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Mahikeng – The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in the North West Province has brought a spark of hope to the communities in Mahikeng Local Municipality. This follows a handing over of a modern designed livestock handling facility by the Department to the residents of Ditshilo village and food security projects to a number of villages in and around the municipality on Friday, 12 April 2024.
On the day, the Department through the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme dubbed Thuntsha Lerole, planted vegetable gardens at Lomanyaneng’s Life Changing Community Feeding Center, Phakisang Primary School and at Maruping Clinic in Ottoshoop.

The officials from the Department again assisted the community of Ottoshoop to establish a community food garden. All these projects were provided with seeds and tools such as spades, forks and wheelbarrows to work their gardens.

Food security remains one of the biggest threats to various communities across the Province. The threat not only being that of access to food but access to food that is nutritious, safe, and affordable. Through the food security programme that is aimed at alleviating poverty and hunger, the DARD is working hard to assist communities to be able to produce enough food in order to meet basic household food security needs throughout the year.

In support of emerging farmers, one farmer Mr David Molatlhegi Maape from Setlopo village, received ten (10) commercial boer goats for breeding and one (1) buck. Maape commended the work that is being done by the Department to assist smallholder farmers. “I am extremely happy to be one of many farmers that continue to receive support from the Department. I have received ten goats and a buck,” said Maape. His long term plan is to become a commercial breeder.

When handing over these projects, the Chief Director responsible for Agricultural Development Services in the Department Ms Bothoboile Pule, encouraged all beneficiaries to join the Department in fighting against hunger and poverty and encouraged them to continue working hard so that they can produce food.

“I am calling upon all beneficiaries of today’s programme to look after what the Department has given them and continue to do what they have been doing because the Province needs more producers,” Chief Director Pule expressed.

For sustainability purposes, the agricultural projects will be monitored by the District Food Security Teams from the Department. The Thuntsha Lerole Programme will continue to be rolled out to other parts of the Province.

PHOTO CAPTIONS: PICTURE 676A7482: The Chief Director responsible for Agricultural Development Services in the Department Ms Bothoboile Pule and Kgosana Mosiedi (blue blazer) of Ditshilo Village during the handing over a modern designed livestock handling facility to the residents of Ditshilo village.

PICTURE 676A7516: Chief Director responsible for Agricultural Development Services in the Department Ms Bothoboile Pule with farmer Mr David Molatlhegi Maape of Setlopo village. Mr Maape received ten (10) commercial boer goats and one (1) buck from the Department.

PICTURE 676A7554: Ngaka Modiri Molema Food Security Manager Mr Tsimane Thibogang Timothy Molema (white shirt) handing over garden tools from the Department to Ottoshoop residents.

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Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684/ Cell: 060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/Agriculture/
Facebook:www.facebook.com/nwpread

Mahikeng-MEC Desbo Mohono of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North-West Province will on Wednesday, 10 April 2024 officially hand over two agricultural enterprises in the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.

The two projects are Malao Boran Farming and Thekiso Aquaculture Project. The projects have been supported by the Department to promote economic growth and empowerment.

Malao Boran Farming is a beef cattle enterprise situated in Boschkop near Ventersdorp town. The founder, Regomoditswe Malao is one of the promising Boran stud-cattle breeders in the Province. In 2019, Regomoditswe was crowned emerging Stud Farmer of the Year. The Department has supported this farming enterprise with twenty-five (25) pregnant Boran heifers and other farming equipment such as handling facilities and feed mixer.

MEC Mohono will also on the day hand over Thekiso Aquaculture Project. This project situated in Klipgat farm just outside Ventersdorp town. The enterprise was supported for the first time by the Department during the 2018/19 financial year as a trial project with tunnels and fishponds.

The project owner, Mr John Thapelo Mosiako Thekiso has obtained the Nile Tilapia Permit which allows the project to farm with Nile Tilapia fish. Seeing the farmer’s commitment and dedication, the Department further assisted the project with construction of a tunnel, installation of solar system and construction of seven (7) more fishponds. All this was done by the Department in a quest to have more farmers at commercial level and to promote economic growth of the province.

Members of the media are therefore invited to cover the handing over event of these two projects which is
scheduled to take place as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 10 April 2024
Venue: Ventersdorp based Farms (Klipgat and Boschkop)
Time: From 10:00.

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Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/Agriculture/
Facebook:www.facebook.com/nwpread

Mahikeng- The North-West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono has handed over a 45000-capacity refurbished broiler house to Selame Poultry, a Haartebeesfontein-based agriculture project. This was delivered on Friday, 22 March 2024 as part of the Provincial Accelerated Service Delivery Initiative, Thuntsha Lerole at Matlosana Local Municipality.
Owner and founder of Selame Poultry, Ms Rose Rakgwale said the handover was a sign of a nod from the Department for the project to open doors for business following a 3-year hiatus. The Project had previously had to stop operations to address infrastructure issues. Their established market required the project to stick to the required specifications to sustain their supply. “I had no choice but to listen. It was a difficult decision to pause operations, but it was necessary,” Rakgwale said as she reflected on her journey.
She has acknowledged the Department’s support and only had words of gratitude towards the work done on the farm. “There was a time when I doubted if we would be able to pull the work successfully. I am glad that the house is high-tech and carries all the details that were required by my market. We are ticking all the boxes. I thank the MEC and the Department for this empowerment. The world needs to see what the government is doing for us,” Rose said enthusiastically.
The refurbished house is environmentally friendly and is equipped with a water reticulation system, a high-end security system, and a modernised electrical power system.
MEC Mohono said it was necessary to assist the farmer noting the capacity she has to deliver. She said the farm which previously was operating six broiler houses needed to be assisted so that it
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can continue with its established supply market. MEC said she was elated that Selame will now continue to do business and stir the economic activity in the area. She also appreciated the farmer’s patience towards the delivery of the project. “The Department took some time to complete the project, but this farmer was patient and that goes to show that indeed agriculture is not for the faint-hearted. I have so much pride in her etiquette, and I am confident that she will ensure that work in this farm runs with speed, “MEC Mohono said confidently.
MEC encouraged the farmer to work hard so that all other remaining houses could also be renewed to meet the required specifications and be functional.
Selame poultry project has been in operation since 2012. It has done best in its operations previously bagging accolades of Best Entrepreneurship Awards from the North-West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as the National Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform. It has a supply contract with one of the largest chicken abattoirs in the province. They also previously boosted an annual production of over 2,000,000 birds in a 70-ha farmland.
As part of the Department’s delivery of Thuntsha Lerole activities of that day, MEC Mohono also handed over a refurbished 45-ha pivot system to Mr Frank Sekonyela at Witpoort farm. Garden inputs and tools were given to Bakang Primary Schools as well as Tshepang Care Services project in Haartebeesfotein. The care project was also donated with indigenous chickens. Identified needy households also received food packages as well as garden inputs.
PHOTOS:
676A6481&676A6587: Its all system go for the newly renovated Selame Broiler project. MEC Desbo Mohono and Team DARD hand over a new broiler house to farm owner, Ms Rose Rakgwale.
676A6516: The broiler house can carry 45000 birds per cycle and is equipped new systems including with water reticulation, modernised security and electrical power supply.
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Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684
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Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg_dard

Mahikeng- The North-West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will on Thursday,
14 March 2024 hand over a brand-new livestock auction pen to the farmers and residents of Mogopa
Village near Ventersdorp town in the JB Marks Local Municipality. This is the third livestock auction
infrastructure to be handed over to communities by the Department in a space of two months since
the beginning of this year. The other two were launched in Ganyesa and Khunwana village in
February this year.
These livestock facilities are built in rural communities and are aimed at providing local farmers with
the platform to competitively market their livestock, encourage the commercial approach towards
livestock production, embark on a sustainable rural economy, and modernize livestock production
business in rural farming.
As commonly known, livestock farming has always been practiced by communities in rural areas for
years and has played a significant role in food security and income for small-scale farmers.
On the day of the launch of this facility, there will be a livestock auction and farmers will not be
charged a commission as part of the launch special. The Department will also where necessary
support local farmers with transport logistics to the auction.
Members of the media are therefore invited to cover this launch which is scheduled to take place
as follows:
Date: Thursday, 14 March 2024
Time: 10H00am
Venue: Mogopa Village, near Ventersdorp Town
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Please RSVP to Ms Tshegofatso Leepile at: tleepile@nwpg.gov.za by Tuesday, 12 March 2024.
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Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684/060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
X: @nwpg_dard

MEDIA STATEMENT
MADIBENG – The MEC for the North-West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono has handed over a high-tech combine harvester to 40 grain farmers in Madibeng local municipality. The event took place yesterday, 13 February 2024 at Geluk Village in Madibeng, Bojanala Platinum District. The farmers who are mainly into barley, wheat and Soya production will utilise the harvester collectively through their cooperative Madibeng Grain Farmers. The beneficiaries are mainly from areas including Kareeport, Sonop, Geluk, Sandrift, Mamogalieskraal, Snymansdrift and Wolwekraal.

Amongst the key modern features of the harvester is that it delivers superior harvest quality. Its technology ensures the cleanest grain sample. It also possesses more space comfortable and precise for harvesting. The IV colour touchscreen monitor can be positioned on the ideal viewing for an operator. The new LED lighting package enables 24-hour productivity. It is also equipped with a 7,5-meters removable header that is designed for particular crops. The header has revolving reel with metal teeth to cause the cut crop to fall into the auger once it is cut. The modernity of this machine will ensure gentler treatment of fragile seeds that were often crushed and destroyed during harvesting.

Amongst many positive take offs of owning the harvester, the Madibeng Grain Farmers aim to improve their agricultural practices, enhance productivity, and establish sustainable market channels. With support from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the acquired combine harvester will assist to streamline harvesting process and reduce production costs. The harvester will now take over the process of reaping, threshing, gathering and winnowing to a single process.

Speaking to the farmers, MEC Mohono has expressed her gratitude for their commitment towards the process of acquiring the harvester. Amongst others, MEC was impressed by the level at which farmers were prepared to share resources thereby positively contributing towards the local economic change. “I urge you to continue with the same spirit as you begin to collectively utilise this harvester in your over 700 hectares of land. I am happy that complaints of high costs of harvesting will be greatly reduced. Let everyone of the team members be developed in line with the modern technique of this machine,” MEC Mohono said.

She also emphasised that the harvester was in position to change the lives of the farmers for better. “This machine is placing you at commercial level, and you must know that you are now greatly carrying responsibility of assisting the improvement of food security levels of our province. This is a game changer in your farming businesses,” Mohono added.

On behalf of the group, Mr Obakeng Lebethe who is also a grain farmer welcomed the support from the Department. Not only was he in high spirit during the handover ceremony, he also took the audience into confidence as he presented how the harvester works. He said his acquired skills would assist the team to be less reliant on external help. Lebethe said the acquisition of the combine harvester brings to an end their 4-year journey of collectively requesting government to intervene in grain harvesting. That followed the high costs associated with harvesting, which mainly leaves them with close to no turn-over. He has committed his team to a high level of work etiquette and to ensure that the harvester positively impacts on the lives of all beneficiaries.

The Department will closely monitor the project’s progress, assess performance metrics, to manage harvesting and identify areas for improvement.

Photos:
256A3160: Madibeng Grain Farmers moves the SMART Agriculture way with a new Combine Harvester
256A3302: MEC Mohono with Madibeng Grain Farmers and officials of the Department during the handover ceremony of the Combine Harvester.

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Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg_dard

MEDIA STATEMENT-
Parys – As part of the recognition of abattoirs that contribute to food security and safety of the province, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development held the Abattoir Hygiene Rating Scheme Awards in Woodlands, Parys to honour forty-six (46) of them.

The aim of these awards was to enhance food security, public health, and animal welfare by improving the hygienic quality of meat while prolonging the shelf-life of meat and meat products, decreasing food spoilage and wastage, and further lowering the risk of food poisoning from meat products.

This year’s abattoir awards were based on the 2022 abattoir audits and inspections that were carried out by the department’s Veterinary Public Health Practitioners and state veterinarians through regular inspections, abattoirs are monitored within the Meat Safety and standards, requirements, and regulations to ensure safe meat is produced for human consumption.

The Head of the Department, Mr Mokhatla noted that the audits were conducted using a Hygiene Assessment System (HAS) form/document which was developed at the national level and is used by all provinces. ”These awards come after a three-year absence in our midst since 2019, as a Department we further assure and reassure all our stakeholders that we will do our best to produce healthy meat including all related products within the abattoir industry” emphasized Mokhatla.

A total of 46 abattoirs were registered and audited in 2022, eighteen (18) were high throughput, twenty-two (22) were low throughput and six (6) were rural abattoirs.

The Meat Safety Act provides measures to promote meat safety and the safety of animal products; to establish and maintain essential national standards in respect of abattoirs; to regulate the importation and exportation of meat; to establish meat safety schemes; and to provide for matters concerned therewith.

The overall winner of high throughput red meat, Ms Sanelisiwe Maseng of SoloProp, trading at Vryburg Abattoir, thanked the department for these prestigious awards, the Veterinary Public Health Officers (VPHOs) for inspiring them to continue with compliance to ensure food security and food safety.

Three audits were conducted per abattoir during the course of 2022 and the overall performance was based on the results of all three audits conducted during the year, of the total 46 abattoirs twenty (20) were poultry and twenty-six (26) red meat.

Captions
256A1056.JPG – Head of Department, Thupi Mokhatla together with Dr Langa Madyibi handing over certificate of high throughput red meat to overall achiever, Ms Sanelisiwe Maseng of SoloProp.
256A1001.JPG – Fouries Poultry Plant 2, overall achiever of high throughput poultry were handed over certificate by Head of Department, Thupi Mokhatla and Dr Langa Madyibi.

Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg _dard

MEDIA STATEMENT-
Christiana – In efforts to boost Goat Production in the province, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development through their Goat Massification Programme, handed over fortyfive (45) goats to Mr Solomon Lethoko of Prospect Farm in Christiana, Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality as part of the weekly Provincial Accelerated Service Delivery Program, Thuntsha Lerole.

The Massification programme focuses on the commercialization of goats to steer and constitute a significant contribution of rural livestock with the potential to alleviate poverty through the sale of meat, skins, crafts and milk products. Goats are generally an easy-care animal because of their small size, adaptive feeding behaviour and low management, it is much easier for small farmers with no land or a small portion of land to farm with goats than with cattle, as 10 goats could be kept on the same portion of land as one cattle.

The Head of Department, Mr Thupi Mokhatla elaborated that the farmers must see their goats as a
source of income to commercialize the goat industry. The main advantage of goats is their resistance to diseases and their adaptability to harsh grazing conditions. “Goats are a practical choice in promoting the household cash flow of people in rural areas and can help resolve food insecurity for many households,” said Mokhatla.

The support to the farmer included 43 Does and 2 Bucks, a small-stock handling facility (still under construction), water provision, breeding stock, feeds and medication.

Mr Solomon Lethoko who is pleased with his goat donation and the construction of the handling facilities expressed his gratitude for the empowerment he has received. “The facilities will help reduce stress on the goats and aid in vaccinating, deworming, weighing and the sorting process, which will give me an advantage when selling at auctions,” said beaming Solomon.

Lethoko indicated that he has some experience with livestock production. He goes to auctions to buy goats and sheep to fatten and sell them back at different auctions. He indicated that he was also taking advantage of the informal trading. ‘The majority of goats marketed in the province are sold by private transactions in the informal market to be slaughtered for religious or traditional purposes, therefore the informal market drives the goat industry,” he quipped.

Captions
256A0019.JPG – Head of Department, Mr Thupi Mokhatla together with MMC of Infrastructure and Economic Development in Dr RSM, Mr Solly Maropeng handed over 45 goats to Mr Samuel Lethoko in Christiana for Goat Massification Programme.

256A0041.JPG – Construction of handling facilities the department is building for Mr Solomon Lethoko’s Prospect Farm in Christiana, Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality.

Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg _dard

MAHIKENG – The North-West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will
commemorate Provincial World Food Day on Wednesday, 08 of November 2023 in Dikebu Village,
Bojanala Platinum District. MEC Desbo Mohono will lead this celebration in an effort to enhance
the participation of rural people, particularly women, children and the underprivileged in decisions
and measures affecting their living conditions and food security.
World Food Day aims to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen
solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. This year the Department
celebrates under the theme: ‘Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind’. This aims to
highlight the critical role of water for life on earth and water as the foundation of food; it also
seeks to raise global awareness about the importance of managing water wisely as rapid population
growth, economic development, urbanization, and climate change threaten water availability.
MEC will further address concerns about food and nutrition security and their effects on health,
education, and social well-being.
Members of the media are invited to attend the event scheduled to take place as
follows:
 Date: Wednesday, 08 November 2023
 Venue: Dikebu Village, Moretele Local Municipality
 Time: 10:00
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Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5719
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/Agriculture/
Facebook:www.facebook.com/nwpread