It is indeed a pleasure and an honour for me to welcome you here at Elsenburg, the home of agriculture in the Western Cape.

We want to thank you for the opportunity afforded to us to arrange this conference on behalf of the National Department of Agriculture. It is always a pleasure to receive visitors not only from other provinces, but especially from other countries, thus allowing us to introduce you to our home for all the people.

As the government in the Western Cape, we are driven by the ideal of IKAPA ELIHLUMAYO, which means the growing cape, and in this growing cape we are always looking for ways to promote ourselves. We are proud to be fully committed to the governments programs to redress the injustices of the past and to work actively, with vigour to push back the frontiers of poverty.

The Western Cape government is set on creating a home for all our people and it is the duty of agriculture to bring the food to the table in this home for all our people. The role that LandCare plays in this process is of the outmost importance to sustainable farmer settlement, land reform and sustainable resource management.

You will allow me to make use of this opportunity to introduce to you in a very humble way the role that agriculture plays in the economy of the Western Cape and also in the country. The Agricultural sector is a major contributor in our fight against poverty. In this regard I think it is important that I indicate to you what the current performance of Agriculture is within the economy in the Western Cape.The total output of the primary agricultural sector in the Western Cape grew from R10,4 billion in 1999 to R11,8 billion in 2001 (an increase of 13,5 % over the two year period). The main industries in the primary agricultural sector include fruit (R2,4 bn), winter grain (R1.8bn), white meat (R1,6 bn), viticulture (R1,6 bn) and vegetables (R1,4 bn).It is apparent that agriculture plays an important role in the economy and it is clear that this sector has grown consistently since the political transformation of 1994.

The South African agricultural sector is an important earner of foreign exchange, namely R14.7 billion in 1999. Well over half of the country's agricultural exports originate from the Western Cape. The Western Cape's two most important export products (wine and fruit) are indelibly linked to the agricultural sector. A third (hides, skins and leather), are an extremely important product, originating from the extensive rural areas of the province. It is also clear that these industries are still on a strong growth curve with especially the wine industry being an unqualified success. While the volume increased from 23 million litres in 1991 to 217 million litres in 2002, the value increased even more rapidly.

From the 2001 Census data it is clear that, while manufacturing in the Western Cape shed 30 000 jobs, agriculture gained 32 000. . Recent research has indicated that substitution of permanent labour with temporary or seasonal labour is taking place in some areas. It is also found that an increasing number of farmers make use of labour contracting and that there is a relative increase in the number of women farm workers.It is important to identify the current challenges that agriculture is facing and you will allow me to name a few.

a) Land reform and Black Economic Empowerment. This remains a critical issue for the social, political and economic stability of South Africa. Creative solutions, not only regarding land ownership, but also in the up in downstream activities, should be developed and implemented.
b) Food safety. Although the food safety was in South Africa traditionally subservient to the availability of food, it is becoming increasingly clear that food safety issues should receive mounting priority. This is not only the case for export markets but also on the domestic market.
c) Food security. It is true that many people are still going hungry every day in South Africa and in the Western Cape. It is sad that this often occurs within walking distance from full granaries and packing sheds. Or, in other words, the food is available, but people do not have the money to buy food. Thus, a food security strategy should be based on two legs. The first is to enable people to have the financial measures to buy food and the second is to help people to produce their own food within their limited means.
d) The natural environment. The agricultural sector is one of the primary custodians of the natural resources and bio-diversity of the Western Cape. In addition to the responsible use of these resources, possible climactic change can become a major issue. In addition, increasing pressure on these resources due to population and economic growth necessitates a fresh approach.
e) Competitiveness. A good resource base is not enough anymore to ensure international competitiveness. Furthermore, South Africa's open economy ensure that competition with foreign producers do not only occur on the global market, but also on the domestic market. This challenge has to be faced by both poor as well as commercial farmers. The only way to address this challenge is through the development of appropriate and ingenious technology, demand chain development and support institutions.
f) Markets. The changing nature of the demand for agricultural products means that the prices of agricultural commodities will indefinitely remain under pressure. It is clear from the track record of the sector that farmers successfully adapted to the deregulation of agricultural markets. The challenge facing the local sector is to develop differentiated and niche products tailor made for the 21st Century consumer and to develop the appropriate markets. Examples of products using these opportunities include the Rooibos, Honeybush, Protea, Organic and Ostrich industries. Given our natural wealth of indigenous fauna and flora, immense potential exist for further expansion in this regard.

Chairperson, the challenges for agriculture are enormous but not insurmountable but I have to re-emphasise again that these challenges cannot be overcome without the valuable contribution of LandCare. In the Western Cape and in the rest of South Africa we have tackled this process of redressing the wrongs of the past with vigour and I'm sure you will allow me to mention a few of these projects where LandCare and LandCare related programs played a pivotal role in their success. You will have the opportunity to visit some of these projects in the next few days.

Elim & Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative
This project illustrates the new and innovative regional planning initiatives and the integration of all agencies to support landowners in the area to conserve and utilise the natural resources. Elim is a community within this area, which has implemented successful natural resource conservation projects and is integrated in the regional plan. It represents sustainable natural resource management from the bottom ground level to the top regional or provincial level.

Slanghoek Area wide Planning
This new and innovative method of natural resource management is an example of integrated resource utilization at its best and the empowerment of disabled people and the passion with which their trainers have tackled the task. This is a good example even for able people. Olive People's TrustProbably the best example of empowerment of farm workers there is in South Africa. A beautiful initiative, which can be duplicated in any large farming concern.

Empowerment, capacity building, land reform and training are well illustrated in this exciting project where the wine that is produced is sold internationally. Also of note are the capacity building initiatives of the empowered workers.

This exciting project displays empowerment and capacity building at ground level with the aim of extending it to all NEPAD countries.

Cape Flats Nature
This project illustrates community poverty relief projects, which are part of the Biodiversity Initiative of the City of Cape Town. This is one of the only cities in the world to have a Biodiversity Initiative. This is a must for trainers, community groups and educators in natural resource management.And Soil for Life: Build the soil, grow the plant, feed the people, and heal the planet.

Zionsberg
This project shows a successful community-based farm and an exciting start by new entrants to farming activities.

Thandi project produces the sweet fruits of empowerment
The project has presented us with the ideal opportunity of synergy and cooperation between all the stakeholders by making optimal use of the land and simultaneously addressing the crucial issues of housing, employment and empowerment. In the words of Safcol chairman Charles Ntuli. "It is an exciting and inspiring project that is a blueprint for similar community development and empowerment initiatives in South Africa."The Thandi project, situated in the Elgin Valley, was started in 1996 by the two founding trustees, Safcol and De Rust Wine Estate, who provided 200 hectares of land and funding for a venture which involved the local community in a lucrative and sustainable fruit farming enterprise. The total investment amounts to R13,5 million and 233 historically disadvantaged South Africans have invested their government grants in the project.

Dr Paul Cluver, renowned winemaker, deciduous fruit farmer and owner of De Rust, says of the project "Our chief objective was the creation of a profitable farming enterprise for formerly disadvantaged people in which they could be integrated as equal partners and ultimately generate foreign currency for South Africa." As South Africans we are proud of our success stories but we are very aware that LandCare is not a process in isolation. It should be a coordinated global exercise where we all join hands to develop and protect at the same time.

In conclusion I trust that you will enjoy a fruitful visit to the Western Cape and this conference would strengthen the ties between all of us who have LandCare and LandCare related issues at heart. Once again welcome to the Western Cape.

Enquiries:Alie van Jaarsveld
Cell: 084 6046701