SECRET

MINISTER

AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL

DEVELOPMENT REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Private Bag X250, PRETORIA, 0001 • Tel.: +27 12 319 7319 • Fax 012 319 6681
Private Bag X9087, CAPE TOWN, 8000 • Tel.: +27 21 467 4502 • Fax 021 465 6550 • Web:
www.daff.gov.za

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

CABINET MEMORANDUM NO :
DATE :
FILE NUMBER :

1. SUBJECT
Second Bi-annual Progress report on implementation of the Medium-Term Strategic
Framework (MTSF) 2019-2024.

2. PURPOSE
2.1 To table the second Bi-annual progress report on implementation of the MTSF
2019/24 for the period ending March 2021.
2.2 To provide a strategic overview of the impact on society of the work done during the
period under review; and
2.3 To identify problems affecting implementation and actions to improve delivery.

3. SUMMARY
The report focuses on economic transformation and job creation; education and
skills; spatial integration, human settlements and local government; agrarian reform
contributing to reduced asset inequality, equitable distribution of land and support to
smallholders.

4. STRATEGIC FOCUS OF THE REPORT

4.1 The memorandum seeks to facilitate executive oversight over implementation of the
interventions that contribute to three of the seven priorities that were announced by
President Cyril Ramaphosa during the June 2019 State of the Nation Address i.e.
priorities 2, 3 and 5. In addition it provides progress on the implementation of
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activities aimed at achieving the outcomes that were approved under the 2019 –
2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for the sector.

4.2 The outcomes give effect to the objectives set out in chapter 6 of the National
Development Plan and the MTSF 2019-2024.

5. DISCUSSION
Summary of progress (Please refer to Annexures 1 and 2).

5.1 Economic Transformation and Job Creation

5.1.1 A total of 18 232 jobs were created by the sector of which 384 benefited the youth
and 405 benefited women. According to the 4th quarter labour force survey,
employment in agriculture increased by 0,3% in the period under review. In
addition, according to STATSSA, agriculture contributes 2.5% to the South African
GDP. In 2020 the agriculture sector grew by 13% year on year. The good weather
and government regulations insulated the sector against the effects of the lockdown
that resulted from COVID 19 pandemic.

5.1.2 The National Agriculture Marketing Council (NAMC) working with DALRRD
supported 34 new red meat and 8 oilseeds producers as part of agri-business
support intervention. A total of 3 854 existing Agri-businesses were supported
through various initiatives including production and marketing. These interventions
have contributed significantly to social and economic upliftment of communities.

5.1.3 To support national priority sectors to grow, create jobs and contribute to the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP), the draft Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan
(AAMP) has been developed. Consultations with social partners are at advanced
stage. DALLRD has produced the spatial analysis and mapping report and updated
the 52 district sector profiles aligning them to agricultural opportunities identified in
the draft AAMP.

5.1.4 The draft Cannabis Master Plan has been developed and will be taken to the
National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) in due course. In
addition, the Plant Improvement Act and the Medicine Act has been amended. The
Minster of DALRRD, has approved the declaration of Hemp as an agricultural crop.
The implementation of these changes has, however, been delayed by the
Constitutional Court judgement of 18 December 2020 which declared Section 63
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unconstitutional. This judgement prohibits the Minister of Justice from making any
changes to the Drugs Trafficking Act.

5.1.5 The consolidated progress report on the implementation of trade, multilateral and
bilateral agreements that have been negotiated and implemented has been
produced and trade opportunities were identified for all major industries. The report
identifies markets that are open for the specified products.

5.2 Education, Skills and Health

5.2.1 A total of 3 515 students were registered in the academic year across eleven
agricultural colleges. Two thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight (2888) rural
youth were involved in different skills development initiatives through the NARYSEC
programme. A total of 122 existing extension officers and 38 postgraduate students
were involved in the skills development programmes. An additional 10 240 people
were involved in skills development programmes that were provided by various
stakeholders contributing to the agricultural and rural development sector.

5.2.2 As at 31 March 2021, a total of 5332 extension officers were deployed to support
commodity groups and land reform form projects. During Alert Level 4 of the
COVID-19 lockdown, 46 extension officers were mobilised to provide support to the
COVID-19 Agricultural Relief Funding’s potential beneficiaries to make applications
and collect vouchers. To broaden and maximise support to the farmers, a strategy
for the employment of 10 000 Extension Practitioners has been developed and
consulted with Provincial Departments of Agriculture.

5.3 Spatial Integration Human Settlements and Local Government

5.3.1 Consultation with various stakeholders on the draft NSDF have been completed. It
is anticipated that the draft NSDF will be tabled to Cabinet by end of June 2021.
Work on the development of the NSDF Implementation Charter is in progress.

5.3.2 To support the implementation of the District Development Model, DALRRD is

participating and contributing in the structures both at provincial and district level.
The Minister and Deputy Ministers continue to provide oversight at Capricorn,
Ehlanzeni and Thabo Mofutsanyana district municipalities. The department further
contributed to the development of the joined-up plans of the districts and provided

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catalytic projects that have been integrated with the IDP in line with its mandate.
DALRRD also participates in the development of the eThekwini Joined Up Plan.
5.4 Land and Agrarian Reform Contributing to Reduced Asset Inequality,
Equitable Distribution of Land and Food Security

5.4.1 Sustainable land reform (agrarian transformation)

(a) In the period under review a total of 61 003 hectares of land were acquired and
16 198 hectares of state land were released for agriculture purposes. An additional
254 853 hectares of state land and 460 farms will be released by 30 June 2021.

(b) In an effort to accelerate land reform, 436 435 hectares of land were allocated to
deserving farmers in line with the Beneficiary Selection and Land Allocation Policy.
To this end 7 525 hectares were allocated to women and 11 911 hectares were
allocated to youth.

(c) A total of 314 land claims were settled benefiting 2584 households consisting of
18 368 beneficiaries. 1158 beneficiaries were from female headed households and
2 were people living with disabilities. Land measuring 5 614,126 hectares was
approved for restoration of which 149,126 were on private land and 4 986 were on
state land. A total of 336 land claims were finalised, benefiting 6747 households and
21 117 beneficiaries.

(d) Legislation Update: The Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land

(PDALB) Bill, the draft Agriculture Produce Bill and Marketing of Agricultural
Products Amendment Bill have been introduced to Parliament for processing. The
draft Communal Property Association Bill has been finalised. Consultations on the
National Comprehensive Producer Support Policy have been finalised and the Bill
has been tabled to Cabinet. On Land Administration and Tenure Reform, the
position paper has been adopted by Cabinet. Consultation sessions with provinces
have commenced and will culminate in the land summit with Traditional leaders.

(e) DALRRD in partnership with the Perishable Products Export Control Board and
GLOBALGAP has benchmarked SA-GAP with GLOBALGAP and a report was
produced. The benchmarking exercise was aimed at establishing the equivalent
recognition for the SA-GAP food safety audit framework compared to the
GLOBALGAP food safety audit framework. The process is aimed at contributing to

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a potential decrease in the number of Food Safety Audits required to export

perishable products of plant origin.

5.4.2 Smallholder producer development and support (technical, financial,

infrastructure) for agrarian transformation
(a) A total of 138 660 smallholder producers and 79 617 households were supported
through various production initiatives including the COVID 19 Relief Funding. 112
farms were supported through the Land Development Support Programme.
DALRRD also facilitates the provision of post settlement support to beneficiaries of
restitution where title deeds have been handed over. To ensure structured post
settlement support to beneficiaries of land reform broadly, DALRRD has initiated the
process of developing a post settlement support strategy in collaboration with other
stakeholders.

(b) A total of 120 374 hectares of under-utilised land in communal areas was cultivated
for production and 51016,14 hectares of degraded land rehabilitated for production.

(c) To ensure access to water for agricultural purposes the Department of Water and
Sanitation (DWS) provided 20 land reform projects with secure water rights. A total
of 1 171 699 m3/a (cubic meter) water that can be used for irrigation of four
properties were allocated to land reform projects. DWS further authorised 353 water
use licences to historically disadvantaged individuals amounting to 12.1m3/a
volume of water that would be used for irrigation.

(c) A report on piloting of the crop suitability to climate change programme in Limpopo,
Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Free State was produced. In addition, 50 000
hectares of land earmarked for using water conservation technology agriculture
methods were identified across provinces. Engagements with the provinces on the
identified sites is in progress. In addition, 200 hectares of land is under agricultural
conservation in Limpopo.

(d) Agricultural Infrastructure: During this period 15 Farmer Production Support

Units were provided with infrastructure and 19 livestock handling and auction
facilities were completed which contributed towards job creation and economic
growth. In addition, 88 agricultural facilities have been supported through the
provision of irrigation technology and on-farm mechanization. Two Agri Hubs were
completed and 5 Agri hubs and 8 Agro processing units supported. From January to
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March 2020, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition funded the agro
processing initiatives through the Agro Processing Incentive Scheme to the amount
of R58.4 million.

5.5 Constraints / Challenges and Strategic Issues

5.5.1 Despite the good contributions made by the agriculture sector, the COVID-19
pandemic continued to impact negatively on the implementation of some of the
programmes and achievement of some of the set targets. Related to this is the
broader negative impact of budget cuts that have affected government.

6. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
6.1 The department will continue to mobilise both internal and internal and external
stakeholders to support the implementation of the interventions and provision of
both technical and financial resources.

7. ORGANISATIONAL AND PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS

None.

8. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
None.

9. RISK MITIGATION
Some targets in the programme of action might not be achieved due to the
challenges mentioned above. To mitigate these the impact proposals on revising
the targets have been made.

10. COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS

None.

11. CONSTITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS

None.

12. IMPLICATIONS FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS

In the period under review, 42 338 youth, 26 465 women and 4167 people living
with disabilities benefited from various initiatives implemented.

13. SECURITY IMPLICATIONS

None.
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14. DEPARTMENTS AND PARTIES CONSULTED, RESPONSES AND COMMENT

14.1 This report was compiled based on inputs received from the Technical
Implementation Forum, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural
Development, the Provincial Departments of Agriculture, other sector departments
and the entities.

15. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that Cabinet notes the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform
and Rural Development’s second biannual progress report on the implementation of
priorities in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework.

16. OFFICIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MEMORANDUM

I declare that the memorandum adheres to the Guidelines for the Drafting of
Cabinet Memoranda dated June 2019 provided by the Cabinet Secretariat. The
requirements in relation to electronic presentations were noted.
Name: Busisiwe Mdaka
Designation: Chief Director
Telephone: 012 312 8248 Cellular: 082 577 5580
E-mail: Busisiwe.Mdaka@dalrrd.gov.za

17. HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

……………………………………
Name : Mr. M Ramasodi
Designation : Acting Director-General: DALRRD
Telephone : 012 312 8503 Fax: 012 323 6072

18. AUTHORISATION FOR PROCESSING THE MEMORANDUM

…………………………..
MRS A.T. DIDIZA, (MP)
MINISTER: AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DATE:
Is there a need for an electronic presentation to be done in addition to the memorandum? No

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