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2012

The 2012 South African Society for Animal Science Congress well supported by the Institute for Animal Production of the Department of Agriculture

The Annual Congress of the South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) was held recently in East London in the Eastern Cape, with the theme "Animal Science in a continuous state of change" .

The SASAS congress served as an opportunity for the exchange of scientific knowledge, for the establishment of new collaborative efforts and for the strengthening of existing networks. It can thus be considered as an important event in the annual planning of all animal scientists. Read the full story here.

From left to right: Dr Carel Muller, Institute for Animal Production (Elsenburg), Dr Jasper Cloete (Elsenburg Agricultural College), Dr Carina Visser (University of Pretoria), Dr Leslie Bergh (Agricultural Research Council) and Dr Japie van der Westhuysen (SA Studbook)

The organizing committee of the 2012 SASAS congress. From left to right: Prof Robin Meeske, Dr Tina Rust, Ms Dorothy Kingman, Dr Jean Rust, Ms Nandipha Ndundane-Tyumra, Prof Voster Muchenje and Mr Alan Grenfell

2012/08/28

First time pilot pet project manages health and population

For the first time ever, the Western Cape Government is making funds available for a pilot mass pet sterilisation and census campaign, initiated in and soon to be rolled out across the entire Western Cape. Download the press release here .

Mr Conrad Sidego (Mayor of ), Ms Helen Zille (Premier of the Western Cape Government), Mr Gerrit van Rensburg (Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development), Dennis Tshuma(Veterinary Services: Western Cape Department of Agriculture), and Kerry van der Walt (PETS) inoculating one of the community pets in Kayamandi. Photo taken by: Gizelle van Wyk

2012/07/09

New market: Export of fresh citrus fruit from the Republic of to Thailand

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) wishes to announce the establishment of a new market for the export of fresh citrus fruit from the Republic of South Africa to the Kingdom of Thailand with effect from 31 May 2012. Download the full press release here.

2012/06/11

Cape Winelands Premier's Advancement of Youth (PAY) Launch

The up-side of attracting young people to agriculture is that efforts from various parties have seen the light in attempting to lure young people to agriculture. One of these attempts are the current internship programme of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture which forms part of the Advancement of Youth project of the Premier, Helen Zille. Of the 800 youngsters who form part of the programme, 42 were placed at the Department to expose them to possible careers in agriculture. Gerrit van Rensburg, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Western Cape said: “We need more youngsters to be attracted to agriculture. We need talented and educated people to grow our economy.”

The Head of Department, Ms Joyene Isaacs, further encouraged the young ones by saying that they should understand that agriculture is not farming, but a sector with huge potential for creative, innovative and exciting people who are eager (keen) and determined to make a difference. It is not only about “hard and dirty work”, but also about innovation.”

The Agri-SETA even offered every one of the 42 interns a bursary if they have an interest in studying further in agriculture.

"Sechaba Nxele (PAY intern), Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Carian Arnolds (PAY intern)" Photo by Gizelle van Wyk

2012/05/29

INVITATION TO THE: Western Cape Agribusiness Forum - Lord Charles Conference Centre, Somerset West - 14 June 2012

Download the Registration form here Download the Programme here

Hex River Farm Worker of the Year 2012

"South African history will reflect on the important work farm workers have been doing in this country" Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said last night at the first regional round of the 2012 Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year Competition. Johannes Kees, a junior manager form Nonna Estate was announced as the Hex River winner from a total of 80 entrants. Download the full Media Release here .

"Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, left, and Johannes Kees, winner of the Hex River region in the Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year Competition, right. Photo by Wouter Kriel

2012/05/31

Khayelitsha food garden visit

"I love supporting winning projects", Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said during a working lunch with the Masiphile Peace Garden in Khayelitsha. Van Rensburg handed over a new nursery and seeds worth R18 000 to the project. Download the full Media Release here.

"Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development hands over a new nursery to Nobantu Gwabeni (left) of the Masiphile Peace Garden in Khayelitsha" Photo by Wouter Kriel

2012/04/23

Grassland Society of Southern Africa Congress 2012

47th Annual Congress, 16 to 20 July 2012, Club Mykonos, Langebaan, Western Cape Several special sessions, symposia and workshops are being organised in addition to the standard sessions. Further details will become available over the coming weeks BUT if you would like to submit an idea, please do so as soon as possible. Organisers of special sessions, symposia, workshops, etc. are encouraged to publish contributions in a special issue of the African Journal of Range and Forage Science. Remember that page charges for all papers published by members of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa will be ZERO!!

For more information on the GSSA Congress visit the following link: http://www.grassland.org.za/events/annual-congress/gssa-congress-2012

Budget Speech 2012

Click on the image to download Minister Gerrit van Rensburg's speech.

2012-03-27

Jacky Crowned Top Female Commercial Farmer in the Country

Ms Jacky Goliath and Mr Gerrit van Rensburg, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development at the DAFF Female Entrepreneur Awards Ceremony Photo taken by Gizelle van Wyk.

Jacky Goliath from Simondium in the Western Cape, scooped the coveted National Female Entrepreneur of the Year award in the category, Commercial, at a gala event held on Friday night at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

Goliath was awarded for the excellent way in which she runs the De Fynne Nursery, which focuses on the growing and selling of mostly indigenous plants. She started in 2001 with 1 000 plants and has since expanded the business to a total production of 600 000 plants.

"I'm so proud that such a small business like mine can win such a prestigeous award and it just shows that hard work and perseverance do pay off." said Jacky at the awards ceremony. Her advice to all female entrepreneurs is to turn passion into a profit-driven business and to persevere, especially when times are difficult.

This was the 12th annual DAFF Female Entrepreneur awards, which seeks to acknowledge and encourage excellence of women, the youth and those with disabilities in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries' sectors.

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gerrit van Rensburg, congratulated Jacky, and said she is an example of what can be done through hard work and commitment. "Jackie built this business without any state support. We would love to assist her in the future if there is an opportunity to do so", Van Rensburg said.

Van Rensburg said economic growth is the driver behind development, and businesses such as Jacky's are creating employment and opportunities for other people.

2012-03-26

Top Western Cape Female Entrepreneurs in Agriculture crowned The top Female Entrepreneurs in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the Western Cape were recently crowned at an awards ceremony hosted by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. This was the 12th annual awards, which seeks to acknowledge, encourage and increase participation of women in these sectors.

The competition rewards the efforts and contribution of women in matters such as food security, job creation, economic growth and poverty alleviation. Over the years, it became an empowerment platform that recognised the entrepreneurial skills of women.

Mr Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development thanked all the entrants for caring for their businesses. "Thank you for demonstrating your capacity to nurture. We urgently need more people like you to care for South Africa in order to build a better future for all our people."

"As winners, your task is now to take another woman by the hand, to mentor her and to empower her to reach the same level of competency that you have." was the strong message that Ms Joyene Isaacs, Head of Department (Western Cape Department of Agriculture) left with the entrants.

Although the competition commences at provincial level it culminates to a national competition held by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, where all the provincial winners compete in the different categories. An overall winner is also chosen at national level. This year the national competition will be hosted by the Northern Cape on the 23rd of March 2012 and all winners will travel to Kimberley to contend for the coveted awards.

The winners in the various categories were:

Best Female Worker : Elize Meyer - Ceres; Top Entrepreneur Subsistence : Masiphile Peace Project - Khayelitsha; Top Entrepreneur Smallholder : Allie Gordon – Leeu-Gamka; Top Entrepreneur Processor : Doreen van Riel - Caledon; Top Entrepreneur Commercial : Jacky Goliath - Simondium; Top Entrepreneur Exporter : Adri Claassen - Hermanus 2012-03-05

fltr: Nobantu Gwabeni (Masiphile Peace Project), Allie Gordon, Minister Gerrit van Rensburg (Agriculture and Rural Development), Doreen van Riel, Ms Joyene Isaacs (Head of Department, Western Cape Agriculture), Jacky Goliath and Adri Claassen. Photo taken by Gizelle van Wyk.

Launch of Agricultural Trilingual Dictionary The Western Cape Department of Agriculture today launched the 2nd edition of the Trilingual Dictionary. Hardcopies are available on request. E-mail us at [email protected] or click on the image to download a copy. 2012-02-14