Government to establish 50 000 commercial smallholder farmers

Thu, 16 Jun 2011

The Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, (DAFF) and Rural Development and Land Reform, working in partnership aim to establish 50 000 commercially-orientated smallholder farmers in rural areas. DAFF will establish these farmers where there is a large concentration of subsistence producers, including supporting smallholders on land acquired through land reform.

Forestry and fisheries creates jobs

Thu, 16 Jun 2011

In her Budget presentation to Parliament, Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson explains how jobs are being created in the forestry and fisheries departments through various sector programmes: Working on Fisheries, Working on Forestry, and Working on Fire.

Department statement: foot and mouth disease isolated

Sun, 15 May 2011

The Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries says the viruses involved in the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal has been isolated. The infection did not originate from any neighbouring country.

Umbumbulu Agricultural Office will support food security programmes

Sun, 17 Apr 2011

Umbumbulu community will now have easy access to services on their development projects, thanks to a R5million Agricultural Office opened by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development. The state-of-the-art construction, to be used as the department’s satellite office, will ensure that the community of Umbumbulu and surrounding areas participate in programmes including food security campaigns, such as the One Home One Garden and massification projects.

South Africa to host the World Forestry Congress

Thu, 09 Dec 2010

For the first time in its 85-year history, the World Forestry Congress by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations is to be hosted on African soil. The congress, to be held in 2015, will be hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on behalf of the South African government at the Durban International Convention Centre.

Land Claimants urged to use financial compensation for education & productive projects

Wed, 17 Nov 2010

In the 1960s the Ribungwane people were forcibly removed from their fertile ancestral lands, losing not only their homes that were bulldozed but also most of their belongings. Now the mainly illiterate surviving direct descendants, who have chosen financial compensation are being urged to spend the money wisely, investing in their children and grandchildren's education, and in productive enterprises that will secure their future.

Graduates take on fight against poverty

Mon, 15 Nov 2010

Agriculture diplomates will be deployed to communities in KwaZulu-Natal in an initiative to reduce poverty. The Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development has signed contracts deploying the young people to 871 wards in the province where they will educate people in how to grow crops and provide them with seeds and equipment.

Limpopo farms to be assessed

Fri, 22 Oct 2010

As part of the Rural Development and Land Reform Department's monitoring of farms restored to the community, Deputy Minister Dr Joe Phaahla will be assessing progress and challenges on three farms in Tzaneen.

In Kwa-Zulu Natal new tractors boost rural initiative

Mon, 04 Oct 2010

President Zuma and Patrice Motsepe have donated eleven tractors and implements in support of a landmark rural development initiative - the brainchild of President Zuma - launched at the Mnyakanya High School- KwaNxamalala, in Nkandla. The project aims to encourage and support community involvement in agriculture to reduce poverty in rural areas. For more details ...

Joe Phaahla calls for mentors to emerging farmers

Thu, 30 Sep 2010

Deputy Minister Joe Phaahla addressed the AgriSETA Excellence Awards Gala Dinner and explained exactly how mandate of the AgriSETA is entertwined with that of his Department. He called for experience farmers to come forward to mentor emerging farmers.