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The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with Working on Fire (WOF), hosted a certification ceremony for sixty (60) farmers who completed a Basic Wildland Firefighting course, which is at NQF level one.

The efforts to equip farmers with the necessary skills to control wildfires and prevent potential property losses come as a mitigation strategy to avoid the consequences of the September 2023 wildfires that ravaged crops, grazing land and livestock.

The first group of thirty (30) trainees were formally awarded competence certificates at Ganyesa on Tuesday, 9 July while the other 30 received their certificates in Morokweng on Wednesday 10th. The two-day ceremony also sought to strengthen the existing relationship between the trained and untrained farmers, communities and the Department by sharing valuable information that can be put into practice during the wildfire season, which started in June and will end in October.

Working on Fire general manager, Nolvuyo Mashologu congratulated trainees for their persistence and emphasized the need for more wildfire awareness campaigns. “The four days of training were quite hectic, from theoretical lessons to practical exercises. We are happy to have trained committed individuals in this area as it is the most susceptible to wildfires compared to other areas in the province. Furthermore, encourage all farmers to join their local Fire Protection Associations (FPA) for increased awareness regarding fire risks in their area and
to receive first responses during fires”, she said.

Farmers were handed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and ten (10) fire beaters as a donation from WOF to utilize during fire emergencies at their respective farms. Moreover, the 60 farmers demonstrated some firefighting techniques using the fire beaters to effectively control
and extinguish fire in an open area such as a veld.

Speaking to two Ganyesa-based farmers, Molebogeng Pitorosi and Karabo Tokonyane, who were victims of last year’s wildfires, said they knew little about the basic techniques of putting out the fire before firefighting training. “Last year September we experienced wildfire which
resulted in us losing some parts of our farms and also we lost a fellow farmer who succumbed to smoke inhalation. So we’re grateful to the Department for offering us this training, and we’re glad to share the knowledge with other farmers and communities”, said Tokonyane.

Mahikeng- The North-West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is set to roll out the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) project for cattle. Commonly known as Artificial Insemination, ART will benefit farmers across the province reaching 4000 heads of cattle over a period of 5 years. This means 800 breeding females would be inseminated per year beginning with the current financial year. MEC Desbo Mohono made this announcement during the hosting of ART Farmers’ Day at Potchefstroom College of Agriculture held on 16 May 2024.

ART is a livestock improvement initiative aimed at prioritizing the growth rate, fertility, and milk production as breeding objectives. This will be achieved by empowering previously disadvantaged farmers through this innovative support to assist them to optimally produce livestock (beef cattle for now) with the required quality and genetics to be able to compete in the commercial value chain. An integrated development approach will be encouraged from all stakeholders, as well as
Public/Private sector participation.

With this rollout, the Department has already received a donation of a collective 700 semen straws. 500 straws were from one Ventersdorp-based Stud Breeder, Mr Regomoditswe Malao and 200 straws from Mr Joel Nkuna of Nkunzi Genetics. This means the Department will roll out the
programme well with the support of many existing players.

MEC Desbo Mohono, as she addressed the farmers, spoke about the potential that the province has especially with beef production. She said she believes that the North-West should be ranked highest as she has seen many renowned beef producers in the province. She believes that ART will improve beef production in the province and position local farmers as key players in the industry. “So, the intention with this programme is simply to improve livestock. We have brought many specialists here so that they can share information with all of us on the potential of ART but also on the key demands. We need to get results so our preparation should be on par,” MEC emphasised.

She appreciated the donors who have come forward to ensure that the program is realised. She encouraged other commercial farmers to join in and assist others. MEC further encouraged farmers to work together. She said the greatest achievement would be in collaborations with those who have been doing ART before.

MEC Mohono said although the programme is not new in the province. It was time for the province to relook into their beef production potential and replan how it would compete in the market. The Livestock Improvement project was initiated and started by Bojanala Platinum District, during the financial year 2020/2021. The project has thus far inseminated 190 breeding animals and 10 embryo implants from 11 farmers. Of the inseminated farms three participants are from the communal farming community.

The Departmental Extension and Advisory Services officers will assist in identifying interested farmers to participate in ART. The farmers will need to meet set requirements which include availability of water, crush pens, availability of grazing land and others.
Photos:
676A9295: Farmers across the province came through to learn more about ART process
676A9267: MEC Desbo Mohono and HoD Thupi Mokgatla observing practical demonstration of
ART
676A9269: Industry expects led by Dr Masindi Mphaphati of the Agricultural Research Council,
preparing equipment during ART practical demonstration.
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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/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg_dard

Potchefstroom – In an effort to bridge the gap between the commercial, emerging and subsistence farmers, MEC Desbo Mohono of the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development together with the Head of Department, Mr Thupi Mokhatla on Friday, 26 April 2024 handed over agricultural mechanization to Mr Daniel Soya in Goedgevonden Village in JB Marks Local Municipality as part of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme Thuntsa Lerole.

The mechanization which includes a tractor, planter and harvester amongst others, is one way of addressing food insecurity in the North West Province. The use of agricultural mechanization is significant for smallholder farmers because it advances production efficiency, reassures large-scale production, and increases the quality of farm produce.

MEC is committed in ensuring that farmers have access to contemporary agriculture mechanization that would enhance their productivity in this competitive environment. “I want to maximize and increase the potential net worth of the agriculture sector and improve its contribution to the agricultural sector,” said Mohono.

To contribute towards achieving provincial priorities, mechanization encourages large-scale production and enhances the quality of farm produce from smallholder.

HoD further reiterated that without proper mechanization, the development of the sector with smallholder black farmers as meaningful participants in the economy will be greatly affected, thus farmers will be compelled to change land use from agriculture to other lucrative non-agricultural uses. “The implements were one way to address food insecurity, the mechanization would increase household food production,” emphasized Mokhatla.

Speaking to the mechanization beneficiary and soybean producer, Mr Daniel Soya said: “I am very grateful to the department as the cost of mechanization was not affordable and they contributed with mechanization so that I can grow my own produce and maximize food security,” exclaimed Soya.

Agricultural mechanization has significantly aided the enhancement of the farming community in the overall economic upliftment. The usage of agricultural mechanization by smallholder farmers has produced an increase in farm returns than those with no agricultural mechanization usage.

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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

Ventersdorp – MEC Desbo Mohono has handed over a Cattle System designed to identify a herd’s trend and performance to Regomoditswe Malao, an award winning Boran stud breeder from Boschkop near Ventersdorp. The handover event was held on Wednesday, 10 April 2024 at the farmer’s area.

The Cattle System is used to develop, to identify, record and monitor the development, nutrition and health history of cattle through ear tag tracing. This makes recording, analysing and predicting illness, behaviour and body condition easier for farmers. A computer application connected to the system collects data such as weight, breeding history and age. This information is used to create a comprehensive database of the farms livestock which identifies trends in the herd’s performance and assist farmers in making informed decisions about management of their livestock.

Malao also received twenty-five (25) pregnant boran herd, a cattle weight scale, manure spreader, feed mixer, 4 row planter, handling facility that can accommodate a hundred (100) cattle, sighting and drilling of borehole through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP).

Thrilled with the immense support the department provided to Maloa Boran Stud, Regomoditswe appreciated the department’s extension and advisory services for the remarkable work executed throughout the project’s development. “We have walked this long journey together and everyone was patient despite the challenges we faced. We are here to witness the exceptional efforts that were put into this project without fail. The dedication shown by MEC Mohono and her team in developing cattle farmers is highly valued and will definitely reap the expected outcomes of commercializing black farmers in the province,” said Regomoditswe.

Furthermore, the Department also handed over Thekiso Aquaculture Project. This project is operated by three beneficiaries received seven thousand (7000) Nile Tilapia fish, fish feed, seven ponds were constructed, a fully equipped solar system that supplies power to the ponds and a tunnel was installed.

The Klipgat based project has been functioning for two months since its completion. Kenalemang Thekiso said before the construction of the new ponds, the business partners used to grow their Tilapia from a small pond which they still use and supplied locals with the fish. “Now that we have ponds that house 1000 fish each, we will be able to expand our market as the fish is in high demand. It takes approximately six months for the fish to grow meaning we will have to grow the fish in phases so that we have constant supply for the ever-growing market,” she said.

The second phase of the aquaponics project will involve planting vegetables which will be nourished by the fish pond water which is rich in beneficial bacteria and other nutrients that promote healthy plants.

MEC Mohono concluded the handover by encouraging both farmers to partner with other agripreneurs to ensure the growth and sustainability of their businesses. She said that it was also important for farmers to invest in technology that will simplify data collection, analysis and recording of their livestock and other produce that they have on their farms. “We have demonstrated with the Malao Boran and Thekiso project that technology is reshaping the future of agriculture and making farms more efficient. Smart farming, should be prioritised by our black farmers and we commit as a department to continue supporting those that show dedication and potential to become commercial and mega farmers,” enlightened Mohono.

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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- MEC Desbo Mohono of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North-West Province has handed over forty-five (45) pregnant Bonsmara cattle and two (bulls) to a farmer Tshidi Tshwagong during the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme – Thuntsha
Lerole held in Tlhabane, Rustenburg on Friday, 15 March 2024. Tswagong’s farm is in Boshoek area and is leased from the Royal Bafokeng Administration houses. In total Tshwagong has a hundred and eighty (180) Bonsmaras and Brahmans on this 1400-hectare farm.

The Department has also assisted the farmer with a 10km fence, feed, and repaired the farm’s handling facility. Tshwagong said he plans on gradually increasing his breeding stock up to full capacity of the farm and introducing weaner backgrounding on the farm where weaners will be fattened to the desired live mass before being sold.

Another farmer, Khumo Mosathupa who owns Blu Agrifuxion Farm received 103 commercial boer goats for breeding. The Department assisted Khumo with 5km of fencing material and the construction of a handling facility.

Khumo and Tshidi who both hail from the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality commended MEC Desbo Mohono, the Departmental officials, and the Thuntsa Lerole pioneers for their commitment to bringing services closer to the communities. “The department’s assistance has contributed immensely to the day-to-day operations of the farm. As for the goats I am very pleased and I am expecting a number of them to give birth in a couple weeks,” said Mosathupa.

These farmers sell their livestock to various markets across the district and province, they have full-time employees and are receiving mentorship from like-farmers in the province. Speaking after the handover ceremony of these livestock, MEC Desbo Mohono commended farmers from this region for working together. “I appreciate the unity and commitment that our farmers are portraying in ensuring that they grow together and assisting new entrants in the sector. They should continue working together to expand their operations by collaborating with farmers who are already exporting their produce. I want to see all farmers supported by the Department succeed and commercialise to grow the province’s Growth Domestic Product (GDP) and reduce unemployment by creating
employment,” stated Mohono.

Meanwhile, garden tools, seedlings, and a shade net were handed over to RaitsholetsaDisability Centre in Tlhabane Township.

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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/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg_dard