The North West department of agriculture and rural development handed over agricultural mechanisation to Daniel Soya in Goedgevonden village in JB Marks Local Municipality as part of the provincial government’s accelerated service delivery programme, Thuntsa Lerole.
The initiative, led by MEC Desbo Mohono and the head of the department Thupi Mokhatla, is aimed at bridging the gap between different types of farmers and addressing food insecurity in the province.
Mechanisation to improve productivity
The mechanisation which includes a tractor, planter and harvester, amongst others, is one way of addressing food insecurity in North West.
The use of agricultural mechanisation is significant for smallholder farmers because it advances production efficiency, reassures large-scale production, and increases the quality of farm produce.
Mohono said she is committed to ensuring farmers have access to contemporary agriculture mechanisation that would enhance their productivity in this competitive environment.
“I want to maximise and increase the potential net worth of the agriculture sector and improve its contribution to the agricultural sector,” Mohono said.
The head of the department further reiterated that without proper mechanisation, the development of the sector with smallholder black farmers as meaningful participants in the economy will be greatly affected, thus farmers will be compelled to change land use from agriculture to other lucrative non-agricultural uses.
“The implements were one way to address food insecurity, the mechanisation would increase household food production, Mokhatla said.
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The mechanisation beneficiary and soybean producer of the handover, Daniel Soya, said: “ I am very grateful to the department as the cost of mechanisation was not affordable. They contributed with mechanisation so that I can grow my own produce and maximise food security,” he said.
The implementation of agricultural mechanisation as part of the accelerated service delivery programme Thuntsa Lerole demonstrates a proactive approach towards addressing food insecurity and promoting economic development in North West.
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