Archives: News

MEDIA RELEASE
Att : ALL EDITORS
Media Houses
Date: Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Mahikeng-The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West Province has started with the second round of testing for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) as well as the inspection of farms in the JB Marks Local Municipality area (where the first case of FMD in the province was first reported.) This exercise, which started on the first week of May 2022, will continue for the next two to three weeks and it is set to cover all farms in the whole 10 km radius of the farm where the first outbreak was determined.

According to the Director for Veterinary Services in the North Wes Province Dr Langa Madybi, the tests and inspection of farms is done to determine if there is no virus that was still in incubation during the last tests and will manifest when its incubation finishes. “These tests are coupled with inspection for clinical signs and will serve as the basis for deciding on lifting the quarantine or not,” Dr Madybi emphasized. He also mentioned that sixty six (66) samples were taken from three (3) different farms where these tests were conducted for the week ending on the 06th May 2022 and no additional farms were quarantined. Since the re-testing exercise, eight (8) farms have already been attended to and a total of one thousand five hundred and fifteen (1515) cattle, hundred and eighty one (181) sheep and thirty five (35) goats have been inspected.

Although the disease has not spread beyond the point where it was arrested in, farmers in the province are still urged to use caution when sourcing cattle. They are advised to ensure that they know the health of the animals they are buying. They are also advised to be on the lookout for signs that resemble the disease and report them immediately to the nearest State Veterinary office.

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 _dar

 

Date: Thursday, 05 May 2022

Brits – MEC Desbo Mohono held her last session of the stakeholder engagement with farmers in Bojanala District on Friday, 28 April 2022. The meeting outlined possible methods that will assist farmers to reach commercial status with various funding institutions (government, private sector and NGOs) and programmes such as ILIMA, the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) as well as the prioritization of youth and female farmers which has taken main focus for MEC Mohono to develop and improve the agricultural economic system, the value chain as well as to tackle unemployment, food insecurity and to improve the overall output of produce in the province. Speaking at the meeting, MEC Mohono encouraged farmers in particular the young ones to take advantage of opportunities presented by government to grow their craft. “I am encouraging youth and female farmers to take heed of the opportunities presented to them by government.

They should not underestimate their potential with the belief that agriculture is a male dominated industry and therefore their contributions will not make a difference. The department is committed to providing quality services and support to emerging farmers specifically in this demography as they are able to incorporate and share experiences with each other to grow the industry as businesswomen,” said MEC Mohono. Louisa Mogotsi, a citrus farmer from Mooinooi who has received assistance from department and currently exporting her produce to various countries expressed her gratitude towards MEC Mohono’s inclination to concentrate funding towards women to enable themdiversify and collaborate with other female farmers massify their produce as well as invest in skills development.

Amongst others, attendees received presentations on different topics such as supporting effective capacity development in the North West Province, refocusing agriculture in the North West Province with special focus on livestock farmingas well as a presentation on many advantages in aquaponics farming; poultry, citrus, red and white meat; horticulture as well as on grain production. Discussions that transpired during the engagements with farmers in all four districts yielded a way forward for the department to address the challenges raised and have also restored confidence and trust in government’s efforts and the vision that black farmers have to become not only commercial but mega farmers that are able to contribute immensely to the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

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

MEDIA STATEMENT
Att : ALL EDITORS
Media Houses
Date: Thursday, 14 April 2022

Mahikeng –Following Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Potchefstroom at Dr Kenneth Kaunda District recently, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (NWDARD) has so far inspected 65 farms and this operation is set to continue during the Easter weekend. On all these farms a total of 1463 cattle, 100 sheep, and 19380 pigs were inspected. This week alone, two of the farms were issued with Precautionary Quarantine Notices.
The Veterinary Service of the Department equally continues to enforce a tight biosecurity process. Dr Langa Madyibi, Director: Veterinary Service of the NWDARD said “Strict attention is paid to biosecurity when moving from farm to farm as Technicians are required to disinfect when moving around the farms.” This is to curb any possible spread of the disease to other farms.

Madyibi said that inspection and blood sampling of farms in the neighboring 10-kilometer radius (from the farm where the first outbreak was determined) is continuing to determine if there are any farms that may be latently infected. The process will continue until all the farms in that radius have been sampled. “Afterwards a period of 2 incubation period is going to be allowed to pass before another round of sampling takes place. That will help to determine the clinical endpoint of the disease and begin our Day 0 counting for determination of lifting of quarantines,” Madyibi further clarified.

The MEC for NWDARD, Desbo Mohono is still calling for calm among the livestock farmers in the province. “The Department has assembled a dedicated team to ensure that all precautionary measures are undertaken to prevent the further spread of the disease. We urge farmers to be on the lookout for clinical signs that resemble the disease and report them immediately to the nearest State Veterinary office,” MEC Mohono reiterated.
All farmers, livestock owners, members of the industry are again, urged to use caution when sourcing cattle, ensure that you know the health of the animals you are investing in and where possible, seek a health attestation from the seller’s veterinarian confirming the health status of the animals you are buying.
Should any suspicious clinical symptoms (salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping, or hoof lesions) be seen, they should be reported to the local State Veterinarian immediately and such animals must not be moved under any circumstances.

Issued by:

Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684018 389 5684/ / Cell: Cell: 0060 745 402060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.zaESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg _dard

MEDIA STATEMENT
Att : ALL EDITORS
All Journalists
Media Houses
Date: Tuesday, 12 April 2022

Mahikeng-In a quest to speed up the agricultural services to the communities of North West and revitalise  operations within the Department, MEC Desbo Mohono of Agriculture and Rural Development has been  meeting with the workforce of the department in the four districts of the province.The aim of the drive was to find better ways of providing services, to encourage a new revitalized approach to  agriculture and to inculcate a culture of excellent service delivery and professionalism when working with
service recipients. The staff that the MEC has been meeting include specialists from the department to the general administration staff from various units of the department.Speaking in a meeting held in Vryburg town in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District on Thursday 07 April  2022, MEC Desbo Mohono reminded officials in this district that they are all important and that the people are  relying on them for services.

Addressing the extension services and veterinary staff, MEC Mohono said Extension officers must always  remember that they are at the forefront of service delivery and are the face of the sector to clients and the  general public. ‘You are the coalface platform for the department’s interaction, liaison and support to farmers and  communities. We therefore expect you to work closely with farmers and communities,” Mohono emphasized. To the veterinary services staff of the Department, MEC Mohono had this to say, “I appreciate the work that  you are doing, however I wish to remind you that your primary responsibility is not only to ensure that we are  safe from the disease, but to also educate our farming communities about the importance of animal health  which does not only contribute to improved health of the animals but also to improved food security of the  province. “Be our ambassadors on the ground.

You are the most critical component of agriculture. Farmers and  communities will only gain comfort if you continue to support them,” MEC Desbo Mohono expressed. In her stopovers in various districts, MEC Mohono was emphasizing that she wants to see action and results  from every unit. “We are a team and therefore we need to work as one. This silo mentality that I am seeing, will not take us  anywhere.  The people that we are serving want nothing but services. If we have differences, let us put them  aside and put the needs of people we are serving before everything,” MEC Mohono said. The staff in general welcomed MEC Mohono’s gesture of taking time out of her busy schedule to meet with  them. One of them is Mahlaku Malebati, an Animal Health Technician based in Ganyesa. He expressed his appreciation for the meeting between the MEC and the staff. “I am going back to my  workstation re-energized and inspired. Thanks to MEC Desbo Mohono for affording us this platform to discuss  important issues that sometimes hinder our performances. I am hopeful that whatever that has been  discussed here will be implemented,” Mahlaku said.  MEC Mohono has emphasized that her engagements with departmental officials is not going to be a once off  arrangement but will be continued.  She said she will meet with them again after six months to monitor  implementation of departmental plans and progress thereof.

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 _dar

MEDIA STATEMENT
Att : ALL EDITORS
Media Houses
Date: Monday, 04 April 2022

Mahikeng – The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has placed five farms on quarantine and forward traced farms on precautionary quarantine following Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Potchefstroom at Dr Kenneth Kaunda District recently. Since the identification and confirmation of this outbreak in the area, a Joint Operations Centre (JOC) has been set up including amongst others a team of Veterinarians from the NWDARD, provincial disaster management office, farmer’s unions and the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
The working team consisting of members from the Veterinary Services is currently in and around the area and all other farms which connects the original property to undertake inspections and collect samples where significant clinical signs are presented. The team is conducting inspections and
surveillance through blood sampling in order to determine the extent of the spread. The auction in Potchefstroom received 12 cattle from one of the infected farms and there was forward tracing from the auction to all farms of destination. About 217 cattle, sheep and goats that were sold at the Potchefstroom auction have all been traced to Gauteng (Vanderbijlpark, Westonaria, Kempton Park) Free State and North West (Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom) and the farms have
been visited. Gauteng and Free State Veterinary Services have been informed. The names of the buyers are known to Veterinary Services unit of the North West province.

The department would like to call on animal farmers not to panic. The Veterinary Services team is hard at work to ensure that all precautionary measures are undertaken to prevent the further spread of the disease. The Department also urges farmers against vaccinating animals for Foot and Mouth Disease, as vaccines without authorization can result in vaccinated animals testing positive and being classified as infected resulting in further measures being imposed on the farm.
In the North West Province, vaccination of cattle and pigs against FMD is not permitted and is therefore illegal. The sale of such vaccines is also illegal. Vaccines that are used for this purpose need to be registered and authorized by the National Director Animal Health for such purpose and as such, they are only in the hands of government officials. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects all cloven hoofed animals of domestic and wild
origin. It presents with sores in the mouth and in between the digits causing them to be depressed, reluctant to eat and be lame. The disease does not affect humans and meat from such animals is safe to eat when it has been treated in prescribed manner. Farmers are advised to be on the lookout for clinical signs that resemble the disease and report them
immediately to the nearest State Veterinary office.

MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, 25 March 2022
Att: Editors
All Journalists
All media houses

The National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development together with the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development welcomed the veterinary graduates at the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture (PCA) for the twelve (12) months Compulsory Community Service (CSS) intake programme. The nine (9) newly qualified vets have been placed across the North West province to render their services to rural communities, as well as to gain valuable experience and knowledge through the mentorship of seasoned vets from the department.

CCS is a national programme that aims to capacitate graduate vets with practical clinical experience on prevention of disease, rendering ambulatory services and providing education on
livestock production. Veterinary Services Director, Dr Langa Madyibi said these new appointees are coming at an interesting time when the province has its first outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease which will give them exposure to disease control and management. “The programme will be offering a wide range of experience and challenges that will demand them to meet community demands even after hours and think strategically. They will also need to embrace working in villages and execute quality services with limited resources as they have to uphold the public service mandate at all times”

Anien Bezidenhout (26) from Lichtenburg in the North West said she is looking forward to working in rural communities. “I want to learn more and build my confidence because when you are studying it is different than experiencing the clinical cases and seeing firsthand how treatment will unfold. Every consultation is different and there is so much that one is exposed to that we also learn from the people we render services to” Narissa Naicker (27) from Springs, Gauteng who has been placed in Mothutlong State Vet
encourages young black females to study veterinary as it is a regarded as a predominately white industry. “There is ample opportunity to make a difference in our communities because we have
been afforded the privilege that our parents previously didn’t have as black people in South Africa. Young girls who have a passion for the sector should pursue a career in this field because
there is an enormous impact that they can make in the primary health care of animals and the industry at large”

Ms Morongwa Senyatsi, a CSS Coordinator from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development conducted an extensive induction which included with a code of conduct which the vets have to maintain as public servants for the duration of their programme.

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/dard
Twitter: @nwpg _dard

MEDIA RELEASE
Att : All Media Houses
All Journalists
All Editors

DATE: Thursday, 24 March 2022

Rietspruit- Communal farmers in the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality will not have to travel long distances or rent livestock handling facilities from other farmers for the purpose of livestock handling. This comes after the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West Province handed over a total of eleven animal handling facilities to farming communities across the District.

These facilities are used during practices such as artificial insemination, castration, inoculation, dehorning, weighing amongst others. They are also necessary resources that assist farmers to circumvent many challenges farmers face and provide ease management of their animals.

There is one standard plan for all eleven (11) livestock handling facilities and they have been designed and constructed to include holding pens and a crush pen that is used for managing large and small stock during animal health demonstrations such as control of internal and external parasites or animal production demonstrations such as selecting breeding stock.

The spray-race facility will be used by farmers in these communities for control of external parasites in large and small stock. External parasites cause tick-borne diseases which result in cow and calf mortality; impact negatively on the growth and reproduction of beef cattle. A borehole will help these farmers to have access to water for the animals brought to the handling facility as well as to livestock in the broader community.

Speaking during the handing over of these facilities, MEC Desbo Mohono warned beneficiaries that the government will keep a close eye on making sure that this infrastructure is safe and not vandalised. “Gone are the times when the government used to give people things and not monitor them. Our people will be on the ground in making sure that the facilities we are handing over are kept in good conditions and most importantly are used correctly.

She emphasized there was still more that needed to be done to help farmers across the province. “There is still much that can be done to help our farmers particularly in the rural areas. Rural animal infrastructure is one of the key value interventions in the National Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan. Therefore, creating an enabling environment for farming will not only contribute to improved health of the animals but also to improved food security and creating more jobs. She went on and emphasized that animal healthcare is the backbone of livestock production, because failing to master it will not make anyone sustainable in the field.

“Now I am glad that today we are giving our people a mouthpiece and tool to use in being able to negotiate the prices when going for auctions. This gesture by the Department is to give dignity and return pride by using animals for our farmers to be able to put bread on their table,” MEC Mohono concluded.

One of the beneficiaries George Branden from Rietspruit welcomed the gesture by the department. “We are very happy to be amongst the first farmers to receive this most important infrastructure from the department. We want to thank the department for everything they have done for us today,” said Branden. Elizabeth Modise, a beneficiary from Moretele area also thanked the department. “We want to thank our government, particularly the department of agriculture and Rural Development in the Province for everything they have done for us. We are really grateful for the help,” Modise expressed.

All eleven handling facilities handed over today by MEC Desbo Mohono are equipped with holding pens, crush pens, spray race and boreholes to provide water. She said the initiative is not a once off thing but it will be rolled out to other districts.

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
Tel: +27 (18) 389 5719/5684
Fax: +27(18) 384 4571
E-mail:Esetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Directorate:
Communication Services
AgriCentre Building
Cnr. Dr. James Moroka and
Stadium Rd
Private Bag X2039, Mmabatho 2735

MEDIA STATEMENT
Att : ALL EDITORS
Media Houses

Date: Wednesday, 23 March 2022

Mahikeng- Following a media statement released by Minister Thoko Didiza confirming the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the province, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development hereby further confirms that this outbreak has affected farms in JB Marks Local Municipality.The affected farms have been placed under quarantine. The conditions of the quarantine are that there will be no movement of animals into, through, and from the affected farms. The objective of the quarantine is to curb and prevent the spread of the disease through the movement of infected animals to areas that are not infected.

Foot and Mouth Disease is a viral disease that causes blisters and sores in the hooves, mouth, and dental pad of cloven-hoofed animals. It is not contagious to humans.

Vaccination for Foot and Mouth Disease in South Africa is strictly regulated by the government. Only with approval from the Director of Animal Health,the use of vaccines without authorization can result in vaccinated animals testing positive and being classified as infected resulting in further measures being imposed on the farm.
All vaccines that are used for this purpose need to be registered and authorized for such purpose and as such, they are only in the hands of government officials. In the North West, vaccination of cattle and pigs against Foot and Mouth Disease is not permitted and is therefore illegal. The sale of such vaccines is also illegal.

The Department is warning farmers againstacceptingthe sale or FMD vaccine of their animals as that would result in their animals being incorrectly diagnosed as positive whilst they are not. Farmers are advised to inform any local State Veterinary office should they be approached with a sale of Foot and Mouth vaccines that are not registered.

All farmers, livestock owners, members of industry and are urged to use caution when sourcing cattle,ensure that you know the health of the animals you are investing in and where possible, seeka health attestation from the seller’s veterinarian confirming the health status of the animals you are buying.
Should any suspicious clinical symptoms (salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping, or hoof lesions) beseen, they should be reported to the local State Veterinarian immediately and such animals must not bemoved under any circumstances.

For more information contact Dr. Langa Madyibi on 018 3989 5102/71 854 2016

## ends ##
Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: MsEmeldaSetlhako
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

Mahikeng-MEC Desbo Mohono of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West Province will on Wednesday, 23 March 2022 hand over livestock handling facilities to eleven farming communities in the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality. This is another effort by the department to assist livestock farmers in the rural areas with the most necessary resource that would assist them to circumvent many challenges and provide ease management of livestock.Management practices such as artificial insemination, castration, inoculation, dehorning and weighing have increased a need for handling facilities in communities.

Rural Animals infrastructure is highlighted as one of the key value interventions in the National Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan. Therefore, creating an enabling environment for farming will not only contribute to improvedhealth of theanimals but also to improved food security and creating more jobs through improved growth of livestock and more animal products becoming available to beneficiaries in terms of meat and milk.

Members of the media are therefore invited to cover this important event which is scheduled to take place as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 23 March 2022 Time: 10h00am
Venue : Reitspruit Farm, Bojanala Platinum District
Tel: +27 (18) 389 5719/5684
Fax: +27(18) 384 4571
E-mail:Esetlhako@nwpg.gov.za

DIRECTORATE: COMMUNICATION SERVICES
AgriCentre Building Cnr. Dr. James Morokaand Stadium Rd Private Bag X2039, Mmabatho 2735
Issued by Communication Services Directorate Enquiries: MsEmeldaSetlhako
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

MEDIA STATEMENT Thursday, 10 March 2022

Att: Editors All Journalists All media houses

The Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development held a one-day career exhibition for agricultural secondary schools in North West at the Taung Agricultural College. AgriSETA is an organisation required to develop skills within the agricultural sector so that learners are able to benefit from its activities. The purpose of the event was to encourage young people to consider agriculture as a career, share opportunities in the sector and teach them on ways they can take to make a living within the industry. AgriSETA Head of Marketing Mandy Rutgers said in her address to the estimated 400 learners that, the Skills Development Plan that emanates from the National Development Plan is being prioritised by all SETAs by means of sharing bursaries, skills development and knowledge of careers in agriculture among the youth as they have the potential of taking the sector to new heights. The Noord-Wes Koporasie, MICTSETA, EW SETA, Citrus Academy, National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development were amongst the exhibitors that were displaying and partaking in the information sharing sessions to which Tumiso Sempe (18) from a participant from Marubising Secondary School in Cokonyane acknowledged the importance of.

“The exhibition was an eye-opening experience that afforded me the opportunity of learning about different careers in the agricultural sector. I am interested in pursuing studies in Animal Production or Land Surveying at the University of Cape Town upon my matric completion. These are careers I did not know about prior to the exhibition and I am now aware of the immense contribution each of them have in the industry. My studies will also enable me to impart knowledge on our communities about a lot of things in regards to agriculture,” said Tumiso. Tselaathuto Secondary School from Lower Majakgoro in Itireleng was one of the several well represented schools at the Taung Agricultural College. The learner from this school energised Itumeleng Seeqela (19) expressed gratitude at the efforts made by the exhibitors to answer in detail questions learners had about various careers. He stated that he learned so much from the event. “My interest in being a Veterinarian has been evoked as I have a great love for animals; especially Rhinos which we know are an endangered species due to poaching. I’ve also become conscious of the fact that there aren’t as many black Vets in the country thus I’d like to follow this career path to show young people from my village that it is possible to achieve anything we dream of as black people in South Africa” said the grade twelve (12) learner.

Northern Cape schools also saw prospect in having their learners present. Mr Samuel Ndluzela, a grade eleven (11) teacher from the Northern Cape Agricultural High School in Jan Kemp had his Agricultural Practices and Technology pupils at the event. “Learners received valuable information that we as teachers are not able to share as we may have limited information about some of these careers in agriculture and related industries. I am happy to see so any learners being inquisitive and visiting all the stalls even though the suggestion was to target what they are interested in. This is a beneficial experience for all and I hope that they will share with their peers about the different job opportunities they learned about today” said Mr Ndluzela.

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/dard

Twitter: @nwpg _dard