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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

OTTOSDAL-Pet owners in and around Ottosdal area brought their animals for free rabies vaccinations as part of a month long departmental rabies campaign aimed at extending services to communities.

The month of September has been declared as Rabies month by the OIE- World Organization for Animal Health which is the international body of disease control worldwide. Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that in spite of all the knowledge and technology the world knows, rabies still continues to kill more than 55 000 people every year around the world.

Deputy Director Animal Health in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, Dr Simon Mosenogi said that it was important to vaccinate pets, especially cats and dogs annually as a means to effectively preventing the contraction of rabies in animals and the spread thereof. This is a potentially fatal disease if left untreated and humans can easily contract rabies as they are in close contact with their pets.

“We appreciate our communities for taking precautionary measures and heeding the call to vaccinate their pets annually. This year (2019) marks the highest number of pets that we have vaccinated in a day which is 1305 dogs and 29 cats. Pet owners in the North West are continuously being reminded and educated about the importance of vaccinations which can be done at the department’s State Veterinary Offices for free throughout the year,” said Dr Mosenogi.

In addition to the rabies vaccination, Provincial Veterinaries and Animal Health Technicians de-wormed the animals in partnership with the National Department of Agriculture and the North West University technical students. Jacob Mohepadira from Letsopa Township has been a dog owner for 2 years and said that he had been using state veterinary services from 2017 and is grateful for the efforts made by the North West to extend services to those that are unable to access vaccinations closer to their areas.
Florence Fortuin who also had her two dogs vaccinated on the day applauded the department for continuously raising awareness about the disease. Fortuin said, “I have been a dog owner for eight years and every year I have been able to access vaccinations within Letsopa Township. These services give me peace of mind because I have young children who play with dogs and can be easily exposed to any kind of viruses which dogs contract”.

Rabies is a caused by a virus that affects the nervous system of the affected animal. It is caused when the virus enters the body from saliva of infected animals through a bite wound.

The exposure may include bites, but it is important to note that small nicks that break the skin or even licks of the eyes, nose and mouth are regarded as exposure.

The clinical signs that are expected in a positive rabies case are signs related to the dysfunctional nervous system. They are classified either as “dumb form” or “aggressive form”. In the dumb form, these animals show signs of lethargy and progress to facial paralysis. In the aggressive form they show signs of extreme aggression and as they get paralysed in the face, they tend to produce lot of saliva. Some animals may simply show hindquarter paralysis.

Experts say human beings are extremely susceptible to rabies. The spill of rabies into humans usually starts from the wild animals (Sylvatic rabies). Wild rabies is transmitted to the domestic animals like dogs and cats. Once infected, they show aggression and tend to bite anything including humans. In that way humans tend to get it. Once human being contract rabies, it becomes a dead end host, like most of your herbivorous animals because they cannot transmit it to others by biting but they die.

Since the beginning of this year (2019), North West Province alone has reported at least eighteen (18) cases of Rabies. Eight of these outbreaks occurred in the Bojanala Platinum District. In Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Districts there were (4) four outbreaks recorded for each, while Dr Kenneth Kaunda District recorded two (2) outbreaks.

To curb this, officials from the Department are constantly embarking on activities across the province to educate and bring awareness to communities on the importance of vaccinating pets and why it is important to neuter or spay pets.

Earlier this year, MEC Desbo Mohono assured communities of North West Province that her department will continue to ensure that all threats to animal health are detected early and dealt with decisively.

Community members are further advised to report any suspicious symptoms of rabies to any local state vet offices and health facilities in the province. For more information, community members can contact their nearest State Veterinary Services Office or call any of the following offices for further investigation and laboratory confirmation.

NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA DISTRICT
Mahikeng State Vet Office : 018 381 3449,
Ratlou State Vet Office : 018 336 1121
Tswaing State Vet Office : 053 948 1188
Ditsobotla State Vet Office : 018 632 4061
Ramotshere State Vet Office : 018 363 3144

DR KENNETH KAUNDA DISTRICT
Klerksdorp State Vet Office : 018 468 6955
Potchefstroom State Vet Office: 018 294 5378
Ventersdorp State Vet Office : 018 264 3159
Wolmaranstad State Vet Office: 018 596 3094

BOJANALA DISTRICT
Madibeng State Vet Office: 012 709 1108
Moretele State Vet Office: 012 714 3914
Moses Kotane State Vet Office: 014 555 6023
Rustenburg State Vet Office: 014 592 9281/2
Kgetleng State Vet Office: 014 544 0607

DR RUTH SEGOMOTSI MOMPATI
Molopo State Vet Office : 053 937 0047
Kagisano State Vet Office : 053 998 3528
Naledi State Vet Office : 053 927 2274
Mamusa State Vet Office : 053 963 1140
Lekwa Teemane State Vet Office: 053 433 1415
Greater Taung State Vet Office: 053 994 2238

Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684
Cell: 060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:dard.www.nwpg.gov.za
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg_dard

Mahikeng – While much work remains, successful efforts by the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in establishing agri-projects across the province is bearing some fruits.

The department has established number of agri-projects mostly in the rural parts of the province to stimulate the economy, alleviate poverty and advancement of rural communities.

One such project is Mathotshe Business Enterprises. The project is situated in Doornkop, thirty kilometers (30 km) outside Ventersdorp town and is farming with aquaculture and aquaponics.

Aquaponics is a way of producing food that combines aquaculture (farming aquatic animals such as snails and fish) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In this type of farming, the plants get their nutrients from the nutrient rich water produced by the fish wastes.

The farm specializes with Nile Tilapia and is headed by a female, Ms. Salome Mathobela. The beneficiary is the first black woman in South Africa to receive the Nile Tilapia permit. She also has Mozambiccus permit and she is a member of Tilapia Association South Africa (TASA).

For years, Ms Mathobela toyed with the idea of owning aquaponic farm.

In 2014 she finally bought herself a bare land and established her own farm.

Three years down the line, her dream of expanding and increasing production became a reality when the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Province offered to support her project with infrastructure through its Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme.

Thorough this programme, the government invested with the following infrastructure equipments in the enterprise: two large (2) tunnels, fully equipped solar system with control room for power, a generator, fourteen (14) ponds and production inputs.

The farm now specializes with Nile Tilapia with the capacity of producing 13tons of fish per annum. Mathobela also grow vegetables in the area around these seven ponds/tanks, as these will absorb potentially harmful gases escaping from the tanks while helping to create a warm, tropical climate conducive to the wellbeing of the fish.

The plants are grown organically and no chemical fertilisers or pesticides are used.

“We keep things as natural as possible. We harvest one (1) ton of tilapia fish every month,” Mathobela indicated. While aquaponic is often perceived as complicated, Mathobela says that the system operates on very simple principles.

“The fishes’ waste is then broken down by nitrifying bacteria, initially into nitrites and subsequently into nitrates, which the plants utilise as nutrients,” Mathobela explains.

The farm also produces a variety of leaf vegetables that are sold in colourful, mixed packs.

They include jasmine tomatoes, green beans, green pepper and spinach.

“We are currently selling and supplying various stores in North West and Gauteng Province with organic vegetables and fish.

“I truly believe that diversification production through aquaculture and aquaponics practices is the future of farming. It works in rural or urban areas and all you need is a little know-how,” Mathobela highlighted.

The department has monitoring mechanisms in place to oversee the day-to-day running of these cooperatives and to ensure sustainability.

Mathobela has acknowledged the department’s contribution in assisting her to get necessary skills.

“I have an official from the department who is always available for advice. Through her assistance, I managed to attend a number of aquaculture and fishery awareness campaigns, farmer’s days, training organized by the department and that has helped me a lot to improve my farming skills.

This official has also linked me with commercial farmers.

Currently the farm has five (5) permanent employees. It creates five (5) temporary jobs every month during fish harvesting. Annually, it creates over fifteen (15) temporary jobs for weed control and during planting of vegetables.

One of the employees is Ntsoaki Maria Molosi (20) from the neighbouring village of Mafole. She enjoys working at Mathotshe Business Enterprise.

“I enjoy working here and since my arrival I have learned a lot and developed interest for fish farming,” Molosi said.

Molosi also has a dream of having her own farm just like her employer. The owner, Ms Mathobela says food security is at the heart of her farm and is hoping that soon her business will grow to create more jobs.

Her project is one of many which are supported by the department responding to high rate of unemployment amongst North West Province communities who are still locked in cycles of generational poverty and food insecurity.

The support programme from the department also includes training of beneficiaries, mentoring and technical assistance by state Extension Officers.

Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684 Cell: 060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:dard.nwpg.gov.za
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg _dard