The department of agriculture in North West will in the coming weeks visit all four districts as they set to embark on a process of verification of its farmers. The aim of the initiative is to understand the size, scale, and mode of operations of small-scale farmers across the province.
MEC Desbo Mohono said the visitations to smallholder farmers by the department are aimed at aligning the focus areas between the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan and the provincial agriculture refocus strategy.
Information update
“Smallholder farmers are critical role players in the growth of our economy. I am therefore calling on all farmers to cooperate with our officials who will be collating this data as it will help the department in its planning.
“We recognise the importance of smallholder farmers and their contribution to improving the livelihood of our people and to the economic growth of our province,” she said.
Mohono said it was critical for the farmers across the length and breadth of the province to register on the departmental database so that they could easily be identified for opportunities when they come up.
Cooperation needed
“We are making a clarion call to our farmers to open their doors to our field officials, they will be easily identifiable to ensure legitimacy and avoid risks of farms security breach.
“The information that will be obtained will enable government support as well as monitor the performance of farmers, helps identify successes as well as failures and indicates where more concerted action is required to rectify deficiencies.”
Mohono added that it is important that the department at all times have the correct information of their client base as that will assist the provincial government as to where and who farms with what.
According to Mohono, the verification initiative is expected to run until the end of the year so that the department prepares well for the upcoming financial year.
Creating sustainable jobs
In her budget vote early this year, Mohono said her department was setting aside an amount of R 1.2 billion for the 2023/24 financial year for farmer development and creating 4 000 jobs through agriculture.
At the time, Mohono said with the rising unemployment in North West, especially among young people, it was important that agriculture take centre stage in creating sustainable jobs.
“There will also be Landcare green jobs and rural development to contribute mainly through expanded public works programmes, rural infrastructure projects, and farmer training which includes mentorship,” she said.
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