NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 37
DATE OF PUBLICATION: THURSDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2011 [IQP No 1 -2011] SECOND
SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 37 for Written Reply: National Council of Provinces: Prince M M
Zulu (IFP-KZN) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
Whether any disaster management strategies are in place for farmers and
rural communities in order to manage such disastrous conditions despite the
changing weather patterns; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant
details? CW38E
REPLY
Yes,
The Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002) is the legislation that
governs all disasters in the country. The National Disaster Management
Framework provides a national framework for all disaster-related policies
and strategies from line function Departments. The Disaster Management Act
57 of 2002 and the National Disaster Management Framework of 2005 focuses
more on disaster risk reduction.
The Climate Change and Disaster Management Directorate within the
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries facilitate the disaster
risk management implementation in the sector. The Early Warning System
communicates early warning information in the form of monthly National Agro-
meteorological Committee (NAC) advisories and daily extreme weather
warnings for disaster risk avoidance, reduction, prevention, preparedness
and mitigation as per the Disaster Management Act, No.57 of 2002.
DAFF used the National Disaster Management Framework of 2005 to develop the
following policies and strategies which focus on disaster risk reduction:
1. Agricultural Disaster Management Plan
The Agricultural Disaster Management Plan was workshopped in 2008/09 with
all relevant stakeholders and it has been taken through all government
structures for further approvals. The plan was delayed due to the
restructuring in the Department.
2. Agricultural Drought Management Plan
The draft Agricultural Drought Management Plan was signed by the Minister
in 2007. The document will now be presented to the cabinet clusters.
3. Agricultural Flood Management Plan
The national workshop on the Agricultural Flood Management Plan was held in
2010 to solicit inputs and comments from stakeholders. The document will be
gazetted during 2011/12 financial year for public comments.
It is important to note that while awaiting approval, the above-mentioned
strategies are being used to assist farmers in cases of disasters (through
disaster assistance schemes) as well as risk reduction measures (through
awareness campaigns and capacity building on risk measures).