Gauteng small-scale farmers are struggling due to a lack of equipment to be able to ensure sustainable farming . In an oversight inspection it was clear that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is making many promises to emerging farmers and yet taking years to facilitate the implementation of these promises.
These farmers are waiting for amongst others borehole pumps after several years when they just received a hole in the ground. Another farmer has been waiting years to get the fencing installed to upgrade the security of the farm. Another farmer has requested solar to be able to continue with their poultry enterprise. This while the department underspends by R56,9 million on conditional grants for the 2022/23 financial year.
This department is failing in its core mandate to support small-scale farmers due to its incompetence and lack of proper planning.
Small-scale farmers must not suffer because the department fails to spend its allocated budget.
The department only spent 51% of the conditional grant and underspent by R56,9 million. The conditional grant is meant to support and develop farmers in terms of goods and services. In addition, R8 million was not spent due to the non-delivery of machinery and equipment.
The department is now forced to apply for a rollover of funds from Treasury due to underspending. In addition, officials in this department were rewarded wage increases totalling R39 million and a 1.5% notch progression while failing to spend on service delivery.
The DA proposes the following to ensure that this department spends wisely on its allocated budget:
• The department must plan properly and ensure the budget is effectively spent on deserving farmers.
• Prioritise monitoring and evaluation of each project.
• Provide adequate mentorship to the beneficiaries and give them the proper tools they need for their project.
• Department’s budget must be spent on areas vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which could affect food security.
Gauteng is in dire need of food security and support for small-scale farmers. It is unacceptable that the department is not spending its budget. The DA will continue to monitor the budget expenditure by this department to ensure it benefits small-scale farmers.