The MEC for Agriculture will hand over farm machinery that includes tractors and farm implements such as ploughs and trailers in Mopani District on Tuesday, 19 October 2010. Generally, small holder farmers face challenges that hamper their production and growth opportunities to become commercial farmers because of lack of implements.
The Limpopo Department of Agriculture (LDA) has put in place a scheme which seeks to assist small-holder farmers access mechanisation through its Mechanisation Revolving Credit Access Scheme (MERECAS). The MERECAS aims at increasing accessibility and affordability of mechanisation services to this category of farmers in Limpopo. The lack of traction power contributes to the underutilisation of land, thus reducing the production levels that would see the agricultural growth in the country, and Limpopo province in particular.
Farmers need basic mechanisation units such as the ploughs, disc harrows, and grain planter in order to farm professionally and optimal production. In partnership with a service provider, ABSA, the LDA is assisting farmers purchase mechanisation units that will help improve their farming. The LDA pays 50% of the total cost of the required mechanisation unit by farmers with the other half being the responsibility of the farmer. It is hoped that this scheme could turn a number of black farmers into agribusiness entrepreneurs in the province if more farmers could take advantage of this opportunity.
It is in this spirit that the Limpopo MEC for Agriculture, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba will be handing over agricultural equipment to some farmers, amongst them, an organic farmer.
Date: 19 October 2010
Venue: Mopani District (Maruleng-Nwabitsi Agricultural Project)
Time: 09h00
The media is invited to the occasion. For transport, please contact :
Samson Mabunda
Cell: 082 889 3791.
For more information, contact:
Mr Kenny Mathivha
Cell: 082 450 1331
