Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Policy Proposal
Explore the draft policy regarding the balance between mining and agriculture, focusing on the crucial aspects of agricultural land preservation and development in South Africa. The document delves into food security challenges, declining high-value agricultural land availability, and proposed policy frameworks for sustainable land use.
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Presentation Transcript
Draft Policy on the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Equitable Trade-offs Between Mining and Agriculture 09 April 2013 Hein Lindemann Scientific Manager: Natural Resources Directorate: Land Use and Soil Management
TABLE OF CONTENTS Food security The production challenge Draft Framework Policy on the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Background Major Policy Proposals Criteria for Trade-offs Conclusion 2
FOOD SECURITY The production challenge Global By 2030 +120 million ha for crop production By 2050 1 billion tons of cereal 200 million tons of livestock products South Africa 2012 Total = 122 mil ha High Value: 13.7 million ha Class IV: 15 million ha 23 % year on year increase in agricultural imports More dependant on food imports with less financial resources to pay therefore 3
THE PRODUCTION CHALLENGE Continues decline in the area of High Value Agricultural Land available for food production 0.4 FAO Recommended 0.35 0.3 0.25 ha/capita 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 1996 2000 2005 2010 4
THE PRODUCTION CHALLENGE Class II Land: Mpumalanga Available = 872,007 ha Permanently transformed = 18,378 ha Mining & prospecting applications = 751,326 ha Class III Land: Mpumalanga Available = 2,058,727 Permanently transformed = 34,868 ha Mining & prospecting applications = 1,404,224 ha Cumulative Impact May result in a 15% reduction of the available high value agricultural land in South Africa. 5
THE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL LAND - DRAFT FRAMEWORK POLICY Background Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act, 70 of 1970 Constitution, not everywhere applicable & outdated Research Papers - Agricultural Research Council Constitutional & legal frameworks Trends in the use of agricultural land International best practices Consultation with key-stakeholders Reference group with representatives from PDA s Consultative Workshops with six Key-stakeholder groups One combined workshop 6
THE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL LAND - DRAFT FRAMEWORK POLICY Major Policy Proposals Custodians & Concurrent Function High Value Agricultural Land National Function Medium Value Agricultural Land Provincial Function Protected Agricultural Areas High Value Agricultural Land Agricultural Land Register Potential, State & Use of Agricultural Land On-line Application, Tracking System & Reporting System Agricultural Impact Assessments Impacts of proposed changes on agro-ecosystem 7
THE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL LAND - DRAFT FRAMEWORK POLICY Criteria for Trade-offs Agricultural Sector Plans Formal agreement at Provincial Level Social, economic & environmental goals PDA s empowered to establish systems for: Agricultural land use planning & regulations; Land use zoning of agricultural land; Regulate agricultural land conversions; and Input by all major role players Spatial Agricultural Plans Per local municipality Refined Land Capability data 8
THE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL LAND - DRAFT FRAMEWORK POLICY Criteria for Trade-offs High Value Agricultural Land (13.7 mil ha) Change in land use will not be allowed except if: In highest national interest; and No other alternatives available. Medium Value Agricultural Land (15.0 & 82.6 mil ha) Land use changes to be considered and finalised by Province concerned: Province specific norm & standards for subdivision and rezoning of agricultural land Provincial Internal Technical Committee 9
THE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL LAND - DRAFT FRAMEWORK POLICY Criteria for Trade-offs Intergovernmental Committee High value agricultural land Decision must be well motivated, clear and logical of all factors considered; Reasons for decision; and Implications for the objectives of this policy. AgriLand Review Board High & Medium Value Agricultural Land Independent body chaired by experienced judge / senior advocate Review decisions by DAFF and/ or Provinces 10
CONCLUSION Short term gains versus long-term sustainable development Long-term opportunity cost must be considered; and All impacts and external costs must be considered and accounted for; and All sectors must practise long-term sustainability by means of a deliberate & evidence based moral choice. The general population will only react after a natural disaster occurred. How will you be able to buy food if our agricultural land have been destroyed? How will you be able to buy clean water if all the rivers (and groundwater) are polluted? 11
THE CHALLENGE! Thank You! 12
