MEDIA STATEMENT
Att: All Editors
All Journalists
Date:Fri day, 28 October 2022
DEVONDALE – The MEC for North-West Department Agriculture and Rural Development (NWDARD) has called on all the government role-players to work together to ensure that families do not go to bed hungry and there is food security. Mohono was delivering the keynote address during the commemoration of the Provincial World Food Day (WFD) at Devondale village near Vryburg on 27 October 2022. The Devondale celebration marked the 11th year since the NWDARD heeded the call of the Food and Organisation (FAO)’s 1979 declaration of October 16 as World Food Day. The Department embraces WFD as an initiative to discuss issues pertaining to poverty, hunger and food security and to advance solutions thereof.
As a key deliverable of the Department, Mohono said the fight and a win against hunger needed a coordinated effort. She appreciated that many stakeholders came together for the 2022 commemoration. She felt that efforts towards food security need to be intensified as it is everyone’s business.
Together with the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Naledi Local Municipality and the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, NWDARD delivered and array of food security projects with an aim of fighting hunger in the 500 households’ poverty-stricken Devondale area. Amongst others, food gardens were planted for schools, community organisations and individual households. The department handed over production inputs including indigenous chickens, seedlings and fertilizers as well as 10 goats for 10 subsistence farmers. In addition, the Department donated 30 farmers across the province with one bull each to improve their livestock.
With a theme: “ Leave No One behind”, MEC Mohono said it was imperative that people get food irrespective of their location. She said the economic environment was getting tougher and agriculture which depend on land must be brought to life in order to benefit locals. She encouraged the community members to use their yards to start gardens and sell their produce. “As I was going through the area and planting, I realised that many of the families have started gardens and it give me much pleasure because agriculture is one of the most resistant sectors and we cannot never go wrong when we do that,” MEC Mohono said. She acknowledged the skills of the residents of Devondale in farming as many of them are either coming from that background and some still there. She urged them to use their skills to their advantage and assist government to fight hunger. MEC Mohono urged the beneficiaries to desists from selling inputs as soon as they receive it but to be patient as they will see their projects growth in a long run. “The Department is giving you a start-up but we would like to see you growing your businesses,” she pleaded.
According to FAO, food security exists when all people at all times have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their needs and food preference for an active health life. The commemoration of World Food Day therefore gives platform for participation of rural communities and to encourage a diversified agricultural production to improve food nutrition and safety nets.
Amongst the recipients, 48-year-old Rebecca Moilakgotla said the government’s donation of 10 goats seems like an endorsement of her farming path. The mother of 2 children said she currently has a herd of about 23 goats. Although it was not easy to feed, she has made sure that she personally shepherd it so that it can grow. “I am glad that the Department sees my good effort and now my herd has been increased. I have always wished that I could see and instant increase and with this donation, this is a dream come true,” said the elated Moilakgotla. As soon as she sees a steady growth, Moilakgotla plans to formally generate and income by selling her produce at auctions.
The 2022 WFD was attended by amongst others the NWDARD Head of Department, Mr Thupi Mokhatla and senior management members, representatives from Dr RSM District and Naledi Local Municipalities, sister departments including the North-West Department of Social Development, North-West Department of Economic Development, Conservation and Tourism and the Office of the Premier.
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Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
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Tel: 018 389 5684
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