WATER SUMMIT. Agricultural Overview. 16 May 2017 Mr Darryl Jacobs

Transcription

1 WATER SUMMIT Agricultural Overview 16 May 2017 Mr Darryl Jacobs

2 Content of Presentation 1. Water Crisis: Why Focus on Agriculture 2. Drought Dialogue Is there a Plan 4. Conclusion Western Cape Government 2012 PG MTEC 1 Engagement 2

3 Why Focus on Agriculture in this Province

4 West C Free S Mpu KZN North C Gau Limp East C North W % South Africa s commercial agriculture Western Cape is the dominant Province 25% 20% 20.93% 15% 14.75% 12.85% 12.01% 11.52% 10% 5% 8.11% 7.25% 6.57% 6.01% 0% Source: Agricultural Census (2007) Western Cape Government

5 WC Gau KZN EC Mpu Lim NC NW FS % South Africa s agricultural exports Western Cape is the dominant Province 50% 45% 45.0% 40% 35% 30% 29.8% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 10.4% 6.9% 3.5% 2.6% 1.5% 0.3% 0.1% 0% Source: Provide (2012) Western Cape Government

6 Western Cape farming income R16,7 Billion Crops 7% Other 5% Animal products 13% Horticulture 48% Animals 27% Source: Agricultural Census(2007) Western Cape Government

7 Western Cape Agricultural Stakeholders New Primary Producers Communal Farmers Commercial Farmers Farm Dwellers Consumers ,2 mil Western Cape Government

8 Drought Dialogue 2016

9 Drought Dialogue Agriculture is the lifeblood of the rural communities in the Western Cape Because of the devastating effect of the drought, the Department in partnership with DEADP hosted the Drought Dialogue on June 2016 Target grouping was commercial and smallholder farmers as well as agricultural organisations and government Out of the Dialogue, stakeholders identified 32 action plans to help address and mitigate the impact of the drought Western Cape Government 2012 PG MTEC 1 Engagement 9

10 Progress and Future Plans from Drought dialogue Stakeholders involved Agri WC and AFASA: monthly meetings have been held since the Drought Dialogue of 2016 and initially the top five priority actions have been tackled at these meetings: Bridging finance Optimising water use Grant support to farmers Precise prediction of drought Revisiting water management policies Subsequently the remaining Top 10 issues have also been focused on Western Cape Government 2012 PG MTEC 1 Engagement 10

11 Drought Dialogue Actions (cont) Additional 32 Actions covered need for: Focus on Conservation Agriculture Eliminating red tape with regards to Water infrastructure Cash flow management under drought conditions Sharing of Drought Leadership Climate Change unit at highest level of Government Improved Communication to all stakeholders Affordable Insurance Western Cape Government 2012 PG MTEC 1 Engagement 11

12 Drought Dialogue Actions (cont) Appropriate communication channels to disseminate early warnings The Department has already issued a drought dialogue update to all stakeholders and participants Western Cape Government 2012 PG MTEC 1 Engagement 12

13 Is there a Plan to Mitigate the Impact

14 Adherence to Climate Smart Agriculture Western Cape Government 2012 PG MTEC 1 Engagement 14

15 Climate Smart Agriculture (SmartAgri) The 3 Pillars of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) are: 1. Increasing Productivity and incomes 2. Enhancing resilience of livelihoods and ecosystems 3. Reducing/ removing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration The CSA approach involves the direct incorporation of climate change adaptation into agricultural development planning and investment strategies Western Cape Government 2012 PG MTEC 1 Engagement 15

16 Conclusion

17 Conclusion NO WATER NO AGRICULTURE NO FOOD NO JOBS Commitment and ownership of all stakeholders is critical to mitigate the impact Agriculture is severely impacted; 30% water restrictions for agriculture has been implemented from 1 March 2017 Conservation agriculture and adherence to Smart Agri principles will assist farmers through this crisis The Department has secured more than R80m as drought aid; currently there is a balance of R26m But we need active and meaningful partnerships to mitigate the social and economic impact of this crisis Western Cape Government

18 Thank you

19 Contact Us Darryl Jacobs Tel: +27 (0) Fax: +27 (0)