The MEC for North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Boitumelo Tshwene has today, Tuesday 24 May confirmed the department’s efforts towards ensuring accessibility of animal vaccines, particularly in rural areas, by pronouncing a contribution of animal vaccines worth R150 000 for rural farmers in the areas around Morokweng and Ganyesa in the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district.
MEC Tshwene who made this pronouncement while launching the Provincial Primary Animal Health Care (PAHC) programme at Morokweng village, about 300km west of Mahikeng, said the department has committed itself to buying a variety of animal vaccines, which will be handed over to Rethabile Youth Cooperative to sell and dispense to local farmers.
The department’s strategic partner in the rolling out of this programme, Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), donated a refrigerator which was also handed over to this youth cooperative, for the keeping of vaccines.
MEC Tshwene encouraged this group of two females and three males to make effective use of the contribution made, saying under the supervision of the department’s deployed Animal Health Technicians, they must ensure that the department’s yearn for increased accessibility to Veterinary services in rural areas is realised.
Accepting the donation on behalf of the cooperative, Constance Molefi expressed the group’s appreciation of efforts made by government in nurturing young people’s interest in agriculture. “We will not disappoint you, we are prepared to lead the way”, declared Ms Molefi.
To kick-start the programme, MEC Tshwene joined the Animal Health Technicians in vaccinating local cows against Lumpy Skin disease and Rift Valley Fever; diseases that the department considers critical to the Primary Animal Health Care programme.
This programme will focus largely on Animal Husbandry, which includes activities like dehorning, castration, animal identification or brand marking, animal handling, surveillance and vaccination programmes in general.
Onderstepoort Biological Products’ (OBP) Marketing Manager, Dr Jacob Modumo assured local farmers of OBP’s continued support and encouraged them to ensure that they use appropriate animal medicines as they will from now on, be accessed locally.
This programme will be rolled out in other rural communities to ensure smooth and constant provision and accessibility of Veterinary services in the province.
Enquiries:
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 389 5719
Cell: 082 901 2435
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
Source: North West Agriculture and Rural Development
Animal vaccines worth R150 000 for a youth cooperative in Morokweng
Province
