About Us
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture is primarily responsible for the promotion of agriculture in all its rich diversity in the Western Cape. It provides a wide range of development, research and support services to the agricultural community in the Western Cape.
The department’s administrative headquarters are situated on the historic farm, Elsenburg, in the picturesque Boland region. We also render services to new and commercial farmers and Agri workers from our regional research farms, Further Education and Training Centres, extension offices and state veterinary offices.
About 45% of South Africa’s agricultural exports move through the Western Cape and the value-added in the sector amounts to just less than R21 billion per annum.
The agricultural sector not only stimulates economic growth in the province, but it also plays a major role in creating sustainable job opportunities. The department is very committed to delivering on Project Khulisa as part of the Western Cape Government’s Strategic Goal 1.
The department’s service area covers approximately 13 million hectares, of which 2 million hectares are under cultivation and 320 000 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 department has also made a commitment to support alternative products and crops within the agricultural sector both in terms of finance and service.
The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate with an average rainfall, which ranges from well over 1 000mm per annum in some mountainous areas in the south and eastern regions to less than 150mm over parts of the Karoo and the north-west regions. This great variation in rainfall and soil types contributes to the wide variety of crops grown in the province.