AGBIZ GRAIN SYMPOSIUM 14 AUGUST 2019 – CSIR PRETORIA Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land AGBIZ GRAIN SYMPOSIUM 14 AUGUST 2019 – CSIR PRETORIA Hein Lindemann Land Use and Soil Management

Background Ultimate outcome: Natural Resources Management THRIVING FARMING COMMUNITIES ULTIMATE NRM OUTCOME Systematically and Progressively Improved Whole Agro-Ecosystems

Background Whole Agro-ecosystem pathway Systematically and Progressively Improved Whole Agro-Ecosystems PRODUCTIVITY STABILITY VIABILITY RESILIENCY EQUITABILITY Factor of unique combination of natural assets Limited availability highly productive agricultural land Food insecurity a national risk Minimise land use changes, Resolve land use conflicts Long-term survival, growth, profitability of farmers and farming communities Evolve over time Recover after disturbance functionality, structure and feedback mechanisms Reciprocal, just & trust relations Just and fair treatment

Background Focus: Natural Capital POTENTIAL, CAPABILITY, SUITABILITY, STATE, risks AND USE AGRO-CLIMATE SOIL VELD WATER

Background Regenerative farming systems SYSTEM OF FARMING PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR REGENERATIVE FARMING SYSTEMS INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS SERVICES SPATIAL NR DATA PROGRAMMES Policies Conserv. Agric Acts / Bills CARA SALA PDALB Strategies Irrigation Invader plants Climate Change Tech Guidelines Irrigation Mitigation Adaptation Agro-ecosystems and farm planning NR Data standards Research Water use Climate change Soil & Veld Man. Administrative Advisory services Permits Consents Enforcement CARA Spatial data sets Irrigated land Land capability Crop suitability Grazing capacity Protected Agricultural Areas Climate change Irrigation Development LandCare Migratory pests

Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Bill The aim of the Bill is to promote the preservation and sustainable development of agricultural land in a proactive manner. Instruments proposed within the Bill includes: Agro-ecosystem framework including matters related to productivity, stability, viability, resiliency and equitability. Provincial agricultural sector plans, to be revised every 5 years & compiled in a participatory manner Protected Agricultural Areas to formally protect areas of high value agricultural land against non-agricultural uses Agro-eco Information System to provide access to data on the potential capability and use of agricultural land Agreed on evaluation and classification tools for agricultural land Listed activities & agro-ecosystem authorisations

Definition: Agro-ecosystem Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Bill: Agro-ecosystem Framework Definition: Agro-ecosystem “means a spatially and functionally coherent unit of agricultural activity, that can be defined on varying spatial scales, and includes the interactions between the living and non-living components of the unit within larger landscapes” Major components: Spatial & temporal trends Agricultural land use Farming communities Farming systems / practices On & off farm infrastructure Natural capital

Maize Agro-ecosystem Govan Mbeki Local Municipality: 2006

Maize Agro-ecosystem Govan Mbeki Local Municipality: 2016

Soya Agro-ecosystem Govan Mbeki Local Municipality: 2006

Soya Agro-ecosystem Govan Mbeki Local Municipality: 2016

Land use spatial trends Govan Mbeki Local Municipality: 2006 to 2016 Agro-ecosystem Area cultivated 2006 (ha) Area cultivated 2016 (ha) Maize - Dryland 28 498 42 418 Maize - Irrigated 480 1 060 Maize - Total 28 978 43 478 Soya - Dryland 8 492 25 294 Soya - Irrigated 360 487 Soya - Total 8 852 28 781

Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Bill Current status of the Bill: Completed the public participation process (Nine provincial workshops and one national workshop) Obtained approval from the Socio Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS) from the Presidency. Obtained pre-certification on the Bill from the Office of the Chief State Law Advisors. Currently the Bill is discussed at the National Economic Development and Labour Council Once enacted this Bill will replace the Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act and will provide an enabling environment to manage agricultural land in South Africa in a proactive manner.

Conclusion: Thinking in Systems: Donella Meadows Dancing with Systems Expose your mental models Honor & protect information Expand caring boundaries Good of the whole Expand our time horizons Celebrate complexity