The North West MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Desbo Mohono, says members of agricultural cooperatives in the province must keep away from engaging in unnecessary feuds, as this is greatly affecting their reason for existence. Mohono’s call comes in the wake of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations’ focus on Agricultural cooperatives, which are viewed as a vehicle that must be used to amplify approaches to ending hunger in the world.
The month of October is globally observed as Food Safety and Security month, and the theme for this year was “Agricultural cooperatives – key to feeding the world”. The focus on cooperatives is an endeavour to highlight the role of cooperatives in improving food security and contributing to the eradication of hunger.
There are more than two hundred registered agricultural cooperatives in the North West Province, which have been supported by government. Mohono says while some of these cooperatives are doing very well, some are not progressing. She called on farmers to restore the roles and responsibilities entrusted upon cooperatives, by becoming a part of the solution to ending hunger and creating employment.
“The appeal for cooperatives to be responsible enough and use the provided agricultural starter packs and equipment profitably cannot be over-emphasised”, expressed Mohono who said it is high time that members of respective cooperatives take a solid stance and ensure that group dynamics become a thing of the past.
Mohono says for the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goal of halving the proportion of people suffering from hunger by 2015 to be achieved, there must be a shared vision, saying “cooperatives have a lot to contribute towards this vision”.
“As a department, we will continue to play our part by ensuring that the relevant support to agricultural cooperatives is provided to enable them to apply the natural-resource-sound farming techniques for the sustainability of their projects”, committed MEC Desbo Mohono who urged cooperatives to ensure that food production and security is their daily responsibility.
Enquiries:
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 389 5719 / 5684
Cell: 082 901 2435
Fax: 018 384 4571
E-mail: Bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za