MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
23 JULY 2018
NORTH WEST FARMERS HAIL DEPARTMENT’S CROP MASSIFICATION PROGRAMME
Famers from all four districts of the province who came in numbers to mark harvest season last Friday, 20 July 2018 in Waterford Farm near Mareetsane Village have commended the department’s crop massification programme which is aimed at assisting struggling farmers with inputs to plough arable land back into production.
The programme supports famers in various ways such as technical advice, crop production resources, marketing and provision of mechanisation.
Agriculture in the province is the most important economic activity and the provincial government has over the years given it a priority to improve food security, grow the economy and create jobs.
Although harvesting is still on-going in some parts of the province, many farmers who benefitted through the crop massification programme are reporting satisfactory yields and have praised the Department of Rural Environment and Agricultural Development for its initiatives to help disadvantaged communities to create sustainable business within the agricultural industry.
One of those farmers who has benefited from the programme is Obakeng Ezekiel Melke from Mofufutso 02 near Khunwana Village which falls under Ratlou Local Municipality.
Melke thanked the department for helping him to grow his crop farming business.
“I want to sincerely thank our government for extending helping hand to us poor communities. Today my business is growing and is all thanks to government in particular the department of agriculture in the North West Province,” Melke said.
Same sentiments were shared by Rathoto Bethuel Legoete who is also a crop farmer from Ngaka Modiri Molema in Mooifontein area. In his farm, Rathotho plant maize and sunflower. He has also benefitted from the Crop Massification Programme by the Department.
He is one of the farmers who received assistance from government after assessment in 2013. He was among group of farmers who received tractors, fertilisers and other farming equipment from government to grow their businesses.
“I want to thank everyone who is involved in this programme by government to assist us as emerging farmers in Ngaka Modiri Molema. It is through this programme by government that we were identified and assisted. We received tractors, litres of diesel, fertilisers all sponsored by government and for that I want say thank you.
Delivering a word of thanks on behalf of the farmers, Professor Wilfred Legotlo said they are happy to be witnesses to government fulfilling its promises. He said the crop massification programme by the department is a good initiative and creates a platform for them as famers to be somehow competitive.
Although there are some challenges, Professor Legotlo said they appreciate department’s response in helping farmers.
“MEC Tlhape your department has responded promptly to our challenges as farmers and we are very happy that we did not despair and that you found us active today,” said Professor Legotlo.
Speaking at the Waterford farm, MEC Manketsi Tlhape said harvest season celebration event is a thanksgiving as many farmers who benefitted through the crop massification programme received good yields.
Tlhape also said her department is solemn about fighting the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
“The crop massification programme is meant to increase crop production in the province and ultimately deal with the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
MEC emphasised that farmers should use land available to them fully for production.
“Emerging farmers are crucial role players in local economic development and poverty eradication. We want to see them employing and training young people in farming as a liberating and viable option of economic development,” said MEC Manketsi Tlhape.
Crop Massification Programme in the province is targeting emerging farmers who are plying their trade under difficult circumstances due to a lack of resources.
Currently, smallholder and commercial farmers in Bokone Bophirima Province who received assistance in the form of crop production inputs in 2017/18 financial year are busy harvesting maize, sunflower, groundnuts and beans in a total of 16 132 hectares.
For 2018/19 year, the Department aims to plant over 14 000ha, a support that is envisaged to benefit 474 farmers across the Province. A total Budget of R50,5m has been set aside for this assistance.
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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/
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