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MEDIA ADVISORY
Att : ALL EDITORS
Media Houses
Date : Monday, 21 October 2019

PROVINCE TO HOST AWARDS FOR BEST PERFORMING ABATTOIRS

Mahikeng-MEC Desbo Mohono of North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will on Friday, 25 October 2019 officiate the Annual Provincial Abattoir Hygiene Rating Scheme Awards ceremony in Potchefstroom College of Agriculture.

The awards are held to promote compliance to the Meat Safety Act, Act 40 of 2000, and to recognise abattoirs that produce and supply safe meat whilst also contributing to food security.

This year’s awards are based on the 2018/2019 financial year abattoir audits that were conducted by the department’s Veterinary Public Health Officers in Veterinary Services using the national Hygiene Assessment System (HAS) tool.

During the period under review, there were thirty-two (32) registered red meat abattoirs and twenty one (21) registered poultry abattoirs in the North West Province. The mentioned abattoirs are privately owned.

For the financial year 2018/19 forty six (46) out of fifty three (53) abattoirs were audited in terms of the scheme.

Participating abattoir were competing under following categories;
– High throughput (HT) – Red Meat
– High throughput (HT) – Poultry
– Low throughput (LT) – Red Meat
– Low throughput (LT) – Poultry
– Rural throughput – Red meat (MECs special award issued to the best performing abattoir in this category)

The audits of abattoirs under the scheme are compulsory for all regularly slaughtering abattoirs. Each year the department honours best performing abattoirs with awards conferred by the Executive Authority and the Head of the Department for complying with meat safety act.

Members of the media are therefore invited to cover this important annual event scheduled to take place as follows:
Date : Friday, 25 October 2019
Venue : Potchefstroom Agricultural College, Alex Holm Hall
Time : 18:00

Issued by 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/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg _dard

Ntswana le Metsing – We need all hands on deck to ensure that everyone in the North West Province has access to safe, healthy and nutritious food. This was said by MEC Desbo Mohono of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West Province during the Provincial World Food Day celebration in Ntswana le Metsing, a small village near Mogwase last Friday, 11 October 2019.

Held yearly across the world during the month of October, World Food Day, is a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger. This day reaffirms that, food should become a human right for all, and that everyone has the right to access safe and nutritious food that is consistent with the right to adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger.

The focus this year was on sustainable projects delivered by the department as well as encouraging residents to start planting on fields that are lying fallow in order to increase food production to fight the scourge of poverty, hunger and malnutrition amongst communities.

On the day, MEC Mohono together with a team of extension Officers planted a number of vegetable gardens and she handed over production inputs to identified families as part of departmental programme of eradicating hunger.

MEC Mohono is adamant that building a food secure province is possible.

“If we can all work as a team, both government and the society at large, people of North West will have access at all times to enough and nutritious food,” Mohono highlighted.

Her sentiments are shared by community members like Pako Jason Monegi, resident of of Ntswana le Metsing village.
Monegi has been owning a vegetable garden for some time. In his garden he plants vegetables like spinach, cabbage and onions.

To expand his garden, the department gave him vegetable seedlings and garden tools to work his garden and produce more vegetables.

The delighted Monegi thanked the department and resonated MEC Mohono’s thoughts that a food secure province is possible if everyone were to work hard.

“I am truly honoured to be amongst people who received help from government today. This has given me hope that one day I will be having a bigger project where I will be producing more vegetables and being able to sell to larger markets to earn a living,” Monegi said.

Moses Ncube an elderly resident who has been living in Ntswana le Metsing also received vegetable seedlings and tools to work and expand his garden.

Community members and leaders agree that North West Province’s enormous agricultural potential, if tapped, can feed the country, the entire continent and spur socio-economic growth.

Earlier this year, MEC Mohono made a commitment to North West residents that her department will stop at nothing until the province reclaims its rightful position of being the food basket of the country and the continent.

Whilst South Africa is food secure at national level, the country is still food insecure at household level as not all households have access to adequate food. Almost 20% of South African households had inadequate or severe inadequate access to food in 2017. The North West province is one of those that have the lowest proportions of households that has adequate food access and therefore can be seen as one of those that are the least food secure. With this statistics, MEC Mohono said clearly something needs to be done and must be done now!

“It cannot be right that we are very low when we are compared with other provinces in terms of food security. We must change how we do things and have more people with access to nutritious and enough food to keep them satisfied, healthy and active.

“Our vision as the department is that all residents must have access to and control over the physical, social and economic means to ensure sufficient, safe and nutritious food at all times, which meets their preferences, in order to meet the dietary requirements for a healthy life.

“If we work together, we can build a future where we’re able to nourish to flourish as a province. Our plans are clear. We will continue with provincial interventions to assist impoverished and vulnerable people, promote the planting of household, school and community gardens,” MEC Mohono concluded.

In addition to helping smallholder farmers, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have programmes which are aimed at empowering youth with knowledge, skills and other resources to venture into productive agriculture.

Issued by 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/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg _dard

OTTOSDAL-Pet owners in and around Ottosdal area brought their animals for free rabies vaccinations as part of a month long departmental rabies campaign aimed at extending services to communities.

The month of September has been declared as Rabies month by the OIE- World Organization for Animal Health which is the international body of disease control worldwide. Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that in spite of all the knowledge and technology the world knows, rabies still continues to kill more than 55 000 people every year around the world.

Deputy Director Animal Health in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, Dr Simon Mosenogi said that it was important to vaccinate pets, especially cats and dogs annually as a means to effectively preventing the contraction of rabies in animals and the spread thereof. This is a potentially fatal disease if left untreated and humans can easily contract rabies as they are in close contact with their pets.

“We appreciate our communities for taking precautionary measures and heeding the call to vaccinate their pets annually. This year (2019) marks the highest number of pets that we have vaccinated in a day which is 1305 dogs and 29 cats. Pet owners in the North West are continuously being reminded and educated about the importance of vaccinations which can be done at the department’s State Veterinary Offices for free throughout the year,” said Dr Mosenogi.

In addition to the rabies vaccination, Provincial Veterinaries and Animal Health Technicians de-wormed the animals in partnership with the National Department of Agriculture and the North West University technical students. Jacob Mohepadira from Letsopa Township has been a dog owner for 2 years and said that he had been using state veterinary services from 2017 and is grateful for the efforts made by the North West to extend services to those that are unable to access vaccinations closer to their areas.
Florence Fortuin who also had her two dogs vaccinated on the day applauded the department for continuously raising awareness about the disease. Fortuin said, “I have been a dog owner for eight years and every year I have been able to access vaccinations within Letsopa Township. These services give me peace of mind because I have young children who play with dogs and can be easily exposed to any kind of viruses which dogs contract”.

Rabies is a caused by a virus that affects the nervous system of the affected animal. It is caused when the virus enters the body from saliva of infected animals through a bite wound.

The exposure may include bites, but it is important to note that small nicks that break the skin or even licks of the eyes, nose and mouth are regarded as exposure.

The clinical signs that are expected in a positive rabies case are signs related to the dysfunctional nervous system. They are classified either as “dumb form” or “aggressive form”. In the dumb form, these animals show signs of lethargy and progress to facial paralysis. In the aggressive form they show signs of extreme aggression and as they get paralysed in the face, they tend to produce lot of saliva. Some animals may simply show hindquarter paralysis.

Experts say human beings are extremely susceptible to rabies. The spill of rabies into humans usually starts from the wild animals (Sylvatic rabies). Wild rabies is transmitted to the domestic animals like dogs and cats. Once infected, they show aggression and tend to bite anything including humans. In that way humans tend to get it. Once human being contract rabies, it becomes a dead end host, like most of your herbivorous animals because they cannot transmit it to others by biting but they die.

Since the beginning of this year (2019), North West Province alone has reported at least eighteen (18) cases of Rabies. Eight of these outbreaks occurred in the Bojanala Platinum District. In Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Districts there were (4) four outbreaks recorded for each, while Dr Kenneth Kaunda District recorded two (2) outbreaks.

To curb this, officials from the Department are constantly embarking on activities across the province to educate and bring awareness to communities on the importance of vaccinating pets and why it is important to neuter or spay pets.

Earlier this year, MEC Desbo Mohono assured communities of North West Province that her department will continue to ensure that all threats to animal health are detected early and dealt with decisively.

Community members are further advised to report any suspicious symptoms of rabies to any local state vet offices and health facilities in the province. For more information, community members can contact their nearest State Veterinary Services Office or call any of the following offices for further investigation and laboratory confirmation.

NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA DISTRICT
Mahikeng State Vet Office : 018 381 3449,
Ratlou State Vet Office : 018 336 1121
Tswaing State Vet Office : 053 948 1188
Ditsobotla State Vet Office : 018 632 4061
Ramotshere State Vet Office : 018 363 3144

DR KENNETH KAUNDA DISTRICT
Klerksdorp State Vet Office : 018 468 6955
Potchefstroom State Vet Office: 018 294 5378
Ventersdorp State Vet Office : 018 264 3159
Wolmaranstad State Vet Office: 018 596 3094

BOJANALA DISTRICT
Madibeng State Vet Office: 012 709 1108
Moretele State Vet Office: 012 714 3914
Moses Kotane State Vet Office: 014 555 6023
Rustenburg State Vet Office: 014 592 9281/2
Kgetleng State Vet Office: 014 544 0607

DR RUTH SEGOMOTSI MOMPATI
Molopo State Vet Office : 053 937 0047
Kagisano State Vet Office : 053 998 3528
Naledi State Vet Office : 053 927 2274
Mamusa State Vet Office : 053 963 1140
Lekwa Teemane State Vet Office: 053 433 1415
Greater Taung State Vet Office: 053 994 2238

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

Mahikeng – While much work remains, successful efforts by the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in establishing agri-projects across the province is bearing some fruits.

The department has established number of agri-projects mostly in the rural parts of the province to stimulate the economy, alleviate poverty and advancement of rural communities.

One such project is Mathotshe Business Enterprises. The project is situated in Doornkop, thirty kilometers (30 km) outside Ventersdorp town and is farming with aquaculture and aquaponics.

Aquaponics is a way of producing food that combines aquaculture (farming aquatic animals such as snails and fish) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In this type of farming, the plants get their nutrients from the nutrient rich water produced by the fish wastes.

The farm specializes with Nile Tilapia and is headed by a female, Ms. Salome Mathobela. The beneficiary is the first black woman in South Africa to receive the Nile Tilapia permit. She also has Mozambiccus permit and she is a member of Tilapia Association South Africa (TASA).

For years, Ms Mathobela toyed with the idea of owning aquaponic farm.

In 2014 she finally bought herself a bare land and established her own farm.

Three years down the line, her dream of expanding and increasing production became a reality when the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Province offered to support her project with infrastructure through its Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme.

Thorough this programme, the government invested with the following infrastructure equipments in the enterprise: two large (2) tunnels, fully equipped solar system with control room for power, a generator, fourteen (14) ponds and production inputs.

The farm now specializes with Nile Tilapia with the capacity of producing 13tons of fish per annum. Mathobela also grow vegetables in the area around these seven ponds/tanks, as these will absorb potentially harmful gases escaping from the tanks while helping to create a warm, tropical climate conducive to the wellbeing of the fish.

The plants are grown organically and no chemical fertilisers or pesticides are used.

“We keep things as natural as possible. We harvest one (1) ton of tilapia fish every month,” Mathobela indicated. While aquaponic is often perceived as complicated, Mathobela says that the system operates on very simple principles.

“The fishes’ waste is then broken down by nitrifying bacteria, initially into nitrites and subsequently into nitrates, which the plants utilise as nutrients,” Mathobela explains.

The farm also produces a variety of leaf vegetables that are sold in colourful, mixed packs.

They include jasmine tomatoes, green beans, green pepper and spinach.

“We are currently selling and supplying various stores in North West and Gauteng Province with organic vegetables and fish.

“I truly believe that diversification production through aquaculture and aquaponics practices is the future of farming. It works in rural or urban areas and all you need is a little know-how,” Mathobela highlighted.

The department has monitoring mechanisms in place to oversee the day-to-day running of these cooperatives and to ensure sustainability.

Mathobela has acknowledged the department’s contribution in assisting her to get necessary skills.

“I have an official from the department who is always available for advice. Through her assistance, I managed to attend a number of aquaculture and fishery awareness campaigns, farmer’s days, training organized by the department and that has helped me a lot to improve my farming skills.

This official has also linked me with commercial farmers.

Currently the farm has five (5) permanent employees. It creates five (5) temporary jobs every month during fish harvesting. Annually, it creates over fifteen (15) temporary jobs for weed control and during planting of vegetables.

One of the employees is Ntsoaki Maria Molosi (20) from the neighbouring village of Mafole. She enjoys working at Mathotshe Business Enterprise.

“I enjoy working here and since my arrival I have learned a lot and developed interest for fish farming,” Molosi said.

Molosi also has a dream of having her own farm just like her employer. The owner, Ms Mathobela says food security is at the heart of her farm and is hoping that soon her business will grow to create more jobs.

Her project is one of many which are supported by the department responding to high rate of unemployment amongst North West Province communities who are still locked in cycles of generational poverty and food insecurity.

The support programme from the department also includes training of beneficiaries, mentoring and technical assistance by state Extension Officers.

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

VRYBURG– Ten more North West farmers have received Bonsmara bulls as part of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s plan to empower farmers in order to improve their livestock. MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono handed over the bulls in an occasion hosted by the Department at Armoedsvlakte Livestock Breeding Farm near Vryburg Town yesterday. The ten farmers come from the four districts of the province and are already on livestock production.

The handover is also part of MEC’s response to the needs of the farmers as highlighted during her Stakeholder engagements sessions earlier this year. MEC had since committed to ensuring that farmers’ needs are prioritised.

In support of the MEC’s vision,some commercial livestock farmers are also coming on board to collaborate with the Department on assisting farmers to improve their livestock and strengthening the province’s position on meat production. In addition to the ten bulls handed over, one other farmer has donated 3 rams which were also handed over to other three young farmers making the number of animals donated to 13. Earlier this year MEC presided over a donation of bulls which were from the stud breeders in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.

In handing over livestock, MEC Mohono encouraged the farmers to make sure that the donation works for them. “It cannot be right for us to buy meat out of the country when we have potential and I would like to urge farmers to ensure that they take good care of the animals. They have been donated with a hope to change lives and we would want to see livestock improvement in the province,” Mohono told the farmers.

MEC urged the farmers who received rams to work hard and take position in changing lives. She emphasised that young people stand a better chance of succeeding by virtue of them being young but there are instances where they become reluctant and they end up with frustrations.

In encouraging other both Mr Duncan Serapelwane and Mr Katlego Gaoraelwe, commercial farmers who have committed to participate in livestock improvement, urged the farmer to keep in touch with them in order to share ideas and challenges they face. They indicated that the quality of the breeds farmers received was high thereof demanded extra care. They pledged their continued support to farmers.

Ms Tsholofelo Ntsompe, a farmer based in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and a beneficiary of the programme appreciated the efforts the department. She said she felt that the department had elevated the farmers and it was now due for the farmers to ensure that they show appreciationby changing how they do business.
In her budget speech last month, MEC Desbo Mohono indicated that the programme is aimed at assisting farmers in ways needed to make the agricultural sector a more economical one, thus leading to a general upliftment of the farmers and the broader communities.

Mohono further said that; through this programme farmers will be able to increase their profitability since access to the competitive beef industry markets will be improved

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/dard
Twitter: @NWGP_DARD

BRITS – Batlhako Temo Services have successfully entered the export market, making them the first black owned citrus orchard in the North West province to enter the global market. The Brits based company will see their products going to Middle East areas as well as Taiwan.

Having started the project in 2012 on a farm leased from the now Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform, the enterprise partner Issac Moilwa says the journey has not been easy. The 5 members’ cooperative started in 2012 by sunflower producers at that time. After the first difficult two years which saw the passing away of two members and a loss on production, the remaining members decided to introduce citrus.

The 61,5 hectare farm currently has 16 000 citrus trees. Of this only 21 is under production. Although in around 2014 until 2017, the production was in teething stage, their dream was slowly gaining momentum. The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development assisted the business on two occasions with at least R800 000 of each of those years. With the funds, the cooperative improved their irrigation system and structure their office space and other logistics.

“We placed in irrigation system and from there we never looked back. We have been receiving technical advice from the department and we are comfortable of the strides we have from such assistance, ”Moilwa said. They are also part of the Citrus Growers Association which generally supports members to be globally competitive.

To date the company has employed 10 workers permanent and over 70 seasonal. The seasonal workers are divided into the local and export market workers. Their workforce includes a seasoned farm manager whom the cooperative commissioned to create a structure for the company and take it to international platforms. Their journey was faced with challenges however they did not despair.” We were ready to export in 2018 but we could not get a pack house so our products ended in the local markets including SIR Fruit and Magalies Citrus Company. We were determined to break through and as such we did manage to get a pack house. So far we have managed to deliver seven containers and we hope to deliver more the end of the harvest season.

Much as this is a milestone, this family cooperative have big dreams in as far as developing their business is concerned. They would like to increase on the exportable trees in their other available land. They would also like to own a pack house which they believe is a need. “Pack-house will cut a lot of costs and eventually lead to us employing possibly over 200 people. We would like to make that great contribution to job creation and that is what many companies are looking forward to these days.

North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono remain impressed by the orchard after visiting in the past few weeks. She has encouraged the team to work even harder and grow their global market. Mohono said she would wish to see many farmers tapping on the same knowledge and expanding their territories.

Despite the water leak challenges that are in the their current space as well as transport to their leased pack House, Batlhako Temo is determined to make it big in the industry. The fact that they are first to enter the market makes them prepared to work and share ideas with other farmers. They are due to host a farmer’s information day in November this year as part of their effort to share ideas with other farmers.

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/dard
Twitter: NWPG_DARD

The continued commitment to farmers support and development by the North West Department of Agriculture and development is giving birth to many blossoming businesses across the province. In the Bojanala District alone, farming entrepreneurs are at length breaking the barriers and entering the once stiff markets. One of those farmers, Sonto Mujakachi has her eyes glued to bigger farming territories. The urge of going back to her „first love‟ has driven once a celebrated corporate executive manager to leave her occupation and join the farming sector. Mujakachi has vowed to make a mark on food security after quitting her full time job which she had been doing for 25 years and joined the agriculture sector permanently.

In a 50 hectares farm, she has bought and has been operating in since 2016, Mujakachi specialises in the production of agricultural products which include spinach, peppers and beans and baby marrows. Of the 50 hectares of the farm which is based at Brits within the Madibeng Local Municipality, only 25 hectares are under irrigation.

She has appreciated the support of nearly R1million infrastructure development from the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. She indicated that the pivot system bought through the support has made the running of the farm a lot better and was looking forward to business growth. She is also receiving technical support through advisory services team of the Department.

“I started this company is 2016 as a sole owner. I was simply responding to government‟s call for woman industrialists to become involved in the agricultural sector. So our focus is to establish a formidable agricultural company that produces first grade peppers, spinach and cucumber for both domestic and international markets,” she highlighted.

The farm is structured into four multispan tunnels with drip irrigation, a six hectare shade net structure, two hectares of open land with drip irrigation, 14 hectares open land with centre pivot. The 650m2 packhouse consist of features such as cold room facilities, ablution and washing up facilities, sanitation machines, wrapping and packing facilities, pallet handling as well as loading ramps.
She was so determined to succeed that she did an intensive research before putting her dream into action. She has assembled a team of highly driven individuals to run the farm. “I would to see the farm succeed at all costs and I was prepared to take many risks to into by investing my entire retirement package into it and to look for people with notable credentials in the sector. My team is partner focused and places the utmost trusting relationships within the group, with our stakeholders and business partners,” she alluded.

The 51-years-old mother of one, is currently employing 40 workers, 20 permanent as well as 20 seasonal. She is encouraged to contribute to provision employment opportunities. “The unemployment statistics do not paint a good picture for us as South Africa. I try to provide as many opportunities as I can especially for young people. I take full responsibility as an entrepreneur to ensure that Treasure Trove Farms make a difference by giving young people work opportunities, Mujakachi emphasised.

She also trains her staff on an ongoing basis and this she said assists to keep them up to date with new standard requirements and generally to have a skilled team. She further indicated that there was a lot of space for growth and development in the sector.

Her hard work and dedication has led her to secure supply contracts with giant stores like Woolworths, Pick „n Pay, Food Lovers Market and Fresh Mark. She supplies these all at a national market and on a daily basis. She further supplies to the Pretoria and Johannesburg Fresh produce markets. Sonto said she was looking forward to many other supply opportunities and she was currently exploring the export market for cucumbers.

To any woman who would want to make it in the sector, Mujakachi said the sector is not easy, yet, it is very rewarding. “Besides the cost of production and changing weather patterns and other than relying on the breath of your employees skills, you need to have a good relationship with the community that you work in. It is amazing how our local farmers can have skills and expertise. I advise women farmers to take advantage of those and learn from others. The knowledge is amazing, do not only look into what you have, the world around you might be richer with expertise,” she acknowledged.

She emphasised that she was welcoming any farmer who would want to go and work with her. She is prepared to share her skills with others. With the big markets she is already exposed to, she indicated that she would want to see other farmer tapping into the same markets. She is also prepared to assist through her pack house and teach others packing methodologies. But over-all, Mujakachi indicated she is prepared for collaborations with emerging farmers who are determined to grow their business.

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 Twitter: NorthWest_READ

Brits – Trading with vegetables, fruits and flowers is increasing in the Bojanala District, drawing hundreds of people yearly to annual Horticulture Expo and equally creating a platform for sharing ideas amongst the farmers themselves. From the day to day vegetable products, to agro-processed products like beauty items, Moringa and ornamental plants and many others, the 2019 Expo reflected a step in the right direction for this event hosted by the by the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at Brits Sport Grounds on 15 August 2019. The Expo was held in partnership with Madibeng Local Municipality.

The Bojanala Expo is a developmental initiative in that amongst others is aimed at showcasing horticulture products through various exhibitions as produced by local farmers and consequently market such produce and services. Furthermore farmers were, through the Expo, afforded training and skill transfer opportunities. With the theme “Live Better with Horticulture”, the entrepreneurs brought what could be termed the cream of their crop products, scoring some good sales and some good exposure for their brands.

Whilst they appreciated the opportunity, farmers were keen on their involvement in making sure that the market grows to greater heights.

Minah Kgwebane of the Masa a Khwebane Primary cooperative who exhibited their Agro processed beauty products valued the prospect of engaging with other farmers and hopes to participate further in the Expo. From only being in business for a full one year, the young woman who is also a medical doctor by profession acknowledges that agriculture is a way of life. She currently uses aloe vera for her products and hopes to grow business to the export level. Her 5 hectare farm in the far flung village of Jericho is making strides and with the platforms like the Expo, Kgwebane is adamant that “Business is finding its true meaning,” she said.

Job Betha, one of Honey Nectarous, has been on honey keeping business for over 10 years in Brits. He currently employs 8 people. He has received financial support from other government organisations. He is also looking forward to further participate in the Expo.

Speaking to the farmers at the opening of the 2nd event, the North West Agriculture and Rural Development Department’s Director at Bojanala District, Ms Arlene Dikolomela said there was a need for business networking platforms and the Bojanala Horticulture Expo will at length serve as a platform for such engagements. “This field requires participants to share ideas on an ongoing basis, and we need this expo to assist farmers to continually meet and engage. We also have invited leaners and we need farmers to motivate them,” Dikolomela said.

She was confident of the horticulture performance in Bojanala and resolute towards the sector support and development. “There is potential and as we are working towards the 2030 goal of reducing hunger. We have seen many professionals leaving their sectors and joining agriculture and this indicates that were bound to get some game changing ideas from them, “she concluded.

Ngaka Modiri Molema Animal Health Technicians from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development held the 2nd mini-congress on Wednesday, 14 August 2019 with the aim of improving their knowledge around Porcine/ Pig Diseases and to sharpen their skills on animal health issues. This comes after the increase of outbreaks of the African Swine Fever (ASF) that led to the quarantine of farms that were affected in and around April 2019.

Animal health technicians fulfil an important task with regard to the health of both the animal and human population in South Africa and are mainly responsible for the maintenance of primary animal health care.

Dr Simon Mosenogi, the Deputy Director for Veterinary Animal Health said “this congress will enable technical staff to be better equipped to assist clients in the event of outbreaks and disease prevention as it is what we as veterinary service advocate for at all time. This recent outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) came at a time when we were prepared and had put effective control measures in place. I am happy that we have made significant progress in ensuring that we have capacity to deal with outbreaks.”

Agriculture and Rural Development Deputy Director for Export and Import, Dr Rapule Mphuthi spoke extensively on the importance of vaccination and the early treatment programme for disease control of various pig illnesses that affect production and the economic aspect of pig farming. “It is important that when animal health technicians visit a farm for a reported case, they take the necessary precaution that will enable them to correctly diagnose diseases and record things such as temperature which may be regarded as insignificant, however, such information help in tracking disease patterns. It is also important to note that there are diseases that cannot be managed with treatments and therefore the animals would have to be culled,” Mphuthi said.

In addition, South African Pork Producers Association (SAPPO), Dr Peter Evans presented on the Common Porcine Disease of Note and disease prevention strategies that are often neglected.

He said that strict bio-security measures can prevent the biggest and heaviest diseases that affect pigs. “There is no vaccine or cure for ASF thus simple measures such as changing clothing and sanitising when entering a farm can prevent the spread of disease that may have been picked up from other infected pigs,” Evans said.

The department’s Veterinary Services directorate urges farmers to be vigilant and to report any sudden illness and deaths of their pigs to the local state veterinarian.

This training on animal disease prevention and control will continue at other three districts of the province.

Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684 / 5719
Cell: 060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/Agriculture/
Facebook:www.facebook.com/nwpgdard
Twitter: @nwpg_dard

Brits- Bojanala Youth Groups would like to see more training and development offered to share information on available opportunities in the Exports and Import related markets. The youth were part of a workshop on regulations relating to grading, packing and marking of fresh vegetables hosted by the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
DARD) National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. Thisworkshop was done as part of the 2nd Horticulture Expo held at Brits Sport Grounds on 15 August 2019.

The workshop was intended to share information with the farmers on the requirements for entering the fresh produce Exports and Import markets. This included legislative framework that govern the vegetable industry that farmers would need to understand before entering the market. Issues relating to restrictions, quality standards, packing requirements and packing materials were some of the discussions shared with the enthusiastic farming entrepreneurs.

Mr Mpho Sekgala from the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, who works with Food Imports and Exports standard, said it was imperative for the farmers to get information on the requirements as the market need ed people who would have a higher production volume and would be able to sustain it. He emphasised that many farmers end up facing challenges in their businesses because they d o not do enough research before entering the market. “ The Department is available to guide as and when farmers need to export. There is information in terms of which country need what type of fresh produce as well as when is that needed. This information is very handy because the farmers get to know the demand.

Sekgala encouraged the farmers to form structures which would have specialist s dealing with market access, Business Support, Capacity and Technical issues . He reiterated that the incumbents would enable a better operation of an organisation and create a sustainable process for the functioning thereof . “This means whenever you have received funding, your specialists based on their area of work must advice on how t he resources can be allocated and utilised. The effective use of the model allows for uninterrupted management of an organisation.

Tebogo More of SAYCC youth group from Kgabalatsane who participated at the workshop said the export and import market infor- mation was very advantageous on their part. He thought that more over the standards needed for exports and import markets, the session shared information which presented business opportunities for youth. “It was interesting because, more than what farmers need to do before exporting or importing, for us we saw a lot of opportunities for business especially for young people,” he quipped. “The Pack House concept is one which caught my attention. We will go out and do a research on what is needed for a fresh produce Pack House but from what I get here, t his is so doable for youth. We sometimes need to identify the gaps and be in position to close them,” More added.

He said he was going back to further share information with his five member group with a hope that they will feel inspired as he was. “Our involvement means many young people would be entepreneurs and because this would be a youth project even the jobs created must be biased to youth. Our contribution to youth employment statistics would be significant,” he concluded.

The DARD Director at Bojanala District, Ms Arlene Dikolomela encouraged the farmers to work together and start a forum which will look deeply into how farmers will work together to grow horticulture business and impact positively on people’s lives.

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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Twitter: NorthWest_dard