September 2017 DAFF Official newsletter of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Conference focus on ways of addressing structural bottlenecks that hinder transformation

Dr Vuyo Mahlati, AFASA President, Ms Bongiwe Njobe, a private consultant and former DG of DAFF (1997 - 2004), his Excellency, President and Mr Senzeni Zokwana, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Ms Njobe was awarded for her sterling work in agriculture and agribusiness development. Article on p2 Departmental AFASA Agribusiness Transformation Conference

By Innocent Mhlanga

The African Farmers Association industry needed to interrogate what of (AFASA) hosted had been successful practices and a ground-breaking Agribusiness those which had not been, as the main Transformation Conference from 31 focus was to have a collaborative ap- July to 1 August 2017 at the Birch- proach on transformation in order to wood Hotel, Boksburg. Given the create a viable and inclusive commer- heightened public interest around cial farming sector and agribusiness. the need to accelerate economic “South African smallholder farmers transformation, AFASA hosted the are not happy with the slow pace of conference with the aim of involv- land reform and farmer support, which ing public and private stakeholders are both critical for transformation in in having an honest review of trans- the sector; therefore, AFASA under- formation in the sector and most stands that the huge responsibility is importantly, to focus on ways of ad- to facilitate such a complex process. dressing structural bottlenecks that This is why AFASA has collaborated hindered transformation. with institutions such as the National “AFASA has always advocated for Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) Dr Theo de Jager, Chairperson of transformation in all commodities and and the Agricultural Research Council SACAU and President of the World their value chains to allow black farm- (ARC) to establish a knowledge centre Farmers Organisation. ers and agribusinesses to participate to support farmers with infor- meaningfully, but it can not only push mation and act as a bridge for a commercial commodity approach between the diverse means without addressing the land and water of support,” she concluded. issue, as the two are intertwined. In the As a way of celebrating Western Cape Province for example, Women’s Month, President around 1% of land under commercial Jacob Zuma presented fruit production is in black hands, while three female agribusiness in the sugar industry it is only 20%,” leaders who are pioneers in according to the AFASA President, Dr their industries with the Afri- Vuyo Mahlatsi. can Farmers Association of Mahlatsi emphasised that the con- South Africa’s Presidential ference was a platform to bring into Agribusiness Awards. The focus the attempts at transformation three awardees were recog- by both public and private institutions nised for their outstanding Ms , Minister of the and to critically reflect on investment contribution in the sector. Department of Water and Sanitation during strategies to advance an inclusive and the round table discussions at the AFASA competitive agri-industry. She said the to p3 Agribusiness Transformation Conference in Boksburg.

DAFFnews is the newsletter of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry Editor Piwe Mbiko (012) 319 6936 [email protected] Subeditor Lerato Mofokeng (012) 319 7927 [email protected] and Fisheries. Private Bag X250, PRETORIA 0001. Reporters Samuel Kgatla (012) 319 7181 [email protected] It is published by the Directorate Communication Services, Private Innocent Mhlanga (012) 319 7827 [email protected] Bag X144, PRETORIA 0001. Rony Moremi (012) 319 6622 [email protected] Jamela Nkanyane (012) 319 6903 [email protected] Mercia Smith (012) 319 6666 [email protected] Opinions expressed in DAFFnews are not necessarily those of the Photographer Jarius Mmutle (012) 319 7366 [email protected] editorial team. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced or trans- Interns Linda Mabaso (012) 319 7819 [email protected] Ziphora Radebe (012) 319 6958 [email protected] mitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording Distribution Sheila Flockton (012) 319 7141 [email protected] or any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission Website: www.daff.gov.za from the editor.

2 September 2017 DAFFnews No. 9 Departmental

Mr Senzeni Zokwana, DAFF Minis- ter with Dr Vuyo Mahlati, President of the African Farmers Association of South Africa.

from p 2 2014 Black Rock Syrah and the alisation and establishment of the Tiger 2016 Oudstad Sauvignon Blanc, both Brands Foundation’s School Breakfast Centane/Mbashe Agricultural Initia- named after the two oldest sections Feeding Programme. tive in Atteridgeville and Saulsville, Phe- It was fitting to kickstart the month Established in 2012/13 with assist- lindaba. These wines were produced of August, dedicated to celebrating ance from Wiphold, Centane/Mbashe under the mentorship of Stellenbosch women, by awarding those who had is a black women-owned investment Vineyards, with Ms Moyahabo as the done well in spite of the challenges company which focuses on acquiring winemaker of the project. The 2016 they faced as emerging black agribusi- and building strategic investments in Oudstad Sauvignon Blanc won a ness owners especially during a time the mining and agricultural sectors. The bronze medal in an international wine when black agribusiness faces a lot of initiative also specialises in the devel- competition known as VINORO in Ma- challenges such as access to markets, opment of commercial models for the drid, Spain in May 2017. finances and lack of relevant skills. It is profitable and sustainable farming of for this reason that AFASA AGRIBUSI- communally owned land. The project’s Bongiwe Nomandi Njobe NESS saw the importance of hosting a commercial model is designed to have With over 30 years experience in transformation conference. a high social impact, with particular em- the agricultural sector, Bongiwe was phasis on income generation and food awarded for her sterling work in agri- security for participating communities. culture and agribusiness development. Whilst in its early stages, the initiative She initiated and led the broadening is already having a noticeable socio- access to the BATAT agriculture trust economic impact. After three seasons which focused on addressing opportu- over R18 million has been distributed nities for transformation of the agricul- to community shareholders by way of tural sector between 1994 and 1995. free land use and dividend distribution. After her term in government, Ms Njobe continued to contribute to South Pheli Wines Pty Ltd. African agriculture between 2004 and 100% black female-owned wine 2013 serving as a Corporate Affairs producing company established in Director at SABMiller subsidiary South the Pretoria West township of Atterid- African Breweries where she was re- geville, the company does not have a sponsible for developing the Black farm, but was established as a venture Farmer Supplier’s Development Pro- in line with Wines of South Africa’s gramme as well as contributing to the (WOSA) mandate of promoting the Corporate Sustainability Strategy. value growth of the South African wine She also worked at the Group of industry locally and abroad. Langerberg and Ashton Foods where Mr Senzeni Zokwana, DAFF Minis- Pheli Wines produces two wines, she was responsible for the conceptu- ter.

No. 9 DAFFnews September 2017 3 Departmental Young farmers hail provincial youth programme at DAFF Youth Expo By Ziphora Radebe Under the theme “Harnessing in- vestment for youth empowerment towards South Africa’s economic development and future prosperity,” the Department of Agriculture, For- estry and Fisheries hosted a youth career expo in Barberton, Mpuma- langa on 15 June to commemorate the June 1976 youth uprising. The event kicked off with Deputy Min- ister and his guests visiting the Siyachuba and Siyasebenza Coop- eratives in the Barberton Environmen- tal Centre, which is located 4 km from the town of Barberton. The Siyachuba and Siyasebenza projects are run by three young farm- ers who are beneficiaries of the For- tune 40 programme, under their men- tor Tony Nyathi, who was appointed by General Bheki Cele, Deputy Minister of DAFF with Mr V Shongwe, MEC the department. Twenty youth-owned for Mpumalanga Department: Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and SMMEs and cooperatives were re- Environmental Affairs. cruited into the incubator programme which operates under a strategic part- ple from stealing; three boreholes were ernment by standing up for themselves nership with the private sector to men- also drilled and tested. and starting small. “The government tor future commercial farmers. Up to Speaking at Barberton Stadium gave me land and assisted me when- date, the beneficiaries have obtained where the main event took place, ever I needed them to; however, in training workshops on crop production, Bheki Cele said the department had everything I invested effort and showed financial management and farm man- three mandates of ensuring food secu- passion. Today I am able to sell and agement. The young farmers in the rity and nutrition, creating employment feed my family, including the communi- Fortune 40 programme hailed the pro- and contributing to the country’s GDP ty. It all starts with you picking yourself gramme and said it had paved a better and the economy, as farming created up as a young person, the government living for them. One of the beneficiaries, wealth by producing something that can’t do everything for you while you do Thandeka Mavuso said, “This is our was not yet there. All departmental pro- absolutely nothing.” second production; we have already grammes were done in order to fulfil The Deputy Minister made a request sold our first production. The govern- those mandates. to young people to venture into agricul- ment gave us land and we saw our way He said, 14,3 million people in South ture with an understanding of what their through. Thank you to the department Africa go to bed hungry as markets op- mission was and not solely to make for providing us with equipment.” erate in such a way that food can only money. The project mainly produces vegeta- be afforded and purchased by people “We must avoid reaching a state bles such as spinach, tomatoes, car- who have money—if you don’t have where the world has hungry parents, rots, green pepper and butternut. The money you will go to bed hungry.” hungry children and a hungry grand- provincial department assisted with the Phethiwe Sithole owns her own farm child. Be a youth with a changing pro- project’s infrastructure, delivered a four and she was one of the young guest gramme. Yes, you can make money row planter F40 tractor and constructed speakers at the event. She said she through farming but over and above a pack house and a poultry house. Fur- had discovered gold in farming and en- people must sleep feeling better than thermore, a 20 ha perimeter fence was couraged young people to consider it yesterday. Young people should con- constructed to prevent wild animals as a career. Her plea was that young tribute in fulfilling the mandate to feed from trampling on the crops and peo- people must make use of the opportu- South Africans,” he said. nities created and provided by the gov-

4 September 2017 DAFFnews No. 9 Departmental

First black owned strawberry farm in KZN

By Rony Moremi

The Deputy Minister of Agricul- you don’t battle to sell it.” had to pay royalties in order to use ture, Forestry and Fisheries, Gen- In support of her husband and busi- them. The farm has seven varieties eral Bheki Cele visited KwaZulu- ness partner, Yoliswa Gumede added of strawberry plants. He said there Natal’s first 100% black owned that they would like to replicate the were only two commercial nurseries strawberry farm in Ballito. model because it was important to in the country that sold strawberry Cappeny Estates Strawberry Farm, harvest in packs, so that when they plants; to which the Deputy Minis- which was started in 2013, is owned went out to market, they wouldn’t ter commented that there had to be by Mxolisi Gumede and his wife, Yoli- just find strawberries from Cappeny thorough research into developing sa. The 7 ha farm produces straw- Farm Estates but strawberries from varieties of strawberries in the coun- berries on an open hydroponic sys- South Africa, made up of a cluster try. The General officially opened the tem using catchment harvested from consisting of many farms. production site of the farm which em- rainwater. Mr Gumede gave the Deputy Min- ploys 50 permanent workers and 60 The Deputy Minister commended ister a site visit of the farm and in- seasonal workers. They also produce the couple for their innovation in ven- formed him that there were 800 va- their own strawberry jam and cereal, turing into a different market. He said rieties of strawberries; all of which while also supplying major retailers the farm represented everything the were developed outside the coun- such as Spar, Pick n Pay and Check- department stood for; food security try, meaning that growers like him ers as well as the hospitality industry. and nutrition, job creation and contri- bution to the GDP and emphasised the importance of having young peo- ple in agriculture. He also said that he was impressed by young African people who were involved in farming. “It is important to innovate, not to compete but to lead”, said Mr Gumede, adding that they would like to replicate similar farm models. He said that as a pioneer one often came across challenges and they would like to assist those who were interested in strawberry farming to avoid such challenges. However, he cautioned that a lot of research was needed before one ventured into strawberry farming. “Production challenges are very severe but the rewards are good General Cele with Mr Mxolisis Gumede, owner of Cappeny farm on the because when you have the product, right and Mr Noah Nyawo, President of YARD on the left.

No. 9 DAFFnews September 2017 5 Departmental South Africa’s Marine Act No:

This Act that is meant to provide for • to fishing activities carried out by doland, Tsitsikamma, Goukamma and the conservation of the marine eco- means of local fishing vessels or De Hoop areas along the Indian Ocean system, the long-term sustainable South African aircraft in, on, or in east of the country and it is mentioned utilisation of marine living resourc- the airspace above waters outside in this Act that no person shall in any es and the orderly access to exploi- South African waters, including marine protected area, without permis- tation, utilisation and protection of waters under the particular juris- sion: certain marine living resources; and diction of another state • fish or attempt to fish for these purposes to provide for the • to the Prince Edward Islands re- • take or destroy any fauna and flora exercise of control over marine liv- ferred to in section 1 of the Prince other than fish ing resources in a fair and equitable Edward Islands Act, 1948 (Act No. • dredge, extract sand or gravel, manner to the benefit of all the citi- 43 of 1948), and any reference in discharge or deposit waste or any zens of South Africa; and to provide this Act to the Republic shall in- other polluting matter, or in any for matters connected therewith. clude a reference to those Islands. way disturb, alter or destroy the Unless the context indicates other- This Act, including any applicable natural environment wise, this Act shall apply: regulation, shall have extraterritorial • construct or erect any building or • to all persons, whether or not application and shall not apply in re- other structure on or over any land South African persons and to all spect of fish found in water which does or water within such a marine pro- fishing vessels and aircraft, includ- not at any time form part of the sea. tected area ing foreign fishing vessels and The only refuge for many of the fish • carry on any activity which may aircraft, on, in or in the airspace species are Marine Protected Areas adversely impact on the ecosys- above South African waters (MPAs) such as the iSimingaliso, Pon- tems of that area.

6 September 2017 DAFFnews No. 9 Departmental Living Resources 18 of 1998

There are also species restrictions in lowing fishing or related activities: total allowable catch, the total terms of size and mass limits such as: • transport any abalone that is not applied effort, or a combination (1) no person, while engaged in fishing in the whole state, except on the thereof hake by means of a longline shall: authority of a permit; • the Minister shall determine the • on any one day collect, keep, con- • remove abalone other than with portions of the total allowable trol or be in possession of any by- the use of a flat implement of which catch, the total applied effort, or catch in excess of more than 20% the front edge is not less than 25 a combination thereof, to be allo- nominal mass of his or her hake mm wide and not more than 35 cated in any year to subsistence, catch mm wide and that has been so recreational, local commercial and • land any by-catch in excess of rounded as not to cut or damage foreign fishing, respectively. more than 20% nominal mass of the foot of an abalone. In the execution of his or her pow- his or her hake catch • No person shall engage in fish- ers in terms of this section, the Minister • on any one day collect, keep, ing, keeping or controlling of, or may determine that the total allowable control or be in possession of be in possession of, any abalone catch, or the total applied effort, or a any kingklip by-catch in excess of of which the shell is able to pass combination thereof; shall apply in a more than 10% nominal mass of through a ring with an inside diam- particular area, or in respect of particu- his or her hake catch eter of 114 mm lar species or a group of species of fish • land any kingklip by-catch in ex- Management of marine living re- and in respect of the use of particular cess of more than 10% nominal sources which determines the allow- gear, fishing methods or types of fish- mass of his or her hake catch able catches and applied effort says: ing vessels. (2) No person shall during and fol- • the Minister shall determine the

No. 9 DAFFnews September 2017 7 Departmental Zero human deaths from rabies by 2030

By Rony Moremi

The Global Conference on Ra- ally 100% fatal for both animals and bies Elimination in 2015 agreed humans (OIE). on a common goal of zero human Symptoms normally only last three deaths from canine rabies by 2030. to five days before death occurs and In support of this goal, the 2017 can include: World Rabies Day theme is Rabies: • salivation, Zero by 30. • strange vocalisations, incoordina- World Rabies Day is observed eve- tion, ry year on 28 September. It is a global • paralysis day for action and awareness for ra- • aggression especially when ap- bies prevention. It is also an opportu- proached. nity to unite as a community and for Many other symptoms can be ob- individuals, NGOs and governments served and so people should avoid to cooperate in the fight against ra- touching or interacting with any un- bies. known animal, or any animal behav- Rabies is a disease that kills more ing strangely. clinic immediately for treatment. than 60 000 people a year, mostly According to the OIE, more than Rabies can easily be controlled and children, in developing countries. It 80% of the deaths caused by rabies eventually eliminated altogether in affects the central nervous system of occur in rural areas and it is regarded South Africa, if all dog owners abide mammals, including humans and is as the deadliest zoonotic disease (a by the law, Animal Diseases Act, 1984 usually transmitted via the saliva when disease that is spread from animals to (Act no. 35 of 1984) and regularly vac- an infected animal bites another ani- people) in the world. cinate their dogs against rabies. mal or human during the final stages As rabies occurs in domestic and DAFF therefore appeals to every of the disease. According to the World wild animals across South Africa, dog owner in the country to ensure Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), DAFF encourages communities not to that their dogs are vaccinated against 95% of these deaths are caused by touch or pick up unknown or stray ani- rabies. dog bites from infected dogs. mals, especially dogs. However, if a For further information contact the The incubation period can vary from person is bitten by a dog, they should nearest Animal Health Technician, days to several months. Once symp- wash the wound well with soap under Private Veterinarian or State Veteri- toms are present, the disease is virtu- running water and go to their nearest narian.

virus stays close to the expo- sure site. The virus then travels Rabies facts via peripheral nerves to the brain and from there, again via peripheral nerves, to nearly all Rabies is a viral illness spread via Rabies is caused by the rabies parts of the body. the saliva of an infected animal. virus. The virus infects the brain Any mammal can spread rabies. This occurs usually through bit- and ultimately leads to death. After In the developing world, stray ing a human or another animal. being bitten by a rabid animal, the dogs are the most likely animal Transmission can also occur virus is deposited in the muscle to transmit rabies. The virus has through saliva touching an open and subcutaneous tissue. For most also been found in cows, cats, wound or touching mucous mem- of the incubation period (which is ferrets, and horses. branes. usually one to three months), the

8 September 2017 DAFFnews No. 9 DepartmentalSector Student’s symposium to explore global perception on forestry

By Jamela Nkanyane

Students in the agriculture and symposium on behalf of the Deputy forestry study fields gathered at Minister of the Department of Agricul- the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan ture, Forestry and Fisheries General University (NMMU), George cam- Bheki Cele, Ms Morongoa Leseke pus for the 45th International For- who was Acting Deputy Director- estry Students Symposium (IFSS) General for Forestry and Natural in July. The two-week long sympo- Resources Management at the time, sium was an opportunity for South highlighted the need to move away Africa to showcase its forestry from producing workers to produc- culture and explore global per- ing drivers of the economy to ensure spectives on various aspects of transformation. sustainable forest management. She further said that young people The symposium was held under had to take over the leadership roles the theme, “Practicing forestry in in the sector on a global scale. a diverse environment: Siyaphi? The Executive Mayor of George Where to from here?” Hosted under Melvin Naik, emphasised to the stu- the auspices of the International For- dents that as leaders within the for- estry Students’ Association (IFSA), estry sphere, they were called upon these symposiums aim to further in- not only to connect globally but to be ternational forest education while de- responsive, flexible, adaptive, foster veloping forestry professionals that innovative thinking and actions in en- are cognisant of the fact that forest suring a thriving world. ecosystems thrive beyond political The Chairperson of the IFSA, Jesse boundaries. Mahoney, who was in South Africa The IFSS has been organised for the first time said that through since 1973; each year in a different the association students,learned that country. It has been hosted in coun- humans could not exist in isolation tries such as Austria, the Philippines but relied on complex and disorderly and Canada. Participants of the sym- ecosystems. posium are forestry students from all He further added that they learnt over the world who get the opportu- that immense challenges existed in nity to experience forestry as defined equality, evaluation of their forests by the particular host country. and other natural ecosystems and About 121 students from up to 30 equity and that together they could countries across the globe partici- make a difference by working to- pated in this year’s symposium con- wards sustainability for future gen- sisting of workshops, seminars, dia- erations. logues and educational excursions. The symposium is often organised The Deputy Chairperson of IFSS by one tertiary institution in the host 2017, Kopano Khwene who is also a country. However, this year it was or- Master’s student at the NMMU said ganised through a collaborative effort that the students had come from of South African tertiary institutions many countries to share in the expe- which are the NMMU, Stellenbosch rience of South African forestry and University, Fort Cox Agriculture and its diversity. Forestry Institute, the University of Speaking at the opening of the Venda and the University of Pretoria.

No. 9 DAFFnews September 2017 9 Sector Illegal hunting with dogs

South African farmers are not only concerned about worsening weath- er patterns, land issues and farm murders, but also have to deal with growing criminal activities on their farms like illegal hunting with dogs. These hunting actions have become more organised and sophisticated over the last decade, adding to the Photo: Huntingdiscuss tension between farmers, communi- ties and even conservation authorities. A hunting dog refers to a canine that hunts with or for humans. Several farmers have had hair-raising experiences with these trespassers, mostly well-informed about their rights and the South African Police Service police and keep record of cases. and legal issues and using it to their (SAPS). Agri SA’s Rural Safety Com- Extreme caution and consideration full benefit. mittee recently spent considerable of actions must be exercised when There could be no doubt about the time discussing the problem and look- dealing with the issue pertaining to extent of the problem when you read ing for answers. Illegal hunting with the illegal hunting with dogs. In cases through newspaper reports, magazine dogs is a growing problem, but land where land owners find dogs on their articles and related research. Unfortu- owners must be extremely careful land destroying property, the police nately, many cases of illegal hunting about actions that could make them should immediately be notified. It is with dogs are never solved, while an- liable for prosecution. highly recommended that farmers gry farmers often get in trouble trying Although the illegal hunting with contact their safety network for some to deal with the culprits. This forces dogs is regarded a serious offence, farmers/neighbours to assist them farming organisations to become more land owners should be cautious of the especially when several offenders involved by communicating the cor- correct procedures and the preserv- are involved in the commission of il- rect actions and procedures as well as ing of as much evidence against the legal hunting with dogs on their land. working towards closer relations with culprits as possible and rather get the Agri SA has developed guidelines for the police and other authorities. local farm watch involved from the farmers to use to guide them on how Agri SA has stressed continuously beginning. There is just too much at to deal with the problem and will be that hunting with dogs on farms is a stake to act impulsively. There are suf- made available to affiliates soon. crime and that the involved trespass- ficient laws to deal with the problem ers are ignoring access and other pro- and farmers should report all cases of By Kobus Visser, Director: Corpo- tocol signed by several organisations illegal hunting with dogs to the local rate Liaison, AgriSA.

Veld Management Course

Africa Land-Use Training is pre- veld/grazing management. When: 16 - 20 October 2017 senting a 5-day accredited train- All people directly or indirectly Where: EEC, Pretoria Botanical ing course on Veld Management. involved in land management will Gardens This 5-day accredited course aims benefit from this course. It is an Cost: R4 950.00 to train the learner on the prin- NQF level 4 course and learners Presenter: Frits van Oudtshoorn ciples and practices needed for receive credit bearing certificates For further information: good sustainable and profitable under the jurisdiction of AgriSeta. Email: [email protected] Tel: 071 866 1331

10 September 2017 DAFFnews No. 9 Sector DAFF benefits from “Train-the-Trainer” international course

By Linda Mabaso

Recently, the Directorate: Food from developing countries is likely to participating from NMISA, DAFF and Safety and Quality Assurance of be high. This is a disadvantage for de- the Perishable Products Export Con- the Department of Agriculture, For- veloping countries in terms of interna- trol Board (PPCEB). estry and Fisheries (DAFF) in col- tional trade in food products. NMISA provided theoretical training laboration with the International “The lack of sufficient scientific data on basic maintenance and trouble- Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and in some instances makes it challeng- shooting laboratory instruments for the National Meteorology Institute ing for developing countries to justify chromatographic and spectroscopic of South Africa (NMISA) hosted an the use of some agrochemicals or the techniques. Six companies (Shimad- international “Train-the-trainer” different dosage as compared to de- zu, Perkin Elmer, Chemetrix, Micro- course aimed at giving basic main- veloped countries. Developed coun- sep, LECO Africa and Peak Scientific) tenance and troubleshooting of tries, which are mostly well resourced supported the training workshop by analytical instruments used in food in terms of financial capital, technol- making their training facilities and lab- and environmental safety monitor- ogy and expertise easily conducts rig- oratory instruments available for the ing and control programmes. orous researches to gather scientific practical training sessions. As part of The event is one of the activities of data and therefore puts them in an ad- the same project, the IAEA INT/5/154, the IAEA’s Interregional Technical Co- vantageous position in terms of con- another scientist from DAFF, Nyiko operation Project known as INT/5/154, tributing to setting of food standards Shiviti whose job is being tasked with where South Africa is one of the 32 de- and limits by international standard pesticide residue analysis, had the veloping countries from the continents setting bodies.” privilege of travelling to Singapore as of Africa, Asia and South America who The IAEA INT/5/154 aims to create a representative of the department for participate and are also beneficiaries a platform for developing and devel- a five-day programme that looked at of the project. The INT/5/154 project oped countries to network and share three diagnostic techniques as far as was started in April 2016 and will be expertise and strategies towards food pesticide residue is concerned. running for four years. The project testing for regulatory purposes while “The programme was looking at dif- aims to capacitate developing coun- empowering developing countries to ferent setups of different countries in tries in the area of food safety testing collect reliable scientific data to con- terms of pesticide residue in the area and monitoring with the view to influ- tribute to and influence international of compliance as well as monitoring of ence international standard setting standard setting bodies. vegetables and fruits. However, the es- bodies. The Train-the-Trainer Workshop, sence of it all was to teach countries Ephraim Moruke, laboratory man- hosted by South Africa through DAFF while looking at the available methods ager, explained that the common provided theoretical and practical train- used by each country. We explored challenges faced by regulatory labo- ing to a total of 19 international scien- the Asian reference laboratory through ratories in developing countries vary tists and 10 local scientists. Nineteen a specialist from Europe who works from capital, technology and exper- international delegates from Angola, in a reference laboratory for the Euro tise, which tend to obscure their ef- Botswana, Costa Rica, Chile, Cuba, zone.” fectiveness in testing for unwanted Bolivia, Honduras, Indonesia, Sri Throughout the four years of the chemicals in food products and their Lanka, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozam- projects, different activities have been lower levels of concentration. In turn, bique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Uganda and outlined in assisting the developing the risk of noncompliance to stringent Venezuela attended the event, while countries to have an influence on inter- food safety limits for export products locally, there were eighteen scientists national standard setting bodies.

No. 9 DAFFnews September 2017 11 Sector Deciduous fruit industry signs Bee and Pollinator Charter

Deciduous fruit grower bodies fall- ing under the HORTGRO umbrella signed a Bee and Pollination Char- ter at the HORTGRO Science Tech- nical Symposium 2017, the charter seeks to address the plight of bees in South Africa. The initiative comes amid a global “It’s strategically important that they prevent producers from spraying pes- concern about honey bee populations are protected and the Charter forms a ticides while bees are active and that which have seen drastic declines and framework around which we can en- chemical representatives will provide fears that the species might face ex- sure that we can have a sustainable products with clear instructions to pro- tinction. bee population in the South African ducers. The scale of the problem is mas- context,” he said. “This is a big breakthrough for the bee sive as between 50% and 80% of the The Charter was signed by repre- farmers … that the producers agree to world’s food supply – fruit, vegetables, sentatives of the South African Ap- honour the principles of the Charter and seeds – is directly or indirectly depend- ple and Pear Producers Association undertake to stick to it,” he said. ent on honey bee pollination. (SAAPPA) and the South African The HORTGRO Science Technical According to HORTGRO Science Stonefruit Producers Association Symposium is an annual event which General Manager, Hugh Campbell, (SASPA). brings together industry players and bees are a key part of the industry sup- The Western Cape Bee Industry As- provides exposure to the latest interna- ply chain and without bees production sociation representative, Nelson De tional and local deciduous fruit industry capacity would be diminished. La Querra said that the agreement will research.

Hello Kiwi set to change trade relations between SA and Greece

Currently, South Africa exports these connections and make headway fresh fruit to Greece while Greece to bring kiwi fruit into SA. only exports processed fruit and According to Panagiotis Dermet- vegetables to South Africa, but the zoglou from the offices of Economic European Union’s ‘Hello Kiwi’ pro- and Commercial Affairs at the Greek gramme is set to change the situa- embassy in Pretoria, “The fruit growing tion. seasons in the two countries comple- The initial contacts were made last ment each other and create mutual year over the Hostex period at a con- benefits for them. He emphasised that ference at the Gallagher Convention Greece is implementing a roadmap for Centre where the buyers from major stabilising the national economy for creased trade is, of course, an impor- supermarkets of fresh fruit and veg- sustainable growth, which makes it an tant element of this,” he said. etables supported the event and made ideal trading partner.” “Kiwi fruit provides high levels of fi- valuable connections meeting the “In a world where we all face a wide bre, anti-oxidants, and phytonutrients. Greek kiwi producers. range of challenges, we definitely They are extremely high in vitamin C The conference will be held again need to improve the overall conditions - which is a powerful anti-oxidant,” said this year in order to further develop for our two countries to engage and in- Clinical Nutritionist Nicci Robertson.

12 September 2017 DAFFnews No. 9