The North West MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr Boitumelo Tshwene says his department will pull out all stops to involve young people in the agriculture and rural development sector, in an effort to motivate them to take full ownership of the agricultural resources.
MEC Tshwene says as the country is commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Soweto youth uprising, young people with interest in agriculture must vow to continue to build on their future by becoming strategic partners in growing a sustainable agriculture and ensuring rural development.
Tshwene says the action taken by the youth of 1976 who declared war against the system of apartheid was a clear indication that they were prepared to make personal sacrifices necessary to liberate themselves; an act which he says youth with interest in agriculture must live up to. ‘In doing so’, pointed out MEC Tshwene, ‘young people must affirm theircontribution towards the fight against poverty and starvation and help us reach the commitment to halve poverty by 2015’.
“It is our belief that a working youth is critical to our future and as a department we have made reasonable strides in attracting youth into the agricultural sector. Such discernible efforts will however not stop us from continuing to urge the youth of our province to value and show some consideration for agriculture.
As outlined in the recently approved departmental budget vote for 2011/12 financial year, some funds are destined towards youth projects with a guaranteed plan to create sustainable jobs.
These projects include amongst others Miga Youth Seedling Cooperative from Ramatlabama village, The Strategic Poultry & Farming Primary Cooperative in Klerksdorp, Rethabile Youth Cooperative from Morokweng and Mogogakgomo Youth Vegetable project in Moretele.
“We are also encouraged by the observation that quite a number of young people also participate in our Nguni Cattle Development flagship project and are continuing to do enormously well as Nguni breeders. It is young people like these ones who confirm that agriculture is not only for older persons, but that it is equally attractive to young men and women,” expressed MEC Tshwene.
Tshwene says his department would like to express its sincere optimism about all the youth especially youth cooperatives that have grown in leaps and bounds in Agriculture and have made it their concern to change the face of agriculture in the province. “We urge all those that still aspire to be part of this growing industry to visit our offices and get more information about opportunities in agriculture”.
Enquiries:
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 389 5719
Cell: 082 901 2435
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
Source: North West MEC Agriculture and Rural Development
MEC Tshwene reiterates the need for young people's involvement in agriculture and rural development
Province
