Archives: News

MEDIA STATEMENT
Att : ALL EDITORS
Media Houses
Date: Monday, 20 June 2022

Taung – Four of the nine students supported through MEC Desbo Mohono’s intervention initiative have graduated at Taung College of Agriculture (TAC). This took place on Friday, 17 June 2022 at the much-jubilated graduation ceremony hosted by the college. The students were part of a team of nine and a class of 2019 intake who were identified from indigent households across the province. They were offered a bursary and a placed to study at TAC. The four have bagged their 3-year Diplomas of Agriculture in Irrigation on record time.
In 2019, after various engagements with young people, the North-West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono observed the interest of agriculture in many young people. The challenge, as raised by many at that time, was that of lack of funding to pursue their studies. It was then that she offered, through her office’s intervention, a bursary for those who were in dire need.
One of the students, from a group of four who graduated, is Nomalanga Sibinda from Pudumong village just outside Taung. Since finishing her matric, Sibinda said she struggled for some time as she did not have funds to pursue her studies. Although she had agriculture as one of her matric subjects, she did not consider it that much as her line of career. It was one of her former teachers who tipped her of MEC Mohono’s initiative and she grabbed the opportunity. “Whilst I was home, a teacher told me that MEC Mohono was talking in one her engagements about the desire to assist interested students to further their studies. I applied and I was fortunate to be accepted. I have a single parent who struggle to support me because of minimal job opportunities available and I was excited to get this opportunity, and this was also a relief to her,” Sibinda further explained.
Sibinda said her love for agriculture grew over time and she does not see herself anywhere besides in that field. She alluded that she is following (through digital media) a lot of young people who are in the field and are doing well. She is comfortable about the fact that many of these young people are modernising the sector thus creating a lot of interest for their peers especially females.
She asserted that agriculture was her home, and she was planning to make her mark within the sector with the acquired knowledge. The other four students who benefited and were graduating are Lesalagae Moranang from Lekubung in Zeerust, Zandi Dladla who also hails from Pudumong and Olebogeng Motshegare from Rustenburg.
MEC Mohono said she was proud to have made education accessible for these four kids. “These young people have managed to grab the opportunity and have completed their Diploma on record time. It is said that when you make education inaccessible, you make prosperity only possible for the already prosperous,” MEC Mohono said.
She further congratulated all the graduands and declared her pleasure at seeing young people acquiring knowledge irrespective of their challenges. “This is a special day for our children who have toiled the soil for about three tough years. These graduates are proceeding under tumultuous and boisterous times of COVID 19. They are rare breeds and we are proud of them, and this shows that our Taung and Potchefstroom Colleges produce not only students, but characters that can man-up and stand facing the entire world with its wrath,” MEC emphasised.
The Taung College of Agriculture hosted the 2022 ceremony and bid farewell to a total of 24 graduands with a total representation of 38% of whom were females and 62% males. All of them acquired a 3-year diploma of Agriculture in Irrigation.

Ends!

Issued by: Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684 / Cell: 0 60 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako @nwpg.gov.za

MEDIA STATEMENT
Att: ALL EDITORS
Media Houses
Date: Tuesday, 21 June 2022

Mahikeng- In a quest to empower subsistence and smallholder farmers in the Province, the North-West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (NWDARD) has recently trained a group of farmers on potato production. The initiative is part of the NWDARD’s Food Security Strategic Plan (FSSP) of enhancing production through alignment with technologies and enhancing enterprise development for smallholder farmers. The training was provided by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the department availed resources such as potato seeds, fertilizers and chemicals.
Potato production is one of the most expensive enterprises within the agricultural sector of South Africa with less than 1% of total production done by black farmers.
Speaking during the provincial potato harvest day function held in Ramatlabama last Wednesday 15 June 2022, MEC Mohono commended all the nine farmers for completing their training.
She further went on to say that the Department embarked on this initiative with the ARC with the aim of skilling the potential entrants to the potato industry. “It is researched that less than 1% of total production is done by black farmers due to high costs within the potato industry. So the Department took these nine farmers to help them unlock the potato industry and shake the status-qou a bit. As a department we are neither compromising nor taking chances when coming to food security measures throughout the entire province. “The high inputs costs should not deter our farmers to forge ahead because once in, rewards are much greater at the ultimate,” MEC Mohono expressed.
The training for these nine farmers consisted of theoretical and practical aspects.
The potato industry’s impact is not only of interest to the agricultural compass but overlaps to contribute towards the sustenance of life itself. It pushes towards contributing to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to “eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.”

Mosidi Morule of Ramatlabama is one of the beneficiaries of this programme. On behalf of all nine trained farmers, she thanked the Department and their mentors Dr Lerato Matsaunyane and Flip Steyn from the ARC. “We are grateful and appreciate what the department and the ARC has done for us. It was not an easy one but here we are today. We managed!” she expressed.
She went further to say they will use the knowledge they acquired from this training to mentor others.
From ARC, Dr Lerato Matsaunyane thanked the Department for coming up with such a good initiative that will not only see farmers being trained but will also contribute in making sure that there is enough food production and job opportunities that will be created if sustained.
The potato subsector has a potential to create sustainable employment opportunities for everyone along the value chain.
This programme aims to serve as a model to increase potato production in the North-West Province.
By empowering these farmers through relevant programmes, they could adopt a commercial mind-set which can unlock a powerhouse of rural development and food security in the province.
Plans are in place to support those that have just been trained and to train more in the future.

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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/Facebook:www.facebook.com/nwdard

MEDIA STATEMENT Att: ALL EDITORS
Media Houses Date: 30 May 2022

Mahikeng-MEC Desbo Mohono has committed that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to provide support and resources to needy and deserving communities to fight poverty and hunger through the Department’s Food and Nutrition Programme. In the 2021/2022 financial year alone, the department through various agricultural food production initiatives, managed to support over3 600destitute households across all four districts as part of the poverty alleviation programme. “The Food and Nutrition Security Programmes could not have been possible without the produce from our very own institutions, being Kgora Farmer Training Centre and the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture.

The department has been producing seedlings and indigenous chickens granted to deserving households as agricultural production starter-packs. Food Security relief packages have been provided to needy rural households across the province in collaboration with the Department of Social Development” explained Mohono. The Department continues to prioritise the need to address the deteriorating food security in the North West which was exacerbated by the loss of employment and household income at the beginning of the pandemic. It is for this reason that the Department has developed the Integrated Provincial Food Security Strategy, which will be launched in the current financial year (2022/2023) through the Food Security Coordinating Council of the Premier.

“In our plans for 2022/23 financial year, the department will continue to pursue a ward-based approach, where vulnerable households are targeted. To date, the department has developed its Integrated Food Security Provincial Implementation Plan, which categorises food security initiatives that would be implemented with a total of R16 million earmarked to target 3 040 households and subsistence producers,” said MEC Desbo Mohono. The MEC added that the department will be working in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) to roll out the Potato Production Programme of which ten hectors (10ha) is currently under production with harvesting underway. This programme fits into the Food Security Strategy and the Department plans to expand production at identified sites with 200ha per farmer of the 11 farmers in the next production season starting September 2022. For assistance or to get more information on this programme, community members are encouraged to enquire with their Agricultural Local Area Offices.
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Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms EmeldaSetlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684
Cell: 060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/Agriculture/
Facebook:www.facebook.com/nwdard

MEDIA STATEMENT Att: ALL EDITORS Media Houses

Date: Monday, 23 May 2022

Mooifontein -The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development commemorated Provincial World Bee Day last Wednesday, 18th May 2022 in Mooifontein under the theme, “Bee engaged: Build back better for bees”. Currently, the provincehas thirty-three (33) active and registered beekeepers of which most have been assisted with equipment and training by the department. Sello Nthoesane, is one of those apiculture (bee-keeping) farmers that have been assisted by the NWDARD. He has received training funded by the Department on beekeeping management.He expressed his gratitude towards the Department’s effort in supporting apiculture farmers in the province. He also encouraged new entrants into the industry to use the opportunity afforded by government wisely and he offered himself to assist those that need information and skills on the industry standards and requirements. Beekeepers who attended the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) training were awarded Certificates of Competence for a course that comprised of recognising defensive behaviour in animals; observing and handling of animals as well as selecting, using and caring for hand tools and basic equipment as well as infrastructure.

On the day MEC Desbo Mohono handed over five (5) brooding boxes to Kenalemang Mooketsi from Lichtenburg who started beekeeping in 2018. “I am excited about the new equipment that I received today from the Department. I hope that it will continue to assist many others like myself who are committed to growing in this sector and dedicate their time to their businesses. This shows that the vision of empowering women in agriculture will be realised through the hard work of MEC Mohono” said Mooketsi. Presentations during the commemoration day, included Bees and the Environment; Beekeeping as a business; Regulatory Framework on Bee Keeping; Marketing, Processing, Packaging, Compliance and Certification. In her address, MEC Mohono said the Department will be behind all farmers who are showing interest in and are keen in their endeavour of improving their lives. “As a province we are fully behind our bee farmers, and we further promise that this will not be the last gathering of this magnitudein regards to bee-keeping.

As the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, we have done our research and realised that indeed bee farming is worthy and course for our people. As a Department, our intension is clear about bee farming. We intend to mitigate problems our people are facing by creating employment, alleviating poverty in rural communities and providing investment opportunities to small and medium bee farmers,” MEC Desbo Mohona expressed. PICTURE CAPTION: IMG – 1545: MEC Desbo Mohono has vowed to support beekeepers in the province with the objective of developing them to commercial status.

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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/

Facebook:www.facebook.com/nwdard

MEDIA ADVISORY

Att: ALL EDITORS Media Houses

Date: Monday, 16 May 2022

The performance of the North-West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, new plans and priorities for the new financial year will be on the spotlight on Thursday, 19 May 2022 as MEC Desbo Mohono tables the 2022/2023 departmental budget and policy vote at the Provincial Legislature in Mmabatho. Major announcements can be expected on how the department is intending to refocus the agricultural sector in the province. It is also expected that on the day, MEC Mohono will share with the legislature and the communities of the North-West province, the objectives of the recently launched Muni-MEC forum, the plans to strengthen the extension and advisory services in the province as well as progress registered on different departmental programmes as committed previously.

Improving access to markets for producers especially smallholders, is expected to make it into the list of this year’s priorities. Budget and Policy Vote presentation for Agriculture and Rural Development Department is scheduled to take place as follows: Date: Thursday, 19 May 2022 Venue: North-West Provincial Legislature (Mmabatho) Time: 10H00 All invited guests including the members of the media are expected to be seated by 08h30.

-Ends-
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/
Facebook:www.facebook.com/nwdard

DIGITAL LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION AND TRACEABILITY SYSTEM, A FIRST FOR NORTH-WEST
PROVINCE
Mahikeng – In an effort to align the agricultural sector of the province with the developments in technologies
globally, MEC Desbo Mohono of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West has today, Thursday 19
May 2022 announced that the province will soon upgrade the paper-based system of tracing animals to a
modern and computerized livestock identification and traceability system, LITS.
LITS is a national IT database system that will be used to trace animals and animal products from farm to
fork/plate. This is a system that traces not only origin of animals but also chemicals that animals have been
subjected to. It has a great recompense to use in that it helps disease control. With this technology, one can
prevent or know ahead of time the disease status of animals that are allowed to come into the province. The
system can also significantly reduce response time during animal disease outbreak by helping to contain the
introduction and spread of contagious diseases.
When she was speaking at the Legislature today, MEC Desbo Mohono said, introduction of LITS technologies
within the agricultural supply chain promises not only increased efficiencies through enhanced data
management and more robust traceability but also enhanced food safety protocols.
The use of LITS will also open up exotic markets for farmers that were previously closed because of lack
of tracing and identifying of the origin of animals and animal products by the farm where elementary activities
can be accounted for. The system will help to monitor the use of banned substances and antibiotics.
For all of these reasons, introduction of this system will benefit all animal and food producers and processors.
Tel: +27 (18) 389 5719/5684
Fax: +27(18) 384 4571
E-mail:Esetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
DIRECTORATE: COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
AgriCentre Building
Cnr. Dr. James Moroka and
Stadium Rd
Private Bag X2039, Mmabatho 2735
The process has started wherein operators are being registered in the national database. This will be followed
by registering farms and facilities before individual animals are registered. The system is expected to provide
information on animals and animal products and a reliable monitoring mechanism that will strengthen the
government’s regulatory function in the livestock sub-sector.
Other than LITS, MEC Mohono has also announced that the Department will embark on a process of digitizing
the administration of its veterinary laboratory services which will be done through the introduction of
Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).

Ends!
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

Date: Thursday, 19 May 2022
DEPARTMENT TO APPOINT OVER FOUR-HUNDRED (400) ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL ADVISORS
Mahikeng – The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (NWDARD) will this
year appoint a total of four hundred & forty-three (443) Assistant Agricultural Advisors on a threeyear contract to bolster its extension and advisory services. MEC Desbo Mohono made this
announcement today, Thursday 19 May 2022 at the Provincial Legislature when she was tabling the
NWDARD budget vote.
This follows a pronouncement made by both the President and the Minister on the appointment of
10 000 Assistant Agricultural Extension Advisors across the country. Out of this 10 000, 443 will be
coming from the North-West Province.
“Extension and advisory services is the coalface platform for the department’s interaction, liaison and
support to farmers and communities. Agricultural advisory through this service are at the forefront of
service delivery and are the face of the sector to clients and the public,” MEC Mohono expressed.
“They play an important role as information intermediaries between scientists and farmers,
translating, and adding value to agronomic and economic information of use in agricultural
management decision making,” she added.
An amount of R11.1 million from the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme will be used in
this regard.
Tel: +27 (18) 389 5719/5684
Fax: +27(18) 384 4571
E-mail:Esetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
DIRECTORATE: COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
AgriCentre Building
Cnr. Dr. James Moroka and
Stadium Rd
Private Bag X2039, Mmabatho 2735
During the 2021/22 financial year alone, the department managed to support a total of seven
thousand nine hundred and ninety-two (7 992) smallholder producers across the province with
agricultural advisory services through the Extension Recovery Programme (ERP).
In as far as as job creation is concerned and as part of contributing towards addressing the triple
challenges of poverty; unemployment & inequality in the province, the NWDARD managed to create
an overall of 979 jobs through Land Care Programme; Rural Development initiatives, the Expanded
Public Works Programme (EPWP) as well as through the Environment and Culture (EAC) Sector Work
Opportunities.
At the end of the 2022/23 financial year, a total of 1 147 work opportunities would be created
throughout the province.
Ends!
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

Rustenburg – The North-West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (NWDARD) is in it
for an all-government approach as it led the launch of Muni-MEC forum, a structure aimed at
involving the three spheres of government in integrated planning with the aim of transforming the
agricultural sector in the province. The launch which took place today, 16 May 2022 was an effort of
the NWDARD to officiate partnerships in facilitating a seamless process of planning, coordinating and
implementing agricultural services locally. This forum, to be led by MEC Desbo Mohono is constituted
by representatives of the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development,
the NWDARD as well as all municipalities in the province, specifically Members of Municipal
committees of Agriculture and Rural Development, Human Settlements as well as Infrastructure.
Following a series of MEC’s stakeholder meetings during the month of April 2022 between the
Department and municipalities, a determination was made that there was a need to have the three
spheres to work together in accelerating services. NWDARD has concluded to set up a forum to assist
in reaching a common goal of revitalising agriculture locally.
Speaking during the launch, the Head of NWDARD, Mr Thupi Mokhatla said the forum forms part of
the District Development Model, an operational model for improving cooperative governance aimed at
building a capable and ethical development state. He further asserted that key to the forum
Tel: +27 (18) 389 5719/5684
Fax: +27(18) 384 4571
E-mail:Esetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
CHIEF DIRECTORATE: CORPORATE SERVICES
AgriCentre Building
Cnr. Dr. James Moroka and
Stadium Rd
Private Bag X2039, Mmabatho 2735
deliverables would be to have joint effort in identifying the needs of communities within the
agricultural sector, alignment of intervention plans, budgeting, and implementation thereof. This he
said, would basically translate into a single plan that would reach many people and result in a better
benefit to the communities.
MEC Mohono, who is passionate about coordinated government efforts particularly on agricultural
services said the process which culminated in the forum launch was a fully consulted product. She
also emphasised that the projects as implemented in the various municipalities must be a product all
three spheres of government’s efforts. “Muni-MEC forum is purely launched in the context of
eliminating and erasing the silo mentality from all three arms of government. Seamless coordination
of government work and projects will assist in fastracking developments, eliminate red tapes as all
decision makers converge from all spheres of government,” MEC Mohono said.
She further reiterated that the forum will need to be at the forefront in making an impact in local
communities. “The bulkwalk of the North-West province economy relies heavily on agriculture and
many other sector facets. The major assignment of this forum in partnership with municipalities will
also be issues relating to profiling skills and education levels, current employment and growth trends
as well as potential arrears for growth with a view of unlocking the potential within municipalities,”
Mohono further alluded.
Municipalites in the province through various Executive Mayors, Mayors AND MMCs, who also
attended the launch have voiced their unequivocal support to the forum. Amongst others, these
municipalities representatives have appreciated the initiative by MEC Mohono and lauded the forum
as a proper vehicle to take services to communities. Cllr Itumeleng Moarabi, MMC Local Economic
Development at Ngaka Modiri Molema District, amongst other representatives, has also welcomed the
initiative and declared his trust on a partnership “that will bring transformation in the agricultural
sector.”
As part of the launch, the forum has adopted Terms of Reference as well a framework Muni-MEC
operations. The forum will also be in two folds i.e. Muni-MEC which will constitute MEC and MMCs;
and the Technical Muni-MEC which will constitute of the HoD, Mr Thupi Mokhatla as well as Chief
Directors and Directors of participating Departments and Municipalities. The terms of reference detail
composition and functions of the committees, the roles of each stakeholder group as well as meeting
schedules

MEDIA INVITE Att : All Media Houses All Journalists All Editors Date : Thursday, 12 May 2022

Mahikeng-In an effort to ensure that there is seamless coordination of agricultural and rural development related services between the department and local government, MEC Desbo Mohono will on Monday, 16 May 2022 launch a Muni-MEC forum. This decision to launch Muni-MEC comes after a series of engagements between municipalities and the department held throughout the entire province recently. During this engagements, a need to foster practical intergovernmental relations in order to plan, budget and implement jointly in order to provide a coherent government for the people was identified. Other than ensuring that there is synergy between the Department and municipalities in the province, the forum will also be used to implement the District Development Model, (DDM).

Under the District Development Model all three spheres of government coordinate and integrate development plans and budgets and mobilise the capacity and resources of government and civil society, including business, labour and community, in pursuit of inclusive growth and job creation.
It is expected that on the day of the launch, the work and expectations for this forum will be outlined to government service recipients. Members of the media are therefore invited to cover the launch of this forum which scheduled to take place as follows:

Venue : Rustenburg Civic Centre
Date : Monday, 16 May 2022
Time : 10h00
Transport will be available on request for community media. Please RSVP to Ms Mandisa Mti at: dmti@nwpg.gov.za/ 018 389 5150 on or before Friday, 13 May 2022 at 10h00.

Tel: +27 (18) 389 5719/5684
Fax: +27(18) 384 4571
E-mail:Esetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Directorate:
Communication Services
AgriCentre Building
Cnr. Dr. James Moroka and
Stadium Rd
Private Bag X2039, Mmabatho 2735
Issued by Communication Services Directorate Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako Tel: 018 389 5684 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: Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Mahikeng
MEC Desbo Mohono of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West will this year, lead the provincial commemoration of World Bee Day in Mooifontein near Gelukspan. The
event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 18 May 2022. The theme for this year is “Bee engaged: Build back better for bees”. The department will use the day to create awareness amongst the communities on t he role bees play in creating employment, alleviating poverty, how they provide food security through crop and plant pollination as well as investment opportunities for small and medium enterprises.

In order to fully appreciate the crucial role of bees in food security, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has trained a number of farmers in beekeeping through the Agricultural Research Council and others have been assisted with basic beekeeping equipment. Beekeepers in North West and all other farmers with an interest in apiculture and are active, are encouraged to register on the departmental database for beekeepers. Attendance of the day will include bee keepers from across the province, farmers, exhibitors, and presente rs from various sectors of the apiculture industry to share expertise and knowledge.

Members of the media are therefore invited to this event which is scheduled to take place as follows:
VENUE: MOOIFONTEIN LOCAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICE
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
TIME: 10H00
Transport will be available on request for community media. Please RSVP to Ms Mandisa Mti at:
dmti@nwpg.gov.za/ 018 389 5150 on or before Monday, 16 May 2022 before 13h00.
–
Ends
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/
Facebook:www.facebook.com/nwdard