The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has sent five of its officials to the Netherlands where they are undergoing an intensive Train-the-Trainer Exercise on Competency Based Learning by Doing model, which is due for implementation at the recently launched Kgora Farmers Training Centre. The five, who are all Agricultural specialists, left early this month and will spend the whole of March in the Netherlands.
These officers will on return, train subsistence, small holder and commercial farmers in general arable farming, livestock husbandry, Agro-Processing and value-adding, using the Competency Based Learning by Doing approach. This renowned model will not only capacitate farmers on the theoretical part of farming methods, but trained farmers will also become knowledgeable about the practical part of food production, safety and security.
The MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Desbo Mohono says this development is in response to a dire need for a custom-made, adaptive and responsive skills advancement programme for farmers in the province.
“The coaching of these Training Officers in the Netherlands’ PTC+ will see the earnest commencement of the farmers’ training in the new financial year,” confirmed Mohono who added that the department will prioritise the provision of aftercare for all trained farmers.
Ms Tuelo Kgositau who is amongst the five Training Officers, committed the team to making the most of the time they will spend while at the Netherlands’ training centres, saying “The knowledge we will acquire will be optimally used in the training of our farmers, thus making agriculture in the province a more focused and prospering sector,” said Kgositau.
The revitalisation of the Kgora Farmers Training Centre for it to become an active centre where farmers from all over the province will be capacitated, was initiated and launched by the department in October last year, and several farmers have thus far been trained on Business Management for Value-adding. The aim of this theory-based short course was to enhance farmers’ business management skills that include record keeping, financial management, handling of different chemicals like pesticides, and management of storage facilities.
Enquiries:
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Cell: 082 901 2435
Tel: 018 389 5719
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za or mohlakoana.bonolo@gmail.com
