MEC for Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), Ms Nandi Ndalane presented 2021/22 Financial Year Budget Speech to the Limpopo Provincial Legislature on 13 April 2021 at Lebowakgomo.
The LDARD has been allocated one billion five hundred and forty-seven thousand, seven hundred and eighty rand (R1 547 780.00) for the current financial year. The budget was divided into various Programmes as hereunder;
• Administration-two hundred and sixty-six million five hundred and forty-seven thousand rand (R266,547 million).
• Sustainable Resource Use and Management-seventy-five million and sixty-six thousand rand (R75,066 million).
• Agricultural Producer Support and Development-Nine hundred and fifty-six million one hundred and forty-two thousand rand (R956,142 million).
• Veterinary Services-fifty-two million nine hundred and ninety-two thousand rand (R52,992 million).
• Research and Technology Development Services-forty-five million two hundred and forty-three thousand rand (R45,243 million).
• Agricultural Economic Services-thirty-four million and thirty-two thousand rand (R34,032 million)
• Agricultural Education and Training-one hundred and seventeen million seven hundred and fifty-eight thousand rand (R117,758 million).
The MEC stated that the current financial year budget has decreased by R483,531 million. She said in accordance with Premier Stanley Mathabatha in his State of the Province Address, the Provincial Government would reposition “the agricultural sector to take a leading position in our economic recovery for growth and development”.
“We are confident that our recently finalised Plan for the Revitalisation of Agriculture and Agro-processing Value Chain (RAAVC) is well positioned to create such an enabling environment. The RAAVC Plan articulates the development plans and catalytic projects through which the sector hopes to contribute towards the economic recovery interventions,” indicated Ndalane.
She said the LDARD would continue with partnerships for financing, market linkages and expertise. “The multi-year implementation of some of the identified catalytic projects will commence this financial year…. I would also like to salute our frontline workers who displayed their selflessness by putting their lives on the line by working during the harsh storm of the pandemic. Many of you will recall that during the hard lockdown…our frontline workers were recalled to the office in order to process Covid-19 relief fund applications to help our ailing farmers,” added the MEC.