union
1 October 2007
Mafikeng: Out of the country's nine provincial departments of agriculture,
the North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment was
declared the best performing department by the National Emerging Red Meat
Producers Organisation (NERPO) at their Annual General Meeting held in Pretoria
recently.
The first provincial Department of Agriculture to receive this prestigious
award, Department Agriculture, Conservation and Environment North West was
honoured for its constant support to farmers and the quality of its
relationship with the emerging livestock farmers' union. Applauding the
Department for its performance over the past few years, NERPO's Group Managing
Director, Mr Aggrey Mahanjanaa said "without strategic partners like the North
West Department of Agriculture, NERPO would have not maximised the economic
participation of emerging livestock farmers within the red meat industry. This
department has also demonstrated its loyalty to emerging farmers as it is one
of the Agricultural departments with effective Livestock Development Policies,"
said Mr Mahanjanaa.
Receiving the accolade on behalf of the department, the Head of the
Department Mr Paul Mogotlhe said the prestigious award is a testimony that his
department is doing the right thing. "We are proud to be crowned leaders in
service delivery to livestock farmers. This is proof that our commitment to
providing valuable services and fruitful partnerships with Agricultural unions
is a valid approach. The honour and recognition we have received is in itself a
challenge; because we need to maintain this confidence in us. We thank members
of the NERPO for having faith in us as a department."
Some of the credible efforts the department in partnership with NERPO
undertook to improve cattle breeding standards in the province, was observed
last year in June, during which, through the Bull and Heifer Project, over 25
bulls of high quality were redistributed to emerging livestock farmers of the
North West province to ensure meaningful participation of the emerging sector
in the mainstream value chain of the industry.
This project affords emerging farmers an opportunity to exchange two heifers
for a single Bull to ensure that their produce is top quality, as is required
by the countries agricultural economy. This project has gained such popularity
and has since emerged as one of NERPO's flagship-partnership programmes in
animal improvement. Similarly, the department had earlier this year, joined
hands with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and North West
University (NWU), Mafikeng campus, and distributed 96 Nguni cattle to four
emerging farmers, 23 heifers and one bull per beneficiary. The aim of this
initiative is to reintroduce the Nguni breed of cattle into the province in
large numbers, focussing specifically on emerging farmers. The Nguni was
chosen, as it is an indigenous breed that can thrive under many divergent
management systems, while maintaining a high level of fertility.
NERPO elaborated that, among other commendations, the Department
Agriculture, Conservation and Environment earned this award for its usual
availability when needed by farmers. They also indicated that the department
does not pay lip service to consultation and participation on policies and
programmes affecting emerging farmers. NERPO also recognised the department for
the role it played in empowering emerging farmers with technical knowledge and
skills in red meat production.
The North West province was again during the awards presentation, announced
as the fastest growing province in NERPO memberships. "As compared to other
provinces, the North West province has since the beginning of this year,
increased its NERPO membership by more than 250," concluded NERPO's Group
Managing Director, Mr Aggrey Mahanjanaa.
Enquiries:
Ms Lesego Mncwango
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 389 5768
Cell: 078 459 5981
E-mail: lmncwango@nwpg.gov.za
Ms Bonolo Mohlakoana
Media Liaison Manager
Cell: 082 901 2435
Tel: 018 389 5459
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North West
Provincial Government
1 October 2007
