Directorate: Research Support Services -
GIS and Climate Change
Geographic Information System (GIS) Unit
The GIS unit is a component of Research Support Services in the Research and Technology Development Services (RTDS) Programme.
Apart from undertaking and supporting research needs in RTDS, the GIS provides a broad range of functions and services, many of which are transversal in nature. We work in a very dynamic and fast-evolving field which also encompasses technologies such as Remote Sensing, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) mapping, Spatial Web and dashboard development and the development of various spatial models and analytical tools. We also manage and provide access to a newly established weather-monitoring network spread across the province – one of the recommended actions emanating from the SmartAgri Programme.
The GIS at WCDoA had its origins in the mapping of natural and agricultural resources – strongly focused on soils, climate, water, vegetation and agricultural activities. Whilst these still comprise a large part of our activities and spatial database, the scope of GIS and its spatial data has become all-encompassing, having being identified as a key (and mandated) component of national development planning at all levels of government.
To this end the GIS unit manages and provides access to the detailed land use data from the WCDoA “Flyover” – a detailed field-level observation census of cultivated land conducted every 4 to 5 years, indicating the “footprint” of agriculture in terms of crops and infrastructure. We work closely with other provincial departments, as well as liaising with national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. We are also required to conform to the requirements of national spatial legislation specific to governmental GIS facilities and operations.
The GIS unit is nominally structured into two overarching (and often overlapping) focus areas:
- The Research and Development component, focused on developing spatial technologies, undertaking research projects and analytics leveraging the application of GIS and associated technologies for agriculture. This component guides the strategic development of WCDoA’s agricultural GIS in the Department and province. (Dr Mike Wallace)
- The GIS Services component, providing support to a wide range of stakeholders, clients and government officials, often on an ad-hoc This support can be in the form of maps, Web applications, data extraction and analysis – and even rapidly deployed spatial apps and dashboards, where appropriate. (Francois Koegelenberg).
- We have 2 GIS Technicians at Elsenburg (Liezl McKenzie and Ronelda Jacobs) and 2 GIS Operators working from Worcester and Bredasdorp respectively (Wilanie de Villiers and Esther Wessels).
The unit is responsible for the maintenance and development of the formidable and ever-growing provincial spatial database. Many of our key datasets are made available for viewing in the popular CapeFarmMapper application which also provides limited analytical and mapping capabilities to stakeholders.
Information at a glance – please contact the department on:
Email: DOA.GIS@westerncape.gov.za
Climate Change: SmartAgri is the Western Cape’s coordinated climate change response for agriculture, providing a practical roadmap to build sector-wide resilience through partnerships, priority projects, research and governance.
The Western Cape Climate Change Response Framework and Implementation Plan for the Agricultural Sector (the SmartAgri Plan) was launched in May 2016 after 20 months of research and stakeholder engagements. The plan presents the “roadmap” for the agricultural sector to travel towards a more productive and sustainable future, despite the uncertainties around specific climate projections.
The SmartAgri project was a collaborative effort between the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning (WCDEA&DP) and conducted under the leadership of the University of Cape Town’s African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI).
The SmartAgri Plan aligns with the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy: Vision 2050 (WCCCRS 2022) and its Implementation Plan, as well as the strategic planning of the WCDoA and the priorities of the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture. The SmartAgri vision is: “Leading the way to a climate-resilient agricultural future for the Western Cape”.
The SmartAgri Plan has been implemented since 2016. A transversal Steering Committee with representatives from WCDoA, WCDEA&DP and the GreenCape Agri-sector Desk provides oversight and guidance. SmartAgri activities, events and outputs are part of the agenda of the Western Cape Climate Change Working Group and the Interministerial Committee on Climate Change that includes both Ministers and both Heads of Department of the two lead departments.
The implementation of the SmartAgri Plan is conducted across the sector with every person and institution across the agricultural value chain playing an important role. Strong public-private partnerships are required to accelerate uptake of climate smart approaches and technologies by the producers that will develop better resilience to climate variability and extremes. Industry associations and other groups representing farmers and disaster managers have played an important partnership role from the start.
Research and innovation form a core pillar, with SmartAgri-aligned projects led by WCDoA scientists, increased postgraduate research, and the development of climate-smart tools such as drones and Cape Farm Mapper. Conservation Agriculture is a flagship research programme with global recognition. Joint identification of current research priorities with industry research leaders has highlighted (a) water use and management, (b) understanding and management of pests/diseases/weeds and other biosecurity challenges, (c) expanded and accessible climate monitoring network and databases, (d) postgraduate training and skills development, and (e) climate-adapted genetic development.
An external evaluation of the SmartAgri Plan (2014-2016) and its first phase of implementation (2016-2019) was completed in April 2020. The evaluation culminated in an Evaluation Report that outlined seven high level recommendations. These were actioned from 2021-2022.
The WCDoA has published a quarterly newsletter – the SmartAgri Barometer – since 2017.
All editions can be accessed here: https://www.greenagri.org.za/smartagri-2/smartagri-newsletter/
For the full set of knowledge resources and more information, please visit https://www.greenagri.org.za/smartagri-2/about/
SmartAgri Plan: Status Quo Review of Climate Change and Agriculture in the Western Cape Province (reading material)
- Smart Agri Status Quo Review 2016
- Smart Agri Status Quo Review 2022
- Executive Summary: English/Afrikaans/Xhosa
Information at a glance – please contact the department on:
Tel: 021 808 5080
Email: Stephanie.Midgley@westerncape.gov.za
Meet the GIS and Climate Change teams
Dr Mike Wallace
Dr Stephanie Midgley
Francois Koegelenberg
FC Basson
Specialist Scientist: Research and Technology Development Services.
Tel: 021 808 5088. Email: Mike.Wallace@westerncape.gov.za
Specialist Scientist: Climate Change
Tel: 021 808 5080. Email: Stephanie.Midgley@westerncape.gov.za
GIS Services Manager
Tel: 021 808 5493. Email: Francois.Koegelenberg@westerncape.
gov.za
GISc Technologist
Tel: 021 808 5416. Email: Fc.Basson@westerncape.gov.za
Liezl MacKenzie
Ronelda Jacobs
Esther Wessels
Wilanie de Villiers
GISc Technician
Tel: 021 808 5081. Email: Liezl.Mackenzie@westerncape.gov.za
GISc Technician
Tel: 021 808 7608. Email: Ronelda.Jacobs@westerncape.gov.za
GIS Operator
Tel: 028 425 4815. E-mail: Esther.Wessels@westerncape.gov.za
GIS Operator
Tel: 021 808 7808. Email: Wilanie.deVilliers@westerncape.gov.za
