Irrigation for emerging farmers
Mahlatsi Mgidi
19 November 2004
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has established a new policy to provide financial assistance to resource-poor irrigation farmers.
Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Buyelwa Sonjica made this announcement during the celebration of the 10 millionth recipient of clean water since 1994, held recently in Soverby, Northern Cape.
"This policy will open up a number of opportunities for resource-poor irrigation farmers in the country and will assist them in moving towards becoming commercial farmers in their own right", Sonjica said.
The Blocuso Trust communities had handed in a project proposal for the development of 280 hectares of irrigation land along the Orange River. The trust qualifies for R4.2-million in assistance to build irrigation infrastructure.
Sonjica said the policy was established with the national Departments of Agriculture and Land Affairs, adding that it was one of various programmes the government was
putting in place to help poor farmers.
"In the Northern Cape the policy could see increasing numbers of new and emerging farmers' projects guided by the Northern Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy, which is made up of 4 000 hectares of land", the minister said.
The minister added that the policy could see financial assistance for infrastructure development in the Blocuso communities as well as for projects in Kakamas, Sand Drift, Pella and the Karoo that are currently under review by the Northern Cape government.
To qualify for assistance, farmers need to show that they are organised into legal entities. Priority is given to those who are members of a water user association that could provide them with technical assistance in managing water effectively.
Emerging farmers who do not benefit from the project can apply for grants for water use entitlements in the water trading market.
Those who own irrigation land in government or other water
schemes will qualify for temporary subsidies.
At the moment, emerging farmers along the Orange River at Witbank, Goodhouse and Blocuso are benefiting from this subsidy.
Sonjica said assistance would take into account the need for equity in access to water, the financial position of the recipient, as well as redressing racial and gender discrimination.
"Through the subsidy, emerging irrigation farmers will be assisted further to get a solid financial start in their enterprises", she added.
The department says it is available to supply details on the other areas of assistance - including viability studies, training, and rain water harvesting for households - and will work with provincial departments, Agri-Northern Cape and emerging farmers' organisations to ensure the policy is a success.
Source: BuaNews
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