OVERVIEW
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The Western Cape Department of Agriculture provides a wide range of development, research and support services to the agricultural community in the Western Cape. The Department's administrative headquarters is situated on the historic farm Elsenburg in the picturesque Boland region, while we also accommodate new and commercial farmers at research farms, Further Education and Training Centres, extension offices, state veterinary offices, and animal health technicians situated throughout the province. The Western Cape produces between 55% and 60% of South Africa's agricultural exports, valued at more than R7 billion per annum. We also contribute more than 20% to South Africa's total agricultural production. The agricultural sector not only stimulates economic growth in the province, it also plays a major role in creating sustainable job opportunities. The Department's service area covers approximately 13 million hectares, of which 3 million hectares are under cultivation and 270,000 hectares are under irrigation. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has a direct or indirect influence on the production of wine, deciduous fruit, citrus, grain, fynbos, vegetables, ostriches, small and large stock, as well as milk and dairy products. The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate with an annual rainfall of more than 2,000mm in certain areas, although parts of the Little Karoo and the North West Region have rainfall of less than 150mm per year. This great variation in rainfall and soil types contributes to the wide variety of crops grown in the province. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture delivers the following broad range of services:
These services are delivered through six programmes, namely:
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