Press releases

Most recent news

First Rift Valley fever fatality in the Western Cape - no need to panic

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed today that a 49-year old male from the Karoo has been the first human to die from Rift Valley Fever in the Western Cape. He died in Oudtshoorn Hospital. The NICD is still investigating the patient’s source of exposure. It is unsure in which manner he contracted the disease. There have been confirmed cases of Rift Valley Fever in animals in the Oudtshoorn area. Read more here.
2010-04-28

Enough Rift Valley Fever vaccine available

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture today confirmed that Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) has significantly increased its Rift Valley Fever (RVF) vaccine production. It is building up an adequate quantity of inactive RVF vaccine. The inactivated vaccine is safe to use on all animals, including pregnant animals. Currently OBP has more than 5 million doses of live RVF vaccine, but this type of vaccine may cause abortions in pregnant animals. Read more here.
2010-04-20

2010

Western Cape steps up Rift Valley Fever fight

Gerrit van Rensburg, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Western Cape announced that the fight to keep Rift Valley Fever out of the Western Cape has been stepped up. An additional 35 000 units of livestock in the northern parts of the province will now be inoculated as part of the Department of Agriculture’s preventative strategy, Van Rensburg said. Read more here.
Fact sheets available here.
2010-03-30

Potato training day at Elsenburg

Potatoes South Africa and the Department of Agriculture will host a potato training day on 23 and 24 March at Elsenburg. Read more here.
2010-03-01

SKOG Farmer's days have new format

After discussions with various roleplayers it was decided that the SKOG farmer's days will from now on have the format og SKOG Trials feedback days. Read more here
2010-03-01

Minister concerned about increased fuel levy

“I am concerned about the effect that the raised fuel levy will have on the shelf price of food, as fuel costs play a major role in the distribution thereof”, Gerrit van Rensburg, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Western Cape, said in response to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s recent National Budget announcement on the increased fuel levy. Read more here.
2010-02-21

Southern Cape gets drought aid

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Western Cape, Gerrit van Rensburg, today announced an aid package of R26.9 Million for the drought stricken Eden District Municipality in the southern Cape. The area was declared a disaster area on 13 November 2009. Read more here.
2010-02-08

Call for funding applications: Farmworker Development Programme 2010/11

Applications for funding for Farmworker Development programmes are now invited. The deadline for applications is 26 February. Application forms, together with supporting documents must be sealed in a clearly addressed envelope and posted or hand delivered to the Department of Agriculture’s district offices. Download English application form here and Afrikaans application form here.
2010-02-04

2009

Young Professionals Programme now open for applications

The objective of the Programme for Young Professional Persons (YPP) is the empowerment of individuals from previously disadvantaged communities through the gaining of experience and formal academic training. Click here for more information on the programme and how to apply for 2010.
2009-08-12

Essay competition winners announced

The Department of Agriculture hosted an essay competition where entrants had to motivate why agriculture is important and how they propose to make a difference in the sector. The two winners were Michael Balele and Ayabonga Kalipa. Read more.
2009-07-29

Prickly pear information day

Due to a need for an alternative crop in the dryer areas of the Western Cape an information day on prickly pear production will be held in George on 30 July. Prickly pear as a fruit crop as well as feed for livestock will be discussed. Practical aspects regarding production will be addressed. For more information contact Dr Jacques van Zyl.
2009/07/27

Agribusiness and climate change conference

An agribusiness and climate change conference will be held at the Erinvale Hotel, Somerset West from 17-18 June 2009. This conference is held with the Department of Agriculture: Western Cape, the SA Agri Academy, the British Consulate General in Cape Town and UK Trade and Invest as partners. Full particulars and registration details available here. Well-known speakers from South Africa and the UK will feature on the programme.
2009/07/29