Maphumulo IDP - KZN Development Planning

7.6. DEPARTMENT AGRICULTURE ANDENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRSA champion fora prosperousagriculturalproductive landuse, foodsecurity andenvironmentallysustainablelivelihoods.Thestrategicobjectives of thedepartment are asfollows:oImprovedlocal, nationalandinternationaltrade accessandcompetitiveness;o Provision offood security;ooIntegratedtransformeddelivery.Farmerdevelopmentand support;Integratedsustainablenaturalenvironmentalmanagement;andandserviceThe department continues to focus on thesustainable growth of agricultural developmentinitiatives, and the sustainable use, conservationand protection of environmental resources forsustainable livelihoods, through the followingcore functions:Agricultural Development Serviceso To promote a transformed and viableagricultural industry through sustainableoland use;To provide extension, analytical andspecialist advisory services to farmersand other stakeholders;o To provide and support thedevelopment of infrastructure forsustainable agriculture;ooooTo undertake appropriate research anddevelopment to advance agriculture;To develop agricultural programmes thatsupport the empowerment of vulnerablegroups;To develop a master sector plan toprovide support to municipalities; andTo develop systems for the effectiveadministration of state land.Environmental Managemento To ensure integrated sustainableenvironmental planning;oooTo mitigate the impact of and managewaste and pollutants;To empower communities with regard tosustainable resource utilisation; andTo prevent and control the spread ofinvasive alien species in the province.Veterinary Serviceso To ensure prevention and control ofanimal diseases;o To enable international trade access foranimal products;o To reduce the transfer of zoonoticdiseases to humans;o To promote safe handling of products ofanimal origin; ando To provide primary animal health carefor the improvement of herd health.ConservationooTo ensure greater accountability of thepublic entity Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife(EKZNW) and ensure greater value formoney in terms of achieving government(DAEA) objectives; andTo ensure that EKZNW complies with thefollowing objectives:o Integrated sustainable environmentalmanagement;o Integrated and dynamic service delivery;o Forming partnerships with communities to valuebiodiversity and share in the benefits; ando Maximising funding opportunities fromcommercial operations and other stakeholders.__________________________________________________________________________________________Maphumulo Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2012 - 2013Final June 2012Page 96 of 142