Newsroom

By Matsobane Manaka

The budget vote for financial year 2023/24 for the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) sends a sigh of relief to farmers who find it difficult to float during economic times where rising cost of production, mainly fuel and fertilisers were compounded by current electricity blackouts.

The much-anticipated budget vote was presented at the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, Lebowakgomo. It aims not only to mitigate the impact of this unfavourable condition on agricultural production, but to expand agricultural production across the value chain that will subsequently enhance the sector’s inclusive growth of economy, food security, and job creation as per target set in the Limpopo Development Plan.

In his address, MEC of LDARD Thabo Mokone noted that despite these challenges, the department continues to play a crucial role in ensuring the national food security. “The Global Food Security Index, 2022, places South Africa as the most food secure country on the African continent. South Africa is ranked number 01 on the Continent, and globally at number 59, out of 133 countries that have their agricultural sectors worthy of inclusion in the GFS Index.

“We believe that this is made possible through the hard work of our farmers and farm workers, the agricultural industry at various levels and of course the supportive role of Government through various enabling policies and programmes”.

The current allocation of one billion seven hundred and seventy million, seven hundred and eighty-six thousand rand (R1, 770, 786) in 2023/24  is made up of Equitable Share (ES) allocation and Conditional Grants (CG) of one billion four hundred and thirty thousand, four hundred and twenty rand of (R1 430 420) Equitable Share (ES) allocation and Conditional Grants (CG) amounting to three hundred and forty million, three hundred and sixty-six thousand rand (R340 366 000) respectively.

The allocations are as follows:  

Budget summary