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By Zwi Maphiri, Matsobane Manaka and Maphuti Machabaphala

MEC responsible for Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) Nakedi Kekana has committed to drive an inclusive growth in her presentation of budget vote for financial year 2025/26 at Lebowakgomo Legislature on 10 April 2025.

“This Budget Vote is anchored on the priorities outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa for the 7th Administration, and it speaks directly to the urgent challenges confronting our people i.e. the high cost of living, persistent poverty, joblessness, and inequality”, said MEC.

With the total allocated budget of R1.91 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, MEC Kekana, through the department’s five-year strategic plan, strove to promote inclusive growth by transforming emerging farmers into commercial producers and increasing the participation of historically marginalized groups including women, youth, people with disabilities, and military veterans.

Key focus, among others, will be on the investment in climate smart agriculture and resilient farming systems; scaling up RAAVC (Revitalisation of Agriculture and Agro-processing Value Chain) infrastructure projects; promoting sustainable land use practices; developing critical and future-focused agricultural skills; research and innovation; unlock the digital economy; industrialise and beneficiate for inclusive economic growth thus creating jobs.

MEC Kekana reiterated that this service delivery approach is not a tick-box exercise; it is the heartbeat of “our social contract”.

She appealed to Honourable Members that combating food insecurity starts with them. “As part of our initiative to combat food insecurity, poverty, and hunger, we are launching the ‘One Household, One Backyard Garden’ programme, which extends to churches and schools. This initiative is intended to be embraced by the community.  It should start with us as Honourable Members of this house, to promote local food production for food security”.

Eight key programmes upon which the budget is strategically structured, will be core drivers of the department’s five-year strategic plan. This will include the implementation of the SCOPA and portfolio committees’ resolutions, the internal audit and audit action plan in order to attain the clean audit. However, MEC Kekana vowed to capacitate the supply chain personnel to implement forward planning and start procurement in the 1st quarter of the F/Y.

Budget allocations are structured as follows:

LDARD 2025/26 BUDGET ALLOCATION PER PROGRAMME  

LDARD 2025/26 BUDGET ALLOCATION PER SOURCE OF REVENUE