"In order to farm profitably, emerging farmers need to deal with challenges such as over-grazing, soil erosion and water shortages," says Mr Francis Steyn, LandCare Programme Manager for the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

"As more land becomes available to historically disadvantaged communities, the Department is actively involving beneficiaries in an innovative programme to restore the natural environment and in so doing, boost agricultural productivity and promote food security," says Steyn.

Known as the National LandCare programme, this initiative is being implemented throughout South Africa by the nine provincial agricultural departments in close co-operation with municipalities and other agents of service delivery.

Since 1997, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture has implemented 38 LandCare projects in areas ranging from Atlantis and Khayelitsha to Wellington, Worcester, Elim, Agulhas, Murraysburg and Uniondale.

At the three day LandCare conference at Elsenburg, some 600 African and international delegates will discuss successful strategies, as well as the development of an international LandCare network and public private partnerships.

The conference will be opened on September 7 by Ms Thoko Didiza, National Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs; Mr Cobus Dowry, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture; and Mr Ebrahim Rasool, Premier of the Western Cape.

On September 8, Prof Willie Esterhuyse of the University of Stellenbosch, will present a workshop outlining current land reform initiatives and proposing ways of enhancing the success of land reform in South Africa. The workshop will be chaired by Mr Carl Opperman, Chairman of Agri Western Cape.