Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Agency

03/08/2026

FINANCE FOR FARMERS WORKSHOP.

Workshop held on building profitable, sustainable farming businesses through financial and business skills- hosted by African Farming.

22/07/2026

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR FUNDING FOR WATER RELATED
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Are you a registered Non-Governmental Organisation or Non-Profit Organisation, involved in Water Related Community Development Projects?

The Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA) is inviting you to apply for funding. For your application to be considered, it should consist of:
o Application letter.
o Completed application form; and
o Relevant supporting documentation.
Information and application forms are available at all the local libraries, on the BOCMA website: www.breedegouritzcma.co.za, and at the offices of the BOCMA at Cnr. Mountain Mill & East Lake Roads, Worcester or 101 York Street, George or 52 Voortrekker Road, Bellville.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Only applications for the Olifants-Doorn area and previous Breede-Gouritz Water Management Area will be considered.
• The BOCMA’s Grant Policy does not provide for stipends/salaries/wages. Any application requesting stipends, salaries or wages will not be considered.
• Only WATER RELATED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS will be considered.
• The Grant Policy makes provision for financial assistance up to the amount of R200 000 per project per year.
For any further enquiries please contact Ms J le Roux at 023 346 8000.
​
Closing date for applications: 31 AUGUST 2026.

Please submit applications to the following addresses:
The Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Agency
Attention: Mr Jan van Staden
Private Bag X3055
Worcester
6849

Or​​​​​​​
Hand deliver to Cnr. Mountain Mill & East Lake Roads, Worcester
Or
Hand deliver to 101 York Street, George
Or
52 Voortrekker Road, Bellville​
Or
Email to [email protected]

03/07/2026

Blue Deal Protea Project Chatbot App Workshop held with the Elim Area Small-scale Farmers.

Purpose of the workshop was:
To seek to support the Elim area subsistence farmers, emerging farmers and relevant stakeholders in their understanding, use of and adoption of the Protea Chatbot.
To support the launch of the Protea Chatbot usage amongst subsistence and emerging farmers in the Elim area with their selected priority functionalities.
To gather feedback on the Chatbot and guidance on further development and wishes for new functionalities.
To support and strengthen engagement between Department of Agriculture (DoA) extension officers and emerging subsistence farmers in the Elim area through the Protea Chatbot Project.

Participants received theoretical and practical training on the Chatbot functionalities both on WhatsApp and on Telegram.
The following functionalities were covered during the workshop:
-​Weather
-​Farming advice
-​Extreme Rainfall
-​Livestock
-​Alien Vegetation
-​Water data
-​Check nearby fires
-Incorporation of the BOCMA Emerging Farmer Support Package into the app

18/06/2026

Department of Local Government and Agriculture Collaborative Stakeholder Meeting.
Highlighting the importance of collaborative governance and adding value to service delivery through integration.
Collaboration is a strategic capability that allows us to achieve goals beyond our individual capacities.
It is a means to enhance service delivery through a mutual accountability platform.
It is a means to share and align resources and collectively share our knowledge.
Enhancing resilience and performance whilst breaking down barriers.

01/06/2026

BOCMA hosts Information Day for Resource Poor Farmers in Calitzdorp.

The Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA), in collaboration with key stakeholders, hosted an informative and engaging Information Day for Resource Poor Farmers (RPF's) in Calitzdorp on 29 May 2026.

The event brought together farmers and representatives from various organs of state to share valuable information, create awareness, and provide opportunities aimed at supporting and empowering local farmers. BOCMA hosted a variety of collaborating partners that included the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, the Department of Local Government through the Community Development Worker (CDW) Programme, and Casidra.

Throughout the day, presentations were delivered on several important topics relevant to the agricultural sector and sustainable farming practices. Topics covered included the water use authorisation process, Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) funding and its application process, food gardens and rainwater harvesting tanks, animal identification, as well as available training opportunities.

The information-sharing session also created an important platform for Resource Poor Farmers to engage directly with representatives from the various departments and organisations. Farmers were able to ask questions, seek clarity, and discuss opportunities that could positively contribute to their farming activities and livelihoods.

At the conclusion of the event, several attendees expressed their appreciation to BOCMA, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, and Casidra for the meaningful work being done in the area. Farmers also welcomed the opportunities created through such engagements, highlighting the value of continued support and collaboration to strengthen local agricultural development.

26/05/2026

Bringing GIS to life in the CAPS Curriculum through IWRM.

Learners from Porterville High School (HSP) participated in a practical demonstration on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) within the context of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
Geography learners in Grades 10 to 12 were introduced to the practical application of GIS, with particular focus on CAPS-aligned topics such as the impacts of drought, floods, and desertification.

Real-life scenarios were explored, giving learners the opportunity to contribute meaningful insights during the discussion. A typical Grade 12 final examination question was also examined, followed by an engaging discussion on possible answers and how GIS can be applied in interpreting geographic challenges.

The session was well received and sparked lively, interactive discussion, highlighting
the value of practical learning in making GIS concepts more accessible and relevant
to the CAPS curriculum.

Pictured here is Mr Fabion Smith, Water Use Specialist at the Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Agency, (BOCMA) who presented the session. Also pictured, is the top three Geography learners from Grades 10 to 12 with their teacher, Ms Laetitia Huma.

24/04/2026

17/04/2026

10/04/2026

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture hosted a Farmer’s Information Day in the Breede Valley Municipal Area and invited key stakeholders such as BOCMA and Land Bank to participate. Central topics to the presentations and discussions of the day was access to water and access to funding.