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The food security plenarysession held at the Potchefstroom Agricultural College yielded successful multi-disciplinary discussions with various stakeholders and key role-players in the agri-sector to develop strategies that will address food insecurity. The two day session also served as a platform for sharing research findings and innovative farming techniques with farmers who intend to collaborate with government and the private sector to work towards sustainable supply of nutritious food in the province.

Presentationsfrom the five strategic plans included topics on establishing linkages between provincial departments for food security strategies; strategy for school, community and food gardens; identifying and streamlining support for agricultural enterprises; and enhancing production through alignments with technologiesand enterprise development for smallholder farmers.

In attendance was North West University Professor from the School of Agricultural Sciences,Simon Letsoalo who extensively spoke on “The Importance of Directed Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Agricultural”. Letsoalo highlighted a challenge faced by extension and advisory services practitioners who are tasked with executing duties outside of their scope. He said that it was imperative that crop or livestock advisorsfocus solely on their specialisation to maximise production for farmers.

In attendance was North West University Professor from the School of Agricultural Sciences,Simon Letsoalo who extensively spoke on “The Importance of Directed Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Agricultural”. Letsoalo highlighted a challenge faced by extension and advisory services practitioners who are tasked with executing duties outside of their scope. He said that it was imperative that crop or livestock advisorsfocus solely on their specialisation to maximise production for farmers.

Gomolemo Motitswane, a female farmer from Kagisano-Molopo Municipality said farmers felt that the session was most resourceful. “The sessions were very informative; they were focused on the future of agriculture. It’s a pity that at times as farmers, we do not get implement what we learn from these types of workshops. However, the department should also implement Professor Letsoalo’s recommendation of directed extension services and provide farmers with continuous mentorship and monitoring in order to ensure that they yield quality produce and expand their businesses” said Gomolemo.

Award-winning young farmer, Pheko Mofokeng from Phaphamang Environmental Organisation has grown his agri-business in leaps and bounds and has been involved in mentoring young agriculture graduates on his farm, encouraged those passionate about agriculture to commit to ensuring that food insecurity is alleviated through their efforts and love for the sector. “Food insecurity cannot only be a government problem. It is important that we skill and impart knowledge on young people so that they are also able to contribute to tackling the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality through agriculture,” he quipped.

Renewal energy, technology, agriculture and food security were among the attention-drawing presentations that were discussed in length by the collective. Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Vice Chancellor, Dr Jespar Rees said that farmers should identify opportunities in agriculture that have high growth potential and consider the use of appropriate scale mechanisation and automation to improve production, simplify harvesting, agro-processing and packaging.
Representatives from other institutions such as the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Italian Embassy, National Department of Social Development, FarmPin and SABIA contributed to the workshop and have vowed to work together with the department towards a common goal of addressing food insecurity, supporting farmers and ensuring that household quality nutrition is realised through agriculture.

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
Att : ALL EDITORS
Media Houses
Date: Friday, 21 February 2020

MEC MOHONO VOWS TO CONTINUE WITH FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES

Marikana – The North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono has vowed to continue to support indigent households in the North West province. Mohono was speaking at Wonderkop, Marikana in Bojanala Platinum District yesterday, 19 February 2020 where food security projects where handed to needy households within the area as part of the Marikana Food security outreach programme.

Speaking to the community during the outreach, MEC Mohono said the intensification of food security activities in the province was necessary. “We have families in our province where people go to bed without eating. This explains the position of the province; in that we are food insecure. This also tells us that we need to go all out to look for these families and to empower them to produce food. As a Department, I am not here to provide food parcels, but I stand as enabler for you to produce your food,” she emphasized.

At least 100 indigent families have been identified in the area prompting MEC to pronounce her intention to return to the area and for the Department to seek ways to empower them. MEC reiterated that it was going to be easy for a tailored support once the families were identified. She also highlighted that she was comfortable about the availability of water in the area which was going to make it easy for the projects to flourish.
Of those identified, some beneficiaries were handed over projects immediately. Koko Rebecca Masimong of Dikhibidung Section received vegetable seedling, garden tools and fruit trees. The 77 year old mother of three unemployed children was ready to roll her sleeves and work in garden as her inputs were delivered. Agricultural activities were not new to the elder who was found packing chilies which she plants and sells to nearby households.

Expressing her gratitude, Koko Masimong said she was happy that MEC Mohono came in person to visit families. “I am happy and I begin to see that our government cares for the people. I did not think that people like us can be visited by people from higher positions,” she said griming. Masimong said the garden will grow as she has made it the responsibility of everyone in the family. “The survival of the family has been always been a collective effort, she said.
More other families in Wonderkop also received garden seedlings, garden tools, fruit trees and five families received 20 indigenous each bringing the total number of chickens delivered to beneficiaries.

The Acting Head of Department, Mr Dipepeneneng Serage who was also part of the outreach said the Departmental come back would be to relook into more support as he had identified the need in some projects during the walkabout. Serage said the Department was committed to ensure sustainability of the empowerment efforts through participation and assistance of agricultural advisors.
As part of fulfilling the multi-sectoral approach stance and as part of further stimulating agricultural production in the marginalised areas through cooperation and collaborations with other relevant stakeholders, the Marikana Food security outreach programme saw a full support of the local businesses including Northam Eiland Platinum Mine as well as Sibanye Stillwater. Both Institutions pledged support to the agricultural initiatives support in the area.

Food security also sits high on the province’s developmental agenda with North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development prioritising it and its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product. Following the last year pronounciation of the North West province in the last position of Food Security within the country, MEC Mohono committed her Department to heighten public awareness on the Sustainable Development Goals and the way in which they would address issues of poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
2318 – MEC Desbo Mohono with 77 year-old Koko Rebecca Masimong together checking Koko’s established garden
2522 – MEC Desbo Mohono and Acting HoD, Mr Dipepeneng Serage on a walkabout at households in Marikana. The Department handed over food security projects to households in the area.

Issued by:
Communication Services Directorate

Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhakories: Ms Emelda Setlhako

Tel: 018 389 5684018 389 5684/ / Cell: Cell: 060 745 4020060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.zaESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg _dard

KLERKSDORP-The first ever International Agricultural Investment Summit organised by the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in partnership with the Global Economist Forum (GEF) has been described by several delegates as a huge success. This first of its kind summit was held in Klerksdorp last week from the 12th-13th of December 2019.

The objective of the summit was amongst others to promote investment into the field of agriculture development, promote agricultural entrepreneurship in order to boost the contribution made by this sector to the domestic economy, address and encourage awareness of agriculture in a broader spectrum as well as to introduce new dimensions in rural development and sustainable agriculture which will ultimately contribute in making the North West Province a revered food basket.

The summit also discussed agricultural investment opportunities, funding mechanisms, recent innovations and trends in the field of agriculture; managerial practices; concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and related solutions adopted in promoting and strengthening investments.

In her opening address, MEC Desbo Mohono of Agriculture and Rural Development said the North West Province has abundant private, state and communal land resource and it must be utilised to benefit the residents of the province.

“We feel that there is a lot that can be done to grow the agricultural sector in the province. Therefore with this first international summit, we want to explore and find creative ways to deal with the current and future challenges in this very sector, we are also encouraging farmers in the province to work together to ensure that we utilize all the available farming land in the province to ensure that the residents of North West Province will not be food insecure through investment opportunities created by the summit.

On behalf of the Provincial government, North West Premier Tebogo Job Mokgoro assured delegates that the summit has government support. He reminded the gathering that agriculture remain the main contributor to job creation.

In his address, Premier Mokgoro emphasised that the province has comparative edge that has not yet been explored over the past few years and reiterated that it must be done for the benefit of North West residents.

Amongst others, the following were identified by the summit as investment opportunities and commodities of interest in the North West Province: cotton; dry beans; groundnuts; sunflower; yellow maize; peacan nuts; lucerne, beef; goats and poultry to mention just few.

Part of strategic intervention by the department will include developing integrated implementation programmes supported by value chain planning, strengthening coordination towards catalytic programmes and projects for investment by both private and public sector and redesign the funding support mechanism; enhance transformation in skills development, market access and infrastructure development.

The last day of the summit saw delegates of government and of GEF committing to work together to support farmers. Government delegates vowed to make land available to farmers for food production and avail requisite human capital to support the cause.

GEF on the other hand has committed to conduct feasibility and viability studies for the success of the initiative, provide requisite technical expertise, provide associated funding and funding mechanisms, unlock and create sustainable markets access, monitor, evaluate and develop support interventions for a minimum duration of two years. The Global Economist Forum is a general consultative member organization of the United Nations (UN). One of the key priorities of GEF is to provide support to different countries with the development of agriculture in designated regions by utilizing and cultivating lands through the help of trained agriculturalists, mainly from the South Asia.

Dr Nancy De Sousa, the Vice President of the Global Economist Forum (GEF) said her organization is proud to partner with the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on this initiative which is geared at changing the lives of ordinary citizens for better.
She praised the Department for organising such an important summit and said the GEF is equally willing to assist with expertise to ensure that the vision of a food secure North West Province is realised.
Sindi Mzamu President of the Global Business Women Circle said her organisation is also proud to have been part of the summit and she is happy with the outcome of the summit.
“I think it went exceptionally well and we are very supportive of what the North West Province is trying to do with this summit. It is a much-needed initiative which will assist farmers to produce more food and boost the economy of the region and of the country,” Mzamu said.
Delegates included farmer unions, farmers, agri-businesses, international delegates, senior government administrators as well as leaders of provincial government.
The second international summit will be held next year where progress on commitments made during the first summit will be reviewed.

Mahikeng – The North West Provincial Government through the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD) in its endeavour to foster and/or establish possible investment partnerships and collaborations within the Agricultural Sector will be hosting its 1st International Agricultural Investment Summit jointly with the Global Economist Forum (GEF).

The aim of the summit is to address and encourage awareness of agriculture in a broader spectrum; to introduce new dimensions in rural development and sustainable agriculture as well as to promote Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility; to explore preparation of land to cultivate new types of crops as well as establishment of a vibrant economy that will immensely contribute to making the North West Province a revered food basket.

Following her commitment to host an Agricultural Investment Summit made during the 2019/2020 Departmental Budget Speech Vote, MEC Desbo Mohono will host international and local delegates across all spheres of government including private entities on a two day programme that will focus on changes in the agricultural production; managerial practices; recent innovations, trends, concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and related solutions adopted in promoting and strengthening investments in the field of agricultural development.

The Global Economist Forum is a general consultative member organization of the United Nations (UN). One of the key priorities of GEF is to provide support to different countries with the development of agriculture in designated regions by utilizing and cultivating lands through the help of trained agriculturalists, mainly from the South Asia. It is on this basis that the Forum intents to develop and transform the abundant available land in South Africa to be the bread basket which will benefit the South African citizens and most importantly the people of the North West Province, as the host.

The Summit has been scheduled as follows:
 DATE: Thursday, 12 and Friday, 13 December 2019
 TIME: 08h00 am daily
 VENUE: Rio Casino & Convention Centre, Klerksdorp, City of Matlosana Local Municipality
Members of the media are invited to cover this important initiative.
RSVP: Tsholofelo Dintwe on 018 389 5768/083 5767 655 or email: tsholofelod@nwpg.gov.za by Monday, 09 December 2019 at 12h00.

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

Limpopo province diagnosed a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Molemole Local Municipality on the 01st of November 2019. This outbreak occurred in the free FMD zone of the country. The outbreak was recognized and confirmed in eight (8) sites which include feedlots, abattoirs, and speculators and on farms.

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.

The previous outbreak that happened in Vhembe in Limpopo in January costed the export status of the country and resulted in a series of negotiations with South Africa’s trading partners to re-establish trade with the country.

A team from the industry and the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development met and crafted a national strategy for control of the disease. It was realized that congregation of animals contributes greatly to the risk of spreading the disease. For that reason the National Director of Animal Health issued a media statement after consultation with the livestock industry on the 14th November suspending all live auctions in the Northern provinces which includes Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West with immediate effect. Minister Thoko Didiza of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform is expected to gazette the suspension in due course. The message was however communicated to all stakeholders of the industry even ahead of the gazette exercise.

The Directorate Veterinary Services has the mandate to conduct risk assessment on biological risk of diseases and take appropriate action under the Animal Diseases Act as guided by OIE prescripts.
The rationale behind singling out of auctions came after assessment of the risks associated with it where animals congregate from different farms which increases the potential of transmitting the virus to a wider area where they are destined to go.

The Veterinary Services Directorate of the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) similarly made communication to the industry affected seeking to enforce the suspension of live auctions of cloven hoofed animals. There is unfortunately resistance to complying with this decision by the recipient industry. To be able to implement the decision, assistance from the law enforcement agencies was sought. The Department is currently in the process of taking legal action in order to arrive at implementing the protocol. The Directorate Veterinary Services is acting under the guidance of the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984 in assessing the risk of introducing the disease in the North West by enforcing the suspension of auctions of live cloven hoofed animals.

Farmers are 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 _dard

MEDIA INVITE Att: ALL EDITORS
ALL JOURNALISTS

Date: Wednesday, 13 November 2019

Mahikeng –The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has declared that the fight against food insecurity is its highest priority.
To tackle the challenge, MEC Desbo Mohono has since launched a massive provincial food security projects to enable people in the rural parts of North West Province whom are affected the most to overcome poverty and hunger.

Through this initiative, identified households and cooperatives receive agricultural projects such as, planting of vegetable backyard gardens, fruit trees, small stock farming as well as feed as starter kits so communities can seriously engage in agricultural activities and contribute to poverty reduction at household level and enhancing household income of rural communities.

Ganyesa, a village in Kagisano/Molopo Local Municipality is the next stop for the Department to host Food & Nutrition Security Poverty Reduction Intervention. Members of the media are therefore invited to cover this important government initiative aimed at combating poverty and hunger.

DATE: Monday, 18 November 2019
TIME: 10H00am
VENUE: Ganyesa, Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality

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

Phokeng-In response to high levels of food insecurities and as part of the drive to fight poverty and hunger amongst local communities, MEC Desbo Mohono of North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday, 28 October 2019 handed over garden inputs, planted various vegetable gardens and fruit trees in number of households and community centres in villages around Phokeng, Rustenburg.

Held under the theme “Addressing Poverty & Malnutrition: the plight of Rural Women in Agriculture”, the aim of the project was to improve food security, up-liftment of community projects and to empower vulnerable groups to start working the land and producing food.

Speaking during the handing over of these garden inputs, MEC Mohono said her department had a constitutional responsibility to use public funds to respond to the needs of the people by supporting them, especially rural women and communities to produce their own food and income through agriculture.

Mohono went on to say the implementation of that critical intervention was a sign that the government deeply cares about the wellbeing of the people in general, in particular vulnerable groups which includes rural women, elderly people and people living with disability.

“We are working closely with the Department of Social Development to improve the lives of our people and we will be on the ground to identify and assist those needy and deserving households.

“It is important that people realize they are their own liberators from poverty; and government can contribute and assist them in their efforts so that they become successful. There are difficulties but it is important that people produce food to sell to the markets; those who can’t produce must buy from producers so that our province can grow.

“When people produce their own food sufficiently and are able to access markets, we can say as department that we have done our part. Ours is to make sure that people use the land to produce their own food and trade to make money,” MEC Mohono said.

With regards to empowering of households, MEC Mohono reiterated that empowering households to be food secure restores dignity of every citizen hit by poverty.

“Our hope is that once we produce food in society, we restore dignity,” Mohono concluded.
Beneficiaries to these programmes welcomed the assistance from the Department in alleviating hunger and poverty in their areas.

Victory Christian Centre through its founder, Ms JeanneteMaithufi thanked MEC Desbo Mohono for giving them much needed garden tools and coming personally to see the centre’s efforts in trying change people’s lives for better.

Victory Christian Centre is situated in Phokeng and deals with young people with a history of drug and substance abuse as well as ex-convicts. When accepting the garden inputs on behalf of the centre, JeannetMaithufiwho is a church pastor said the tools came in handy as they will make their job easy to produce their own healthy food.

“We want to thank the department for everything they brought us. We will now be able to work this piece of land and produce more food as nutrition and addiction recovery work hand in hand,” Maithufi emphasised.

Ms NkeleTsholo of Tsholetsa Disability Centre; an institution caring for people living with disability in Tlhabane also welcomed MEC Desbo Mohono visit to their centre and thanked her for garden inputs and planting of it thereof.

Food security forms part of department’s key priorities. The programme, particularly household food security will be rolled out to other areas across the province to advance the living standards of the rural communities.

MEDIA ADVISORY
Att : ALL EDITORS
Media Houses

Date: Wednesday, 23 October 2019

Mahikeng – In recognition and celebration of senior citizens of the Province, MEC Desbo Mohono will on Monday, 28 October 2019 spend the day with older people, people with disability and women in agriculture in the North West Province.

MEC Mohono will use the day to acknowledge and highlight older person’s valuable contribution in society, encourage the public to care for elderly people and advocate for their protection, support and dignity. This day recognizes the role of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.

The theme is “Addressing Poverty & Malnutrition: the plight of Rural Women in Agriculture”.

Older people increasingly play a critical role in society through transmitting experience and knowledge, helping their families with caring responsibilities and increasing their participation in activities that promote healthy living.

With this programme the department seeks to co-ordinate capacity building and training for the communities, promote indigenous knowledge systems, promote sector social security and safety, facilitate a stronger cooperative relationship between government, the private sector and other role players in the sector, empowerment programme for older persons as well as advancing the work of the province in establishing a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights that seeks to improve the quality of life of all the citizens.

This commemoration has been scheduled as follows:

DATE: Monday, 28 October 2019
TIME: 10h00am
VENUE: Royal Bafokeng Stadium (in an Open Space) Phokeng, Bojanala District, North West Province

Members of the media are therefore invited to cover this special day.

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 ADVISORY
Att : ALL EDITORS
Media Houses
Date : Monday, 21 October 2019

PROVINCE TO HOST AWARDS FOR BEST PERFORMING ABATTOIRS

Mahikeng-MEC Desbo Mohono of North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will on Friday, 25 October 2019 officiate the Annual Provincial Abattoir Hygiene Rating Scheme Awards ceremony in Potchefstroom College of Agriculture.

The awards are held to promote compliance to the Meat Safety Act, Act 40 of 2000, and to recognise abattoirs that produce and supply safe meat whilst also contributing to food security.

This year’s awards are based on the 2018/2019 financial year abattoir audits that were conducted by the department’s Veterinary Public Health Officers in Veterinary Services using the national Hygiene Assessment System (HAS) tool.

During the period under review, there were thirty-two (32) registered red meat abattoirs and twenty one (21) registered poultry abattoirs in the North West Province. The mentioned abattoirs are privately owned.

For the financial year 2018/19 forty six (46) out of fifty three (53) abattoirs were audited in terms of the scheme.

Participating abattoir were competing under following categories;
– High throughput (HT) – Red Meat
– High throughput (HT) – Poultry
– Low throughput (LT) – Red Meat
– Low throughput (LT) – Poultry
– Rural throughput – Red meat (MECs special award issued to the best performing abattoir in this category)

The audits of abattoirs under the scheme are compulsory for all regularly slaughtering abattoirs. Each year the department honours best performing abattoirs with awards conferred by the Executive Authority and the Head of the Department for complying with meat safety act.

Members of the media are therefore invited to cover this important annual event scheduled to take place as follows:
Date : Friday, 25 October 2019
Venue : Potchefstroom Agricultural College, Alex Holm Hall
Time : 18:00

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

Ntswana le Metsing – We need all hands on deck to ensure that everyone in the North West Province has access to safe, healthy and nutritious food. This was said by MEC Desbo Mohono of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West Province during the Provincial World Food Day celebration in Ntswana le Metsing, a small village near Mogwase last Friday, 11 October 2019.

Held yearly across the world during the month of October, World Food Day, is a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger. This day reaffirms that, food should become a human right for all, and that everyone has the right to access safe and nutritious food that is consistent with the right to adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger.

The focus this year was on sustainable projects delivered by the department as well as encouraging residents to start planting on fields that are lying fallow in order to increase food production to fight the scourge of poverty, hunger and malnutrition amongst communities.

On the day, MEC Mohono together with a team of extension Officers planted a number of vegetable gardens and she handed over production inputs to identified families as part of departmental programme of eradicating hunger.

MEC Mohono is adamant that building a food secure province is possible.

“If we can all work as a team, both government and the society at large, people of North West will have access at all times to enough and nutritious food,” Mohono highlighted.

Her sentiments are shared by community members like Pako Jason Monegi, resident of of Ntswana le Metsing village.
Monegi has been owning a vegetable garden for some time. In his garden he plants vegetables like spinach, cabbage and onions.

To expand his garden, the department gave him vegetable seedlings and garden tools to work his garden and produce more vegetables.

The delighted Monegi thanked the department and resonated MEC Mohono’s thoughts that a food secure province is possible if everyone were to work hard.

“I am truly honoured to be amongst people who received help from government today. This has given me hope that one day I will be having a bigger project where I will be producing more vegetables and being able to sell to larger markets to earn a living,” Monegi said.

Moses Ncube an elderly resident who has been living in Ntswana le Metsing also received vegetable seedlings and tools to work and expand his garden.

Community members and leaders agree that North West Province’s enormous agricultural potential, if tapped, can feed the country, the entire continent and spur socio-economic growth.

Earlier this year, MEC Mohono made a commitment to North West residents that her department will stop at nothing until the province reclaims its rightful position of being the food basket of the country and the continent.

Whilst South Africa is food secure at national level, the country is still food insecure at household level as not all households have access to adequate food. Almost 20% of South African households had inadequate or severe inadequate access to food in 2017. The North West province is one of those that have the lowest proportions of households that has adequate food access and therefore can be seen as one of those that are the least food secure. With this statistics, MEC Mohono said clearly something needs to be done and must be done now!

“It cannot be right that we are very low when we are compared with other provinces in terms of food security. We must change how we do things and have more people with access to nutritious and enough food to keep them satisfied, healthy and active.

“Our vision as the department is that all residents must have access to and control over the physical, social and economic means to ensure sufficient, safe and nutritious food at all times, which meets their preferences, in order to meet the dietary requirements for a healthy life.

“If we work together, we can build a future where we’re able to nourish to flourish as a province. Our plans are clear. We will continue with provincial interventions to assist impoverished and vulnerable people, promote the planting of household, school and community gardens,” MEC Mohono concluded.

In addition to helping smallholder farmers, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have programmes which are aimed at empowering youth with knowledge, skills and other resources to venture into productive agriculture.

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