Limpopo re a e t?okot?a tlala. [T?hwahlelo.] [In Limpopo we alleviate hunger. [Interjections.]]
Limpopo is among the leading provinces in terms of implementing and accelerating this intervention. The provincial government has spent R73 million on Fetsa Tlala mechanisation, whereby 56 560 hectares were planted against the set annual target of 70 000 hectares. We have projected that despite not meeting the national target, 77 955 tons of grain is expected to be harvested, with an estimated potential income of R194 million, with an estimated yield of 1,5 tons per hectare at an estimated market price of R2 500 per ton.
Under the IDC-Nguni Cattle Development programme, 59 projects that favoured 802 women, 1 942 men and 153 youth have been established. The total cattle loan currently stands at 2 521, with an estimated value of R22 million. The latter figure is the cost incurred in procuring the cattle stock. A total of 323 head of cattle have been received as loan repayment already. The total income to farmers from the sale of cattle amounts to R3 million.
In the formative years of the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, CASP, emphasis was put on subsistence farming in order to ensure food security at household level. Since 2009 the programme started funding mega- projects, which responded to economic challenges such as unemployment and decline in the agricultural sector. Since its inception a total of R1,1 billion has been disbursed to 9 150 projects that have 43 890 beneficiaries. The department has constructed 30 environmentally controlled poultry projects, which are mostly linked to local contract markets. The farmers contribute 840 000 chickens per cycle.
Our department, in partnership with the Limpopo department of economic development and the Department of Labour, has concluded plans to make the Lebowakgomo Abattoir fully operational to serve as a central market to other poultry houses.
On the Ilima/Letsema programme, the conditional grant has used a total budget of R43 million to support farmers in grain crops, vegetables, subtropical and citrus farmlands. About 172 projects with 9 220 beneficiaries, covering 45 623 hectares, were supported. Under this intervention, 6 840 permanent and 5 300 temporary jobs were created.
In the current financial year, 112 projects, mainly in the grain and vegetable sector, will be supported. With the total budget close to R46 million, the farming activities of the grant will cover 46 175 hectares.
We have the Jermaat Seed Company based in our province, which is the first black-owned seed company in the country. It has supplied 18 farmers participating in the Land Reform Project with breeder seeds to produce 500 tons of certified seeds.
In conclusion, let us all pause for a moment, draw ounces of inspiration, tons of courage and seek guidance and direction from the Holy Book in all our future land restitution and agrarian reform endeavours. This we can find in the Book of Apostle John 12:24, NLT:
Unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels - a plentiful harvest of new lives.
I thank you. [Applause.]