Western Cape Farmworkers on Wine-making Course in France

The Minister for Agriculture in the Western Cape, Cobus Dowry is at present visiting Beaune in Burgundy(France) to give practical effect to the current Cooperation Agreement between Burgundy and the Western Cape and to strengthen the bilateral relations between these two regions and to attend the Diploma ceremony of 10 winemakers who are completing a course in wine making in Beaune, Burgundy.

A cooperation agreement was signed on 12 September 2002 between the Premier of the Western Cape and the President of the regional council of Burgundy. This agreement identified various areas of cooperation with a huge emphasis on agriculture.

During November 2004, Minister Dowry led a top-level delegation to France in an effort to strengthen the existing cooperative relations between Burgundy and the Western Cape. This regional co-operation takes place against the background of the strong bilateral relations between France and South Africa. The Western Cape is benefitting from cooperation with this region especially in the area of training, transfer of skills, quality standards in agriculture, quality food products and adding value to basic agricultural products.

Burgundy is the most important wine region in France and one of the most important in the world, especially with reference to quality wines. The region is also renowned for its quality cheese production.

Is was agreed during discussions with various institutions in Burgundy that in terms of the current Co-operation agreement between Burgundy and the Western Cape that the very successful program for training of farm workers in the wine industry in Beaune, Burgundy will be continued.

The following projects are envisaged within the current cooperation agreement with Burgundy. The aim of the visit is to give practical effect to the current agreement and to give impetus to the implementation thereof:

• Training of farm workers in the wine industry. There is a common view to expand this project in various ways. This will included amongst others to enable the top 10 students of the last three years to go to Burgundy for two months in 2005 for further training. This could also include people from various agricultural sectors, not only viticulture.
• Burgundy indicated that they would provide a train the trainer's course for educators and managers in the agricultural field in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture. This could include an exchange of staff.
• Practical experience for Burgundy wine students on farms in the Western Cape. It should be noted that all French wine students must do a practical course overseas, which is coordinated and funded by the French government. Burgundy however indicated that they would like to have a separate running project with the Western Cape. It is foreseen that a basic introductory course in the SA wine industry could be presented at Elsenburg where after the students could work on wine farms in the Stellenbosch area.
• It was also agreed that a new training program for young cheese makers from the Western Cape will start in 2005 in Burgundy - this will create new opportunities for young professionals, in particular those from previously disadvantaged communities. The course was completed in June 2005. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture provide funding for this project to enable cheese makers to attend this course annually.
• The flagship project between the two regions is a training project for farm workers in the wine industry, which had been running successfully now for six years. This agricultural component of this co-operative project was reconfirmed in 2006, and different actions under this have been funded by the French partners for another three-year period.
• Various parties in the agricultural sector (especially the wine industry) in the Western Cape already participate in the implementation of the agricultural component of the co-operation Programme, with the Department of Agriculture: Western Cape playing a pivotal role in this regard. The delegates representing the Department of Agriculture: Western Cape will consist of Minister JJ Dowry (MEC for Agriculture), Mr J Topley (Office Manager: Ministry of Agriculture) and Mr MJ Paulse (Chief Director: Structured Agricultural Training). Mr Paulse is also chairing the Steering Committee for Agriculture in the Western Cape Burgundy co-operation Programme. Different other Departments are now ready to join this Programme.
• As part of the student exchange Programme, another ten (10) French students studying wine making and marketing, were hosted for 6 weeks by the Department in February 2007. Students not only received theoretical and practical training at the CIAT, but were also exposed to the broader wine industry and South African cultural life.
• In June 2007, a French delegation, under the auspices of the Burgundy Regional Council, visited the Province to explore new fields of co-operation. During the visit different Departments, (including Environmental Affairs, Sports and Culture, Agriculture, etc.) and other institutions (including Wesgro and University of Stellenbosch) made presentations to the delegation and explored potential fields and projects for co-operation.

During this visit, final preparation will also be made for the arrival in November of:

• Five (5) learners from the Western Cape participating in the sommelier training Programme at the Beaunne CFPPA,
• Ten (10) learners participating in the barrel management and maintenance-training Programme for cellar workers at the Beaunne CFPPA,
• Ten (10) learners participating in training in project management at the Beaunne CFPPA, and
• Planning of a tour of the rugby team of the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training: Elsenburg (CIAT) of France in 2008.

This visit will also coincide with the graduation of the group of 10 farm workers currently undergoing in-service training in wine making and viticulture in Burgundy from 3 September to 19 October 2007. Minister Dowry will attend the Diploma ceremony.

Enquiries:
Alie van Jaarsveld
Spokesperson
Ministry of Agriculture: Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 4930
Fax: 021 483 3890
Cell: 084 604 6701
Email: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za

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