Mahikeng – A firm foundation is set to be laid in the North West agricultural sector, as MEC Mohono leads the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the sixth administration. In delivering the departmental Policy and Budget Vote Speech for 2019/20, on 24 July 2019 at the North West Provincial Legislature, MEC Mohono emphasised the need to close the gap in delivery of agricultural and rural development efforts in the province. Mohono has committed to utilise the over R1, 1 billion budget to ensure that people’s lives are touched and transformed. With over R421 million, the pace of farmer support and development programme is set to change for better. With this allocation to department will robustly implement programmes including food security, crop massification and livestock improvement. Household Food Security will reach out to 2400 needy and food insecure households through provision of the agricultural packages. “A crop production plan is being rolled-out to plant 20 000 hectares of grains across the province during this season, whilst also diversifying to cotton & barley, and
further looking into other perennial crops such as olives and peacan nuts,” Mohono further elaborated.
The year under review will also see the introduction of goat massification programme. This is an initiative meant to see much investment in goats as well as exportation efforts.
In order to intensify the call for agricultural sector development and investment, the department will intensify efforts of expansion to agro-processing. “A turn-around plan in collaboration with Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) to complete fourteen (14) multi-year Agro-Processing projects is in process. Other plans include creation of partnership opportunities with the City of Matlosana Local Municipality Fresh Produce Market and relocation of Mogwase Farmers Market to Madibeng Municipality given the comparative advantage of horticulture,” Mohono added. Further investment is set to be made on a Dairy Processing Plant in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, Poultry Hatchery in Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Feed-mill in Dr Kenneth Kaunda through blended funding.
The department will as part of conversation with stakeholders, host the Provincial Summit on Agriculture in October 2019 to map out opportunities for job creation and economic transformation in Agriculture through identified funding source from United Nations.
MEC Mohono has declared her unwavering efforts towards effective collaboration on delivery of the mandate of the department as well as to ensure growth and transformation of the sector.
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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