AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT IN NORTH WEST GRADUALLY REACHES MORE AND MORE
EMERGING WOMEN FARMERS
Mahikeng- Government interventions that address the specific needs of women farmers are
key to mitigate the current economic situation and to alleviate existing gender inequalities
particularly in the agricultural sector. This was said by MEC Desbo Mohono of Agriculture and
Rural Development in the North West Province on Friday, 27 August 2021 w hen she was officially
handing over the LoveGreens Agricultural project to its founders in Vlakfontein Farm outside
Koster town.
The LoveGreens Project is a 100% percent black
female owned agricultural business focusing
on planting and supply of fresh g reens to the local market as well as to the neighboring province
of Gauteng.
The business was established in 2016 and is run by two dedicated women farmers; Yedwa and
Zamampembe Simelane. The project which is now going to be known as the Charlotte Maxeke
Lovegreens Project was initially supported by the department in the 2018/19 fiscal year.
With the f
unds, the project received 1ha shade net for their greens, irrigation system, cold room,
steel container, mobile freezer, water tanks, security fence, gener ator and many other
agricultural inputs for sustainability purposes.
Since the business is operating from a rural area, it has created job opportunities for the locals
and it has a potential of providing more reliable employment contracts for even more pe ople
from the surrounding areas.
This project is one of many female owned agricultural ventures in the province that have been
supported by the government. Not so long ago, female cattle farmers in the province received
bulls from the government to improv e their herds.
Tel: +27 (18) 389 5719/5684
Fax: +27(18) 384 4571
E-mail:Esetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Communication Services Directorate
AgriCentre Building
Cnr. Dr. James Morokaand
Stadium Rd
Private Bag X2039, Mmabatho 2735
MEC Mohono expressed delight with the manner in which beneficiaries in general and
MEC Mohono expressed delight with the manner in which beneficiaries in general and agricultural project owners are showing dedication in growing their grafts and determination to agricultural project owners are showing dedication in growing their grafts and determination to establish integrated sustainable businesses.establish integrated sustainable businesses.
“For gover
“For government, in particular our department of Agriculture and Rural Development, we are nment, in particular our department of Agriculture and Rural Development, we are proud of the progress we have made thus far concerning women empowerment in the sector.proud of the progress we have made thus far concerning women empowerment in the sector.
“We have afforded access to economic activities for women and youth in Agriculture and
“We have afforded access to economic activities for women and youth in Agriculture and with with nutritious food and land reform platforms. These are just some of the first steps in our nutritious food and land reform platforms. These are just some of the first steps in our Department’s attack on poverty which weighs so heavily on women in particular,” MEC Mohono Department’s attack on poverty which weighs so heavily on women in particular,” MEC Mohono said.said.
She further went on to challenge the women involved in agricult
She further went on to challenge the women involved in agriculture and said the task now for ure and said the task now for them is to seize the opportunities provided by the latest developments, so that they can indeed them is to seize the opportunities provided by the latest developments, so that they can indeed play their rightful role in transforming their communities in generating sustained economic play their rightful role in transforming their communities in generating sustained economic growth and reconstruction development.growth and reconstruction development.
The two beneficiaries welcomed the support and thanked the department. Yedwa said the inputs
The two beneficiaries welcomed the support and thanked the department. Yedwa said the inputs will go a long way into ensuring that the business continues to operate and employ locals to will go a long way into ensuring that the business continues to operate and employ locals to tackle the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemploymenttackle the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment..
At the beginning of this financial year, MEC Desbo Mohono committed that the department will
At the beginning of this financial year, MEC Desbo Mohono committed that the department will increase support to female owned agricultural projects in the province to fight the high levels of increase support to female owned agricultural projects in the province to fight the high levels of unemployment and to contribute to the food security programmeunemployment and to contribute to the food security programme..
For those who are already involved in agriculture and in need of any kind of agricultural support,
For those who are already involved in agriculture and in need of any kind of agricultural support, are encouraged to enquire with the nearest agricultural office. are encouraged to enquire with the nearest agricultural office.
Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684/ Cell: 060 745 402
Tel: 018 389 5684/ Cell: 060 745 40200
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
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Twitter: @nwpg _dard
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