A subsistence farmer from North West has thanked the provincial department of agriculture and rural development for gifting her with ten goats. This, says Rebecca Moilakgotla, is like “an endorsement of her farming path.”
Moilakgotla was among the attendees at MEC Desbo Mohono’s provincial World Food Day commemoration in Devondale village near Vryburg. In her keynote address, Mohono called on government to work together to ensure that families do not go to bed hungry.
“As I was going through the area and planting, I realised that many of the families have started gardens and it give me much pleasure because agriculture is one of the most resistant sectors and we cannot never go wrong when we do that,” said Mohono.
She acknowledged the farming skills held by many Devondale residents and urged them to use it to their advantage while assisting government to fight hunger. Beneficiaries, like Moilakgotla, were urged to desists from selling agricultural inputs received.
The department is giving you a start-up, but we would like to see you growing your businesses,” she pleaded.
Moilakgotla, a mother of two, had a herd of about 23 goats. She said, “I am glad that the department sees my good effort and now my herd has been increased. I have always wished that I could see and instant increase and with this donation. This is a dream come true.”
The fight against hunger needed a coordinated effort, said Mohono.
Supported by the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Naledi Local Municipality and the national department of agriculture, land reform and rural development, Mohono’s department supported a number of food security projects with the aim of fighting hunger in the 500-household, poverty-stricken Devondale.
Food gardens were planted for schools, community organisations and individual households. The department handed over production inputs including indigenous chickens, seedlings and fertilisers as well as gifting ten subsistence farmers with ten goats each. In addition, the department donated 30 North West farmers with one bull each to improve their livestock.
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