RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

The Agricultural Research Council was established in 1993 with the emphasis on agricultural research, while the extension component remained part of  the Department of Agriculture.

 The most significant achievement in terms of policy change was the deregulation of the marketing sector to bring it in line with the social and economic democratisation of  the country and with international trends towards deregulation.

 During the transformation process greater emphasis was placed on small-scale developing agriculture. Significant progress has been made in land reform, access to credit and market opportunities.

 Various problems remain as part of the agricultural scene, such as scarcity of water recourses, desertification, soil erosion, soaring input costs, the crime factor and population growth. The new democratic government will have to address these problems and face the challenge to reconstruct a small-holding agriculture to secure household food security, to empower women farmers and to encourage young people to become involved in agriculture.

AREA AND POPULATION

 The Republic of  South Africa covers an area of 122,3 million hectares, and has a total population of 37,9 million people. Although Gauteng is the smallest province, it is the most densely populated with 422 people per square km compared to the Northern Cape Province, which is the largest province but has a population density of only 2 people per square km.

NATURAL RECOURCES

 About 13% of South Africa’s surface area can be used for crop production.  High potential arable land comprises only 22% of the total arable land.  Slightly more than 1.2 million hectares are under irrigation.

 The most important factor limiting agricultural production is the availability of water.  Rainfall is distributed unevenly across the country, with humid subtropical conditions occurring in the east and dry, desert conditions in the west. Almost 50% of South Africa’s water is used for agricultural purposes.

 Varying climatic zones and topography enable the production of almost any kind of crop, resulting in South Africa being self-sufficient as far as most major crops are concerned.

RAINFALL

 The country is divided into three main rainfall regions: a winter rainfall region in the south-western Cape, an area with rainfall throughout the year along the southern coastal region and a summer rainfall area in the rest of the county.  Another feature is an increase in rainfall from the western to the eastern parts.  Less than 125 mm a year occurs along the eastern escarpment.

 The achievement of  the South African farmer have shown, however, that judicious use of the soil together with the necessary expertise and sound management skills, not only makes surplus production possible, but also ensures a steady supply of agricultural produce to the local markets.

MAJOR NATURAL VEGETATION REGIONS

 Latitude, altitude and different currents along the coast create a variety of climatic zones.  The winter rainfall area is characterised by its macchia (fynbos) vegetation, including the Protea family. Further eastwards, favourable rainfall is expected throughout the year and natural forest extends almost to the sea, including trees such as Cape Stinkwood (Ocotea bullata), yellowwood (Podocarpus) and black ironwood (Olea capensis).

PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

 A major function of the Department of Agriculture is the conservation of natural resources. The protection of our natural agricultural resources is vital for household food security. The conservation of these resources can be achieved through sustainable agricultural practices.

 The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act controls the utilisation of the country’s agricultural land. Land used for agriculture comprises 84% of the country’s total area.

 The effectiveness of this legislation will determine the country’s ability to feed its ever increasing population, while greater demands are being made to use agricultural land for nonagricultural purposes.  Law enforcement should go hand in hand with an awareness of the need for conservation.

LAND-USE PATTERN

 Agricultural land in South Africa is mainly used for grazing.  Cash crops are also cultivated on a large area.

 Forestry comprises a small part of the agricultural land but a reasonable area is reserved for conservation purposes.