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You've reached the Department of Agriculture and rural development: Western Cape's official website. This site is dedicated to providing an efficient and comprehensive agricultural information service.Looking for something specific? Try a SEARCH on this page.
Events calendar:
July 2010
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Confused by an acronym used in these pages or other government communication? This page may help!
Links to websites of agricultural events, festivals, shows
AGRI-YOUTH:
Careers, info, games and more
Your weather today
Dam levels
Western Cape Water: For dam levels click here
LATEST NEWS
Farmworker's forum meets the Premier
The Western Cape Prestige Farmworker Forum met the Premier or the Western Cape, Ms Helen Zille, on 27 July. The forum is the brainchild of Minister Gerrit van Rensburg in die lewe geroep, and consist of the winners of the annaula Western Cape Farmworkers competition. Read press release in Afrikaans here.28/07/2010
Tygerhoek research farm is 50
Tygerhoek research farm celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. An information day was offered on 20 July as part of the festivities surrounding this event.FET lecturer awarded AVCASA award
Henry Cook, senior lecturer at the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training, received an award for service to the society and environment from AVCASA during the 2010 AVCASA Congress in Gauteng. The award is made in recognition of individuals who play a critical role in providing training and assistance to agricultural stakeholders as far as strategies to pest management and disease resistance in animal and crop production is concerned. Read more here.2010-06-23
Additional help for Eden farmers requested
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gerrit van Rensburg, asked National Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, for an additional R50 million disaster aid towards the drought stricken Eden District. “The R26.9 million received from National Government earlier this year is spent”, Van Rensburg said today. The Eden District was declared a disaster area in November 2009 due to an ongoing drought. Read more here.2010-06-03
Gerrit van Rensburg opens farmworker summit
Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, addressed delegates at the Western Cape Farm Worker Summit in Goudini, outside Rawsonville. He said that the Western Cape Government acknowledges the valuable role farm workers play in the province. “You are important people”, Van Rensburg said. Read more here. Read speech here2010-05-10
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Rift Valley Fever - releases here
Southern Cape drought - releases here
Climate Change
Services
- Veterinary laboratory services
- Plant production laboratory services
- Pest monitor
- Weather analysis Agri-Outlook - June 2010 now available
- Agricultural statistics
- Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
- Farmer information days - for information about these days and also information disseminated at these days, click here.
Programmes
What do we do? Click below for a summary and contact details:- Sustainable Resource Management
- Technology, Research and Development
- Farmer Support and Development
- Agricultural economics
- Structured Agricultural Training
- Veterinary Services
Career opportunities: click here
Media
At the Department of Agriculture, much information can be downloaded by using the following links:- Information sheets
Information sheets provide information about animals production and diseases, plant production and diseases, and many other topics of agricultural interest. - Agri-Probe
Our quarterly magazine, fully downloadable. - Radio Elsenburg
Afrikaans radio programmes from Radio Sonder Grense - Official Publications
Official publications, such as the Annual Report, Strategic plans, etc. - Other publications
Includes guides, strategic documents, collaborative publications with other stakeholders.
Training & Youth
Degree course? Short courses? Your career in agriculture starts here! Agricultural training is offered by the Department at the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training: Elsenburg. Click here for more information on Higher Education courses and Further Education and Training courses.
Check out what agriculture offers in terms of career opportunities here.
Combining in-service training and independent research - the YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAMME offers opportunities for students who wish to complete their Master's degrees. Closing date for applications 31 August.
We are committed to Skills Development by providing opportunities for unemployed undergraduates and graduates work experience in various skills areas through an INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME. Closing date: 30 September.
Emerging farmer?
- Land reform enquiries?
Although the Department of Agriculture: Western Cape is not directly involved with land claims, the procedure for land claims is outlined here. Contact details for the Department of Land Affairs are also available here. - Want to set up a food garden? We can help!
Ministry of Agriculture
The Minister for the Department of Agriculture: Western Cape is Mr Gerrit van Rensburg. For more information, click here.- Recent news
- Recent speeches
- Photo gallery
- 2010 budget speech - here
Special interest
- Climate Change
Climate change is widely recognised as the most serious environmental threat to our planet. - read more here. - PROVIDE project
The Provincial Decision-Making Enabling (PROVIDE) Project is a national project to facilitate policy decision-making. - Water and biodiversity
The Western Cape is particularly vulnerable in terms of surface water as well as biodiversity. Have a look here for links to our activities relating to water and biodiversity.
