Page 563 - Demo

Department: AgricultureFort Cox College. Furthermore, R4.200 million was directed toward fully supporting the skills development levy, ensuring the department benefits from AgriSETA training initiatives. Reallocations were also made to mitigate the impact of baseline reductions in conditional grants, particularly for the revitalization of agricultural colleges and farmer support projects. Additional funding was allocated for the construction of the Dohne Aquaculture Demonstration Facility. Moreover, R10.269 million from Machinery and Equipment was redirected to address essential spending needs, including government vehicle rentals, laptop replacements, and equipment acquisitions to support training and revitalization initiatives. Finally, R515,000 was reprioritized from Biological Assets to further support the construction of the Dohne Aquaculture Demonstration Facility. 5 PROCUREMENT the department is streamlining its procurement processes through framework agreements to enhance cost efficiency, risk management, and operational effectiveness. By entering into both open and closed framework agreements, the department aims to reduce administrative burdens, improve procurement turnaround times, and ensure quality assurance, particularly in agricultural inputs and infrastructure projects. From a financial management perspective, the move toward closed agreements for select inputs over fixed periods (one year for bulk procurement and up to 36 months for vegetable inputs) allows for better expenditure forecasting and budgetary control. The prioritization of suppliers based on geographic proximity and rotation ensures broader participation while maintaining costeffectiveness under Preferential Procurement Regulations (2022). The continued use of limited bidding for pre-qualified service providers, such as hydrogeologists and mechanization providers, supports efficient resource allocation. Additionally, the three-year framework agreements for infrastructure providers will enhance project execution timelines, reducing cost overruns and mitigating financial risks associated with delays or poor performance. Open competitive bidding remains for essential support services, while transversal contracts will optimize expenditure on veterinary medicine, courier, mobile, and photocopier services. Overall, this approach strengthens procurement efficiency, supports Local Economic Development (LED), and ensures alignment with fiscal discipline and regulatory compliance.Key drivers in the procurement plan include the following; %uf0b7 Procurement of mechanisation services in Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi and O.R Tambo districts, amounting to R46.120 million; %uf0b7 Procurement of production inputs (seeds, seedling, fertilizers and chemicals) for various Districts of the Eastern Cape Province amounting to R52 million; %uf0b7 Procurement of grain production inputs and mechanisation services for various districts - Import substitute projects amounting to R16 million; %uf0b7 Procurement of security services for various DoA offices across the province for a period of 36 months, amounting to R34.421 million; %uf0b7 Procurement of infrastructure mainly consisting of; o Construction of 300 cattle feedlot at Birha in Ngqushwa LM of Amathole District; o Construction of poultry structure and electricity infrastructure refurbishment at TARDI at Tsolo Agricultural Rural Development Institute (TARDI); o Supply, delivery and installation of electricity infrastructure refurbishment at Fort Cox o Construction and installation of a 1000 ton Grain Silo in King Sabata Dyalindyebo (KSD) LM of the OR Tambo District; 542