North West Premier, Maureen Modiselle has promised to continue with the province’s effort to support small farmers by improving the utilisation of public funds dedicated particularly to assist subsistence farmers.
Speaking when delivering her State of the Province Address on Friday, Ms Modiselle said over the past few years’ government has not performed well in the utilisation of public funds dedicated particularly to assist small subsistence farmers.
“This coupled with failure to implement a sustainable funding system for agricultural projects have increased the debt burden of small farmers. Many small farmers have opted out of business, prohibitive input costs continue to drive many farmers into insolvency and inhibits new entrants,” she said.
She said the province will start engagement between commercial farmers, financial institutions and government on interventions needed to rescue the agricultural sector in the province.
Agriculture is the second largest contributor to the North West Gross Domestic Product (GDP) after mining. Economic studies indicated that there are growth opportunities in the agro-processing sector which have not been fully explored.
Ms Mdiselle said her province through the economic development cluster will be putting together a comprehensive package of available opportunities in the Province to be marketed to potential investors.
Premier Modiselle said the new MEC of Agriculture will unveil a new rural development strategy which shall guide government’s approach to improve conditions of the people in rural areas.
She said that the province has identified the village of Mokgalanweng in Moses Kotane Local Municipality (in Bojanala), to launch their package of interventions on rural development.
She further added that, the province will work together with Moses Kotane Local Municipality and Bojanala District to achieve better results.
For more information contact:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Tel: 018 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
E-mail: cmonama@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
12 June 2009
