Purpose

The main focus of the programme is to provide strategic leadership and management of governance issues enabling the Department to execute its mandate within the framework set by government and to ensure accountability.

Programme 1 consists of five sub-programmes:

  • Office of MEC
  • Senior Management
  • Corporate Services
  • Financial Management
  • Communication Services
Purpose

The main focus of this programme is to provide agricultural support services to farmers in order to ensure sustainable development and management of agricultural resources.

The programme provides support in the form of agricultural infrastructure development services that ranges from planning and designing to physical construction of structures to enhance sustainable natural resource management.

The programme plays a key role in promoting the expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in the rehabilitation of degraded land.

Programme 2 consists of four sub-programmes:

  • Engineering Services
  • Land Care
  • Land Use Management
  • Agricultural Disaster and Risk Management
Purpose

The main focus of this programme is to render district level services in support of agrarian reform and rural development; this includes providing technical and infrastructure support to land reform beneficiaries including subsistence food producers, smallholder farmers and commercial farmers.

The programme seeks to promote job creation, income generation and household food security through the implementation of commodity based projects funded through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) the Masibuyele Emasimini and Masibuyele Esibayeni Programme.

Programme 3 consists of three sub-programmes:

  • Farmer Settlement
  • Extension and Advisory Services
  • Food Security (Masibuyele Emasimini / Esibayeni)
Purpose

The main focus of this programme is to promotes animal health, welfare, production and the health and welfare of both humans and animals through veterinary public health programmes.

It also provides support to the Masibuyele Esibayeni (MESP) programme in terms of advice and animal health services.

Programme 4 consists of three sub-programmes:

  • Animal Health
  • Veterinary Public Health
  • Veterinary Laboratory Services
Purpose

The main focus of this programme is to deals with agricultural research and the development and transfer of appropriate agricultural technologies.

The programme conducts adaptive research to improve agricultural productivity.

It is responsible for establishment and strengthening of partnerships in agriculture research.

The key services of the programme include research in crop and animal production as well as range and forage research.

Programme 5 consists of two sub-programmes:

  • Research Services
  • Infrastructure Support Services
Purpose

The main focus of this programme is to provide timely and relevant support to internal and external clients with regard to agricultural marketing, agricultural statistical information, and agricultural feasibility and viability studies in order to ensure sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Programme 6 consists of two sub-programmes:

  • Agricultural Business Development and Support
  • Macro-economics and statistics
Purpose

The main focus of this programme is providing agricultural training at the Higher Education and Training and Further Education and Training levels. Training offered at the Lowveld College of Agriculture, in both Nelspruit and Marapyane Campuses is focused on Higher Education and Training (HET) programmes for students whilst Further Education and Training (FET) programmes are conducted throughout the province for farmers on commodity basis.

Key services currently provided include certificates and diploma courses on farm training and skills transfers as well accredited further education and training courses. The program anticipates expanding its Academic offering to include Animal Husbandry and Forestry, as well as a B. Agric. program at NQF level 7, by 2012. This expansion will necessitate the establishment of additional infrastructure such as well-equipped training centres, laboratories, accommodation facilities, administration blocks as well as employment of qualified staff.

The Lowveld Agricultural College has opened a satellite college in Marapyane with an additional intake of students and programmes.

Programme 7 consists of two sub-programmes:

  • Tertiary Education and Training
  • Further Education and Training
Purpose

The main focus of this programme is creating vibrant, equitable rural communities with food security for all through the sustainable rural economic livelihoods.

The programme will mainly focus on the three legs of the comprehensive Rural Development strategy which are Agrarian transformation, land reform, and rural development.

Programme 8 consists of three sub-programmes:

  • Comprehensive Rural Development Programme
  • Land and Agrarian Reform
  • War On Poverty and Community Mobilisation
Purpose

The purpose of the programme is to promote a well-managed, sustainable environment.

Through environmental planning and co-ordination, greener governance, environmental awareness and capacity building, integrated pollution and waste management, enforcing compliance to environmental legislation and promoting biodiversity management.

Programme 9 consists of the following sub-programmes:

  • Environmental Policy, Planning and Coordination
  • Environmental Compliance and Enforcement
  • Environmental Quality Management
  • Environmental Empowerment Services