Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism
Question by Hon Masipa.
In relation to the Citrusdal farmers and the farming community that has been affected by the recent floods:
What specific support is being provided to these farmers to ensure that their harvest reaches both the international and local markets?
The Upper Olifants River near Citrusdal provides a fundamental environmental service to local communities and farmers. The river and canal systems in the area are the key source of irrigation water for agriculture as well as water to domestic and industrial supply. The river also provides an ecological corridor, acting as a natural habitat for a wide variety of plants and animal species. All these point to the key project objective, which is to restore the functionality of the river, especially in those areas with threatened critical infrastructure.
The WCDoA transferred R14.980 million to the Citrusdal Water Users Association. The financial support is for the following:
- The removal of approximately 345 000m³ of material within stretches of approximately 2.3km of the Olifants river;
- Reinstate drainage pathways;
- Remove debris and sediment islands;
- Shape riverbanks to correct slopes; and
- Removal of invasive alien plants – 450 ha cleared, 3 648 person day jobs, and 96 people employed.
After the recent flood events, effective coordination between the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), organised agriculture and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture allowed for the swift repair of the main transport route. Long term plans are in place to ensure the sustainability of the entire river system, based on the three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental and social), while taking climate change and extreme weather events into account. These interventions enable the movement of produce to markets, both locally and internationally.
