Western Cape farmers win top awards
Two Western Cape farmers have won top awards at a prestigious national agriculture competition. Andre Cloete, a fruit, grain and livestock farmer from Greyton, was awarded the 2016 Toyota New Harvest Farmer award.
Jacques Beukes, a table grape and pear farmer from De Doorns, was named the 2016 Agri SA Toyota Young Farmer of the Year.
The competition seeks to honour new farmers who are helping to grow the sector, as well as celebrate the successes of black farmers.
Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities, congratulated Cloete and Beukes, and thanked them for their contribution to the province’s agriculture sector.
“For the past three years the Western Cape has produced a winner in this competition. Jacques serves as an inspiration to young people in this sector, who are the future of agriculture. Andre has been farming for the past eight years, and has worked hard to build a successful agri-business. Accelerating the pace of transformation in agriculture is one of my key priorities and to make this happen, we need to give emerging farmers the support they need. Over the next three years, we will assist close to 5 000 new farmers to grow their enterprises,” said MEC Winde.
Enquiries:
Bronwynne Jooste
Spokesperson: Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
Email: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
