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Institutional Support for the Sustainable Use of

Communal Rangelands in South Africa

Presentation for Portfolio Committee of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

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Animal Production in South Africa

Almost 80% of South Africa agricultural land can be classified as arid- semi-arid, characterized by low & erratic rainfall patterns- thus, making Animal Production as the most viable farming operation.

Animal production should play an important role in food security, job creation, & rural livelihoods in the country.

Animal production in the communally managed areas in the country is heavily reliant on rangelands as the main and cheapest source of fodder and is largely characterized by a relatively low off take and minimal commercial activity in contrast with the established producer sector in similar production environments.

Contribution of existing rangelandsCommunal Livestock Production is governed by a complex

tenure systems and therefore, the contribution of animal

Production towards improved livelihoods, food security, and

job creation can only be realized through fostering a sound

multi- institutional support base in order to allow for

integrated-planning and guide the provision (& flow) of

various support services offered through government and

other institutions.

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Components of institutional support

PolicyStrategy Legislation Technical support Financial support

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Providing institutional support for improved livestock production off communal rangelands

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What is in place?

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D: ANIMAL PRODUCTION OTHER DAFF DIRECTORATES & PROGRAMMES

OTHER DEPARTMENTS & INSTITUTIONS

1. Animal Improvement Act (Support for animal recording and improvement )

2. Animal Improvement policy

3. National Livestock Development Strategy (NLDS)

4. National Rangeland Monitoring & Improvement Programme (NRMIP) - Five year pilot to be permanent

5. National Veld and Forage policy (To be published shortly )

1. D: LUSM (Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act)

2. D: Small Holder Development

3. Land Care Programme & CASP

DRDLR

DEA

DWA

SANBI (grassland biome )

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The Range and Forage Policy: Overall Objective

To provide a framework to promote and facilitate the sustainable management of South Africa’s veld and forage resources for animal production with the capacity to support compliance to the relevant legislation/regulations

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Sustainable use of natural resources: Key Issues for Consideration

Promote the use of indigenous livestock breeds and wildlife farming in order to reduce risk of environmental degradation.

Lobby for integration of departmental farmer-support initiatives (i.e. request that Land Care/ CASP funding to be allocated in collaboration with Animal Improvement Schemes).

Market Availability & Accessibility.

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Plan of action to address concerns raised by NERPO and to incorporate the decisions of the

Portfolio Committee on Agriculture in an integrated approach to more effective use of

communal grazing in South Africa

Strategic partners/stakeholders and their roles

• DAFF – providing Policy, Regulatory , Technical support and M&E

• DRDLR – providing land and necessary infrastructure • DWA – issuing water use rights and permits • DEA – implementation of environmental regulations – e.g.

EIA, NEMA, NEMBA • COGTA – coordination on the use of communal land • ARC Range and Forage Institute – implementing the NRMIP• ARC Animal Improvement Institute – animal improvement

schemes and systems research

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Strategic partners/stakeholders and their roles (continued )

• SANBI (Grassland Biome ) – responsible for grassland biome activities

• Portfolio Committee on Agriculture – Political oversight • Producer and Farmer organisations ( AGRI SA, AFASA, TAU,

NERPO, RPO, NWGA, WRSA, RMIF, etc. ) representing the interests of farmers / producers and also acting as implementing agents

• Scientific organisations ( GSSA, SASAS ) – knowledge sharing and research outputs

• Universities and colleges – capacity building , knowledge sharing and research outputs

• Provincial and Local Government – implementation of projects

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Plan of actionIdentification of pilot areas ( small stock and

large stock ) using the NRMIP benchmark sites and information on existing infrastructure that could be used for farmer support programmes.(DAFF,PDA’S,DRDLR, R & D institutions, Farmer Organisation’s, etc)

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Plan of actionComprehensive review of existing and relevant

projects programs at National, regional and local government level

Establishment of a National Stakeholder Working Group ( DAFF, DRDLR, R &D institutions, etc.)

Stakeholder/ community consultation and needs analysis

Development of comprehensive implementation programs for the pilot projects with MOU’s / SLA’s for relevant stakeholders and service providers

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Thank you