MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Dr Keith du Plessis, Chief Executive Officer
Casidra, the Western Cape’s agency for agricultural and economic development, remains dedicated to advancing sustainable growth in rural areas. Over the past year, Casidra has achieved significant milestones in addressing poverty and food insecurity, successfully implementing approximately 10,000 community and household food security projects and managing 80 Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and Disaster Response initiatives. The agency has also provided crucial financial record-keeping support to 40 small-scale farmers and delivered training to over 4,000 farmers.
Casidra’s financial performance for the 2023/24 fiscal year underscores its resilience, with a reported profit of
R1.8 million and total revenue reaching R202 million. This revenue includes
R35.3 million from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and
R155 million allocated for various projects. The remaining funds were sourced from alternative funding streams and Casidra’s revenue-generation efforts, demonstrating our ability to attract diverse funding.
To bolster its sustainability and impact, Casidra has forged new partnerships with key institutions such as Stellenbosch University and the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa. These collaborations are designed to secure additional funding and drive innovative project development. Moreover, Casidra has undergone a major systems integration initiative to consolidate its project management, procurement, and financial systems into a unified platform. This strategic move is designed to enhance business intelligence reporting and improve decision-making processes.
Overall, Casidra’s proactive approach and strategic partnerships consistently provide substantial value, reinforcing our commitment to strengthening dynamic and vibrant rural economies.
I am profoundly grateful to Casidra’s Board of Directors for their invaluable guidance and exceptional leadership during challenging times. I also extend my sincere appreciation to Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, Head of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, and his Senior Management team for their unwavering support. My heartfelt thanks go to Minister Ivan Meyer for his strategic guidance and support, which have been instrumental in our progress. Finally, I deeply appreciate all Casidra staff for their steadfast dedication and commitment to the people of the Western Cape.