Ganyesa: More than 60 farmers from three agricultural cooperatives in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Bojanala Platinum Districts respectively, are bound for a brighter future and sustained agricultural activities on their farms. This is after the official handing over of brand new agricultural machineries by the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently.
The Kudunkgwane and Ga-Modisenyane Agricultural Cooperatives from Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, are proud recipients of brand new tractors, ploughs, planters, six ton trailers, boom sprayers, disc harrow offsets and a 2 500 service plan for each tractor. This delivery is also part of the department’s contribution towards the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme in Kudunkgwane.
The agricultural packages delivered to these cooperatives which practice dry-land crop farming on 2 231 hectares in the village of Kudunkgwane and 744 hectares in the village of Tlakgameng respectively, are expected to create an environment that would allow their agricultural businesses to thrive and productively work the then fallow land.
In Moretele, the department ensured that Thaba Ya Batho Cooperative begins to utilise the land at Bosplaas by providing a tractor, slasher, trailer and other implements.
Handing over these machineries on behalf of the department, Dr Poncho Mokaila, Chief Director for Agricultural Support Services said the department purchased such machineries in order to increase the vegetable production rate and improve the rural communities’ livelihood.
Dr Mokaila pleaded with the beneficiaries to use them properly and desist from using them for any other purpose than farming.
Extending their gratefulness, representatives of the three cooperatives assured the department of their intent to ensure optimal use of the equipments and that such investment bears the necessary fruit.
MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr Boitumelo Tshwene says this initiative illustrates the meaning of working together and that through its effective implementation, increased food production and security will be guaranteed.
Since the inception of this programme three years ago, about 54 legal entities (projects, cooperatives and communal property associations) have benefitted from this programme.
Enquiries:
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Cell: 082 901 2435
Tel: 018 389 5719
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
