Agriculture
In relation to the Presidential Employment Stimulus:
(1) (a) What is the reason that the province has the lowest number of beneficiaries of any province and (b) why is the rate at which these vouchers are redeemed in the province so low;
(2) Whether the Department is in a position to support farmers in this regard; if so, what support can his Department provide to ensure that more subsistence farmers benefit from this initiative in the future?
[1a] It is difficult to say, but applicants who have received the CASP/ Ilima Letsema grants during the previous or current financial year, were not eligible for the PES grants. Furthermore, this was an online application process driven by the national Department, and where the Department does not have control over the number of applications. The Western Cape Province also has fewer people living in rural areas compared to other provinces, which may indicate the reason for the low number of applications.
[1b] There are various reasons for this i.e:
- Applicants thought they are going to receive cash funding;
- During the verification process applicants could not prove any agricultural activities;
- Some applicants did not comply with the criteria i.e South African Citizenship; and
- Farmers were issued with wrong vouchers.
[2] Yes, most enquiries from clients about the PES programme came to Departmental officials or offices as we are seen as the face of Agriculture in the Province. Our officials assisted clients with the completion of the online app and advised on registered available suppliers. We will continue with our advice and support to farmers in terms of completion of applications, link them with officials from DALRRD/PSSC and inform farmers about this nationally driven opportunity for support. Furthermore, we will assist the PSSC with the evaluation and approval process as stipulated in the Terms of Reference [TOR] for this project.
