Ilima, members of different families would move from one family’s land to the next, assisting one another, sharing skills and offering technical advice. Letsema was therefore a socio-economic growth strategy that assisted our people towards their own development. Participants in Ilima were therefore members of what has now been termed an “the extended family”. Ilima is made up of family, friends and neighbours as well as volunteers. The campaign calls on all of us to roll up our sleeves and work together, in order to ensure food security and create sustainable job opportunities and economic growth. The current food security challenge in South Africa consists of two dimensions. The first dimension seeks to maintain and increase the ability of South Africa to meet its household and national food requirements. This involves meeting these needs from domestic agricultural resources, importing food items that cannot be produced efficiently and exporting commodities with comparative advantage. The second dimension aims to eradicate the widespread inequalities and grinding poverty among the majority of households that is manifested by inadequate and unstable food supplies, lack of purchasing power, weak institutional support networks, poor nutrition and inadequate safety nets, weak food emergency management systems and unemployment. One of the goals of an integrated food security strategy is to eradicate hunger, malnutrition and food insecurities. The dramatic increase in food prices is pushing millions of people deeper into poverty and hunger. The HIV/Aids epidemic has even rendered the population to be more susceptible to the crisis.

Community food projects (CFPs)


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Private standards on food and food safety By Mercia Smith

Concerns regarding the escalation of private standards on food and food safety that are not based on science were discussed at an SADC stakeholder workshop on private agrifood standards recently.

As a result of private standards, countries in Southern Africa face increasing constraints in exporting their food products to markets in Europe and the US. Private food safety and quality standards in developed countries have become a global phenomenon. These voluntary standards are product and production process requirements set by the buyers of agriculturaland food products. They operate in tandem with compulsory public regulatory systems such as the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). The SPS Agreement allows countries to set their own standards, however, it also indicated that regulations should be based on science. These should be applied to the extent necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health. The TBT Agreement recognises the right of countries to adopt the standards they consider appropriate, for example, for human, animal or plant life or health, for the protection of the environment or to meet other consumer interests. While private standards are a constraint, they also represent an opportunity for Southern African firms to distinguish themselves as high-quality, reliable suppliers that are able to meet and exceed the food safety, environmental and social standards set by their buyers. Meeting private standards poses a challenge for Southern African firms. The large number of different standard schemes and the continuous changing of the the scope and stringency of these schemes create a challenge. Producers therefore need ongoing access to information about private standards requirements and continuously make investments in standards infrastructure and systems. These costs are especially

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prohibitive to smallholder producers. The Private Standards Innovation Fund was set up by the Regional Standards Programme (RSP) to assist Southern African agribusiness firms in meeting the range of private standards required by international buyers. The Innovation Fund awards grants to regional producer groups, private firms, industry associations and agencies to assist them to overcome specific certification or standard issues that prevent them from supplying high-value, formal markets such as international and regional supermarket chains. The Fund also encourages commercial entities to experiment with creative solutions to overcome the barriers associated with standards compliance by providing them with a financial incentive to offset some of the associated risks and costs. Role of Government Dr Kgabi Mogajane, Deputy DirectorGeneral: Biosecurity and Disaster Man-

agement, explained the role of Government regarding private standards. Although private standards must mainly be market and consumer directed, Government should: • Create and regularly review the national framework for the supervision and oversight of relevant resources, including the identification of a lead agency; • Establish effective and efficient accreditaion and certification systems for organisations, facilities and individuals engaged in the relevant research and development; • Develop lists of relevant agents, equipment and other resources to be covered by accreditation; • Cover the full cycle of activities in the production and manufacturing system; • Develop compulsory or certified curricula and assosiated training programmes for relevant personnel.


Majority of SA farmers are not prepared for climate change By Tshidi Baloyi

The vast majority of African farmers interviewed for a recent climate change study experienced long-term changes in temperature or rainfall.

However, two-thirds of rural South African households in the Limpopo River basin did not make any adjustments to their farming practices in the light of global warming. South African farmers identified the lack of access to credit as the single biggest constraint in adapting to climate change, followed by lack of water, information, and market access, as well as insecure property rights. The study to improve the understanding of the impact of climate change on poor, rural households was conducted by experts from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), under the leadership of Dr Claudia Ringler, IFPRI senior researcher. As part of the study on adaptation strategies and constraints, researchers surveyed nearly 800 farm households in the Limpopo basin in South Africa and approximately 1 000 households in the


Nile basin in Ethiopia. The study provides insights into the ability of poor farmers and livestock herders, who will probably bear the main impact of climate change, to adapt to climaterelated disasters, especially drought and long-term global warming. The research indicates that farmers, who managed to adapt, applied irrigation to a larger extent, harvested water, planted a variety of crops, changed planting dates, and practised soil conservation measures, including the planting of trees. There was a larger capacity to adapt among farmers who had access to credit and extension, owned private property and had greater farming experience or who practised mixed crop and livestock farming. “In the coming decades, climate change will significantly affect food and water security, particularly in the rural areas of developing countries where agricultural production is the major source of income and employment,” said Dr Ringler. Dr Ringler explained that Africa is particularly vulnerable because of its limited

ability to adapt because of dependence on rainfed agriculture, low levels of human and physical capital, poor infrastructure, and (already) high temperatures. According to the study, the most vulnerable households in South Africa are relatively large, rely heavily on rainfed agriculture, have limited farming experience and do not own livestock. Vulnerability also varies within and between provinces in the Limpopo River basin, pointing to the need for targeted, region-specific policy responses. According to the study, to better prepare South African farmers to global warming, investments should focus on agricultural research and development, education, and access to clean water, and less on roads and expansion of irrigation. “Investments and policies should target those groups who are most vulnerable to climate change, including small-scale, subsistence farmers, women and children, and the poor, marginalised and less educated,” stated Dr Ringler.


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Cholera in Limpopo Province By Nelly Mamase

The confirmed outbreak of cholera in Limpopo Province during November and December 2008 has nearly tarnished the province’s agricultural sector.

The Departments of Agriculture, Health and Social Development have confirmed that the Limpopo River was contaminated by the cholera bacteria. This had business implications as it involved the production of farmers around the Limpopo Valley. The cholera scare affected business therefore farm products (mostly tomatoes in Nwanedi and citrus which were out of season) were put on hold on the markets. According to Agri SA markets had to test fresh produce from the Valley to ensure safety for consumers. Together with the Limpopo Agricultural Department, Agri SA reacted swiftly to the allegations and reassured both farmers and consumers by stating that, despite the

river being contaminated by live cholera bacteria, the crops irrigated by water from the Limpopo River were safe. According to the Limpopo’s departmental spokesperson, Mr Thembi Makhuvele, farmers along the Valley use a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertiliser mixture that contains chlorine, the “key chemical element that is used to treat bacteria in water, including cholera.” Moreover, farmers use modern irrigation technology called fertigation (the application of water and fertiliser at the same time) to irrigate their crops. Makhuvele confirmed that farmers embarked on an intensive packaging process, which made it difficult for the bacteria to survive on crops. Farmworkers also got a scare, however, Agri SA reached an agreement with the MEC for Agriculture in Limpopo, Mme Magadzi, to send water tankers to the

areas affected by cholera to reduce the risk to farmworkers. The Departments of Agriculture, Health and Social Developments as well as organised agriculture were monitoring the situation and have embarked on educational campaigns that will assist in reducing the spread of cholera in Limpopo Province. Cholera is caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium found in contaminated “untreated water” that is used for drinking purposes. Plants are also affected when contaminated water is being used to irrigate crops. Vegetables such as lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers and various types of fruit are likely to carry the bacteria. The bacteria spread from crops to humans through consumption of raw and halfcooked vegetables.

Tswelopele irrigation scheme The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Potatoes South Africa launched a rehabilitated irrigation scheme in Practiseer at the end of last year. Tswelopele irrigation scheme is a partnership between the 84 farmers around the Greater Tubatse Municipality and Mr Athur Creighton, a commercial potato farmer.

The department assisted with an amount totalling R18 million to instal floppy irrigation on a 440 ha potato farm. Harvesting started from the end of August and some 330 tons of potatoes per hectare will be taken to Simba South Africa, which has signed a contract with the scheme. The partnership will last 3 years while some of the 84 farmers have received certificates in soil management and preparation, production practice, financial management, automation, project management and harvesting. The skills acquired will assist

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beneficiaries in enabling them to run the farm after the partnership ends. Mr Peter Mulder, an Agronomy Manager of Simba South Africa, thanked the MEC for funding and Mr Athur Creighton (the latter for his involvement in the partnership). “Skills transfer is crucial as it ensures sustainability of projects such as this one,” said Mulder. Funding that will be directed at community training will increase opportunities and impact positively on the success of the project. The MEC of the Limpopo Department of Agriculture, Mme Dikeledi Magadzi, stated that the department has opted for a “limited term strategic partnership model to reduce the high risk of failure on such a massive investment”. The strategic investing partner should ensure marketing skills and onfarm technical production on a profit-sharing

basis. For the project to be sustainable, the MEC said that it was crucial that the farmers should continuously invest parts of their profits for future sustainability and production purposes after the partnership ceased to exist. At the same time Mme Magadzi encouraged farmers who are involved in the scheme by citing the successful partnerships in Makuleke and Zebediela. As much as funds are involved “infighting for leadership is common in such schemes” and she referred to the squabble at Elandskraal in which R15 million was nearly wasted owing to infighting among farmers. However, she also said: “I hope the farmers of Tswelopele will grow to strengthen their governance”. Moreover, Tswelopele will become a beacon of hope to the people of Tubatse as well as the people in the greater Limpopo Province.


Alien invader plants By Themba Mathebula

Do you have a nursery or a small flower garden in your backyard? Chances are that you might have an alien plant. Alien plants are plants which come from other countries and have a negative environmental impact.

These plants invade other species and are detrimental to the environment. Large alien trees use more water than the vegetation they are invading. They replace the natural vegetation. Resource auditor at the Directorate Land Use and Soil Management, Helette Prinsloo, said they are currently revisiting regulations systems that deal with alien plants, through a consultative process. “We have finalised the list of species and amended the regulation and are in a process of submitting the amendment to the Minister in August”. She said when the Minister signs the amendment; it will be published in the Government Gazette. According to Prinsloo, they must take all comments and stakeholders into consideration in making sure that the consultative process is open and fair. “We have to be sensitive to things that need deliberations”, she added. There are currently 350 species of alien plants in the country, accounting for 4 % of the all the species in the country. There are two types of alien plants; invasive and non-invasive plants. The most detrimental are the invasive plants which suffocate the biodiversity of areas. Alien invasive plants are similar to pioneer plants in that they rapidly colonise disturbed areas, but differ from pioneer plants in having the additional ability to encroach upon undisturbed, pristine areas. They usually grow vigorously and disperse rapidly and, instead of being outcompeted by betteradapted plants, they actively displace the indigenous vegetation and often transform the plant community. Good news is that a large proportion of alien plants in the country consist of useful and even indispensable plants, e.g. crops and sources of fibre and timber. Unfortunately, many alien plants with valuable attributes have escaped from cultivation


and are overcrowding and displacing the vegetation in almost all the climatic regions of the country. There are four basic methods of controlling alien invasive plants: Mechanical control: this involves removing the invasive plants or causing severe damage to them by physical actions such as uprooting, clear-felling, slashing, moving, and ringbarking or by hauling aquatic weeds out of the water. Felled trees often coppice and the soil disturbance caused during the control action frequently stimulates the seeds of the invasive plant to germinate after clearing. Therefore, follow-up actions are very important. Chemical control: this involves the application of registered herbicides to the invasive plants or to the soil surrounding them, with the aim of killing or suppressing the plants. The choice of herbicides, the correct application method, dosage, time of application and follow-up action are very important. Biological control: This consists of the use of host-specific natural enemies (insects, fungi) to reduce the populations of the invasive plant to an acceptable level.

Indirect control: this refers to methods that are not primarily aimed at killing invasive plants, but that can contribute towards their control, e.g. ploughing, the use of fire and the utilisation of parts of the plant, or the oversowing of an area with beneficial plant species. Some tough invaders require a combination of these methods, e.g. cutting down/ ringbarking followed by herbicide applications to the stump. So if you know of any alien invasive plant, in your garden or at your nursery, do your part and at least apply of the above control measures. You will save the environment, ensuring that the biodiversity of the country’s natural areas flourishes. Once you know which plants in your garden and pond are invasive alien plants, you have the perfect excuse to revamp and replant your garden with many exciting alternatives – both indigenous and non-invasive exotics. For the full list of alien invasive plants, contact the Working for Water toll free information line on 0800-005-376 *See pictures of invasive alien plants at www.agis.agric/wip


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Broaden your knowledge of Agricultural Engineering The ARC-IAE now has another batch of brand new publications on its distribution list concerning Mechanisation, Renewable Energy, Irrigation, Agro-processing and Farm Structures. These new publications resort under the Mechanisation, Agro-processing and Irrigation Programmes.

Irrigation Programme Firstly, there are two new publications on dams. The Earth Dam publication gives us a new perspective on earth dams, such as those fed by runoff, waterholes, fountains and permanent streams. There is also a chapter on the quality and availability of building materials and costs. Catchment areas and runoff are dealt with and design essentials are discussed. The Manual for the Building of Circular Reservoirs gives a general overview, followed by Circular Reservoirs of Brick or Concrete; Types of Drinking Troughs and the Circular Corrugated Iron Reservoirs. Appendices explain the structural parts and water control fittings, the total materials for circular reservoirs, 1,8 m deep as well as Corrugated Iron Reservoirs: Construction Methods and Accessories. Agro-processing Programme In addition to the existing list of publications, ARC-IAE has added another two, namely Processing of Poultry and Processing of Herbs and Spices. The manual regarding Poultry (Chicken and Turkey) discusses different groups of chickens namely, Boned, Canned chicken a la King, Canned Chicken and Noodles, Chicken in Jelly, Roasted Chicken, Stewed Chicken, Whole Chicken and Potted Chicken. Explanations on Turkey entail different types of canned turkey. In the Manual of Processing of Herbs and Spices, cinnamon, paprika, jojoba and parsley are discussed. Cinnamon, cinnamon oil, dried cinnamon and ground cinnamon, as well as ground paprika, jojoba oil and parsley flakes or powder are discussed. The Mechanisation Programme has published four new training manuals, illustrated with sufficient photographs

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and sketches for small-scale farmers to understand. The Operation and Application of Mounted Mowers gives an overview of Reciprocating Mowers. The introduction of The Operation and Application of Medium and Big Square Balers gives a general overview of square balers, followed by the different sizes of balers available. Medium and Big Square Balers are discussed separately under the component functions, Baler Preparation, Planning, Field Operation, Baler Attachments, Transport, Safety, Troubleshooting, Maintenance and Replacement Parts, as well as Storage and Specifications. The Application and Operation of Round Balers gives a general overview on the Round Baler. The Different Types of Balers and Tractor Preparation, Hitching the Baler to the Tractor and Final Inspection are discussed, as well as Starting and Operating the Baler, Crop Preparation, Feeding the Baler Cord and Bale Density.

All aspects of the balers such as Sheer Bolt and Slip Clutch and Storage are looked at. A Checklist for Ordering Parts, Preparing the Baler at the beginning of a new season, Troubleshooting and Transport concludes this manual. The Operation and Application of Hay Rakes and Haytedders Manual offers an introduction on how rakes were developed to gather newly-cut hay into small piles, or windows, to make hay collection easier. It is followed by a discussion on the various aspects of the different types of rakes. These types include the Selfrotating Finger Wheel Rake, the Single Rotor Rake, the Double Rotor Rake, the Multiple Rotor Rakes and the Rotary Tedder and Windrower. Should, you be interested in any of the Institutes’ manuals or one or more of these new manuals, please contact our Marketing Division on 012 842 4017 or fax to 012 842 4176 or e-mail StoltzE@ ARC.Agric.za

Cheese festival The SA Cheese Festival which has become synonymous with superb and daring culinary experiences is once again scheduled to provide foodies from all over with a respite from the rush of life in the city from 24 to 27 April 2009.

Cheese lovers will be able to enjoy old favourites, while being wooed by adventurously new dairy and related products in the rustic setting provided by the shady quarters of Bien Donné farm between Paarl and Franschhoek. The festival is known to provide exceptional entertainment for the entire family with a variety of cooking demonstrations, tastings and leisurely hours spent shopping in a market atmosphere. To ensure your entry to this favourite event

tickets will have to be purchased beforehand at Computicket and Checkers stores. Tickets for adults wishing to enter on Friday or Monday cost R85 per person, while visitors intending to enter on Saturday or Sunday will pay R110. Children 12 years and younger enter for free and senior citizens pay R65 for entry on any day of the festival. Opening times for the festival will be as follows: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 and on Monday, 27 April from 10:00 to 17:00. The organisers of this very successful festival, Agri-Expo, can be contacted for further information at tel 021 975 4440 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.cheesefestival.co.za.
