North West Premier Thandi Modise has challenged young farmers to reclaim their space in the agriculture sector, saying they must open their horizon and dream big about agriculture. Premier Modise made the call on the first day of the three-day Provincial Youth Development Symposium that commenced in Mahikeng yesterday.
“You must know that when you are in this sector, you are in a scientific world, and must therefore take the lead in agricultural research and production. Never be afraid to be adventurous,” highlighted Premier Modise.
More than two hundred young farmers attending the symposium maintain that as a food basket of the country, the North West province’s landmark must be agriculture.
Young farmers expressed their willingness to innovate and take agriculture to the next level, by committing themselves to looking at diversified farming.
“It is the youth’s target to portray agriculture as a firm base for economic development, and through this symposium, the potential benefits of youth entrepreneurship would be stimulated,” said BAYOFA Chief Executive Officer Mr Poiho Ramotlatsi.
Representatives from agriculture institutions such as Productivity SA, NewStart Eco-Garden, Industrial Development Corporation and commercial banks, shared information with the youth about productivity trends in the agricultural sector, the organic way of production and how to access funding for their projects.
The objectives of the symposium are amongst others, to showcase the agricultural potential, to promote the importance of agricultural entrepreneurship among the youth, examine the importance of self-employment, assess the current status of youth-run enterprises and identify challenges faced by the youth entrepreneurs.
Outlining the expectation about the symposium, the MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Desbo Mohono, said the youth must come up with legacy youth development projects, as some of the tangible outcomes of this symposium.
The theme for the symposium organised by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with Black African Young Farmers (BAYOFA), Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) as well as the North West University-Mahikeng campus is “Fostering the next generation of Agriculturalists for sustainable development”.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
