Efforts to instil an agricultural mindset in learners

Efforts to instil an agricultural mindset in learners

by | Jun 6, 2021 | atp1

Efforts to instil an agricultural mindset in learners
By Thozi kaManyisana
MEC for the department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) Nonkqubela Peiters hailed the relationship and partnership between private sector and government as “milestone in the development of rural people.”
Speaking during the award ceremony held in Mthatha for schools that are practising agriculture in the province, the MEC said the partnership between Vocadom, departments of education and DRDAR and commitment of OR Tambo District Municipality “completes” the district development model (DDM) where all spheres of government and private sector work together to support communities.
The sustainable living competition seeks to promote agriculture in schools as part of food security. It is also meant to build an agricultural foundation among learners More than 200 schools have participated so far.
“This partnership completes the DDM and is indeed the milestone in the development of rural people. If all spheres of government spheres are working together, it becomes easier for the private sector to invest and be part of the developmental programme,” the MEC said.
“It is befitting to award the schools today on the first day of June because we are paying homage to the Class of 1976 that led us to be free today. We need to walk the talk by coming up with the programmes that encourage youth.
“You cannot have a healthy mind in an unhealthy body hence the learners need to take this subject seriously and we need to work together with education department to ensure agriculture is taken seriously.”
MEC Pieters said government appreciates the work done by the private sector in supporting development, adding that Vodacom has come up with “a brilliant initiative that is appreciated because if you focus on education you are developing the country and the continent.”
OR Tambo District Municipality Mayor Thokozile Sokhanyile said: “Agriculture for rural communities is essential and if we start at school level, it will be massive hence as the municipality we will have a team that will be part of this initiative working directly with the Mayor’s Office,” she said.
Vodacom provincial managing executive Mpumelelo Khumalo praised the officials of DRDAR, who he said they have “worked hard together to ensure school kids are knowledgeable about producing food.
“It is fulfilling to work with government and as a private sector, we have a pivotal role to play because I believe as a collective we can do more. Our team is passionate about working with government and the good health and wellbeing of children is critical in the education hence this programme is close to our hearts,” Khumalo.
Committing Vodacom to continue to work with government, he said the introduction of technology in agriculture that includes access to markets or weather trends at the fingertips was “very essential to make agriculture smarter and the partnership with government is the pillar to drive the social development in our country.”
Department of Education director for school landscape management, revitalisation and rural education Amos Fetsha said at least 131 schools had participated in the programme where they seek to “instil and foster love for agriculture” from a young age through food gardens.
He said DRDAR came with its technical expertise and “brought light to the programme” where Vodacom supplied gardening tools and seedlings.
Vodacom has also supplied a first prize of a borehole, a second prize with revamping ablution facilities and DRDAR provided fencing as a third prize.
“We want to educate the nation about the importance of agriculture in economic growth and also the career of choice to young people,” he said.
Young cannabis farmer

Young cannabis farmer

by | May 24, 2021 | atp1

Financial breakthrough for young cannabis farmer

THE Eastern Cape government ,through its Isiqalo Fund meant to boost youth owned businesses in a bid to fight unemployment and poverty today handed over a cheque of R917 498 to a young cannabis farmer from the Nelson Mandela Metro.

Zozo Tshaka (33) is one of a few black youths who are licensed cannabis farmers in the countr. Tshaka is venturing into cultivation and agroprocessing of the cannabis plant.

Today, Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane and Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nonkqubela Pieters officially handed over the cheque to an elated Tshaka during the Preimer’s post SOPA engagements in the city.

The Gqeberha resident started off with an accounting degree at the Nelson Mandela University but switched to agriculture which she believed was “gold”.

She said she has been pursuing her cannabis business doing research on CBD oils and production and explore primary and secondary production of the commodity.

Upon receipt of the cheque, Tshaka couldn’t not contain herself, “I am so grateful for this fund as I took a step of faith leaving my profession starting something believing that it is gold”.

Her farming activities will be conducted in Elands Rivier in Uitenhage.

TARDI graduates

TARDI graduates

by | May 21, 2021 | atp1

Industry player sings praises about TARDI graduates

AGRICULTURE industry player Afrivet has sang praises to Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (TARDI) for the quality of graduates it produces and the impact they have made in the demanding sector since the two forged working relations in 2017.

TARDI began offering its three-year flagship diploma in Animal Health in 2015 and capped its first group of animal technicians in 2017 whom some of did their experiential training with Afrivet.

Today [May 20] the institute released another group of 51 animal technicians on a virtual graduation with limited physical attendance at TARDI’s dining hall.

Among the attendees were representatives from AgriSETA, Afrivet, Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) and the South African Veterinary Council.

Afrivet Director Vuyokazi Makapela said graduates from TARDI impressed across all respects relevant to their qualification on the field.

According to Makapela, Afrivet currently has more than 25 TARDI graduates on its learnership programme where they are receiving marketing, sales, entrepreneurship and extension services training.

“It’s inspiring to see what TARDI is doing as far as rural development is concerned. Their graduates are making a huge difference in developing subsistence farmers who are largely found in the rural areas to commercial livestock producers. They are playing a big role in improving the quality of livestock in the country as some of them are now working for established institutions,” said Makapela.

The first group of eight graduates who underwent Afrivet’s training also received their certificates in marketing, sales, entrepreneurship and extension services which are AgriSETA accredited.

Makapela said the graduates from the school have been the backbone of Afrivet’s Emthonjeni dip tank management project that is looking after 66 dip tanks in the Engcobo area.

“They can do almost everything under minimal supervision. They are able to identify diseases, recommend and even administer stock remedies,” she said.

The that received their qualifications today obtained a 100% pass rate in the eyes of the deadly coronavirus.

Principal at the school, Nandipha Ndudane attributed the success to co-operation among the TARDI community which includes the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Local Government and industry players like AgriSETA, Afrivet, Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) and South African Veterinary Council among others.

MEC for DRDAR, Nonkqubela Pieters added that partnerships between the private and public sector were imperative in the sustainability of the agricultural sector in the country.

“The agricultural sector is one of the anchors of our economy. The industry is the foundation of our livelihoods as it feeds and create employment for us all, which is why it is important for us to work together. These graduates are the human resource to carry the industry to greater heights –let’s make use of their skills even for the betterment of our subsistence farmers,” she said.

In this year’s graduation, Athandiwe Mnyanda was announced the best performing student.

Joe Gqabi staff to work harder in supporting farmers

Joe Gqabi staff to work harder in supporting farmers

by | May 7, 2021 | atp1

MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Nonkqubela Pieters urged the Joe Gqabi staff to work harder in supporting farmers to ensure that it continues to produce the best wool in the country.
She was speaking during a meeting with the staff where she was warmly welcomed by the staff who assured her that they will work with her to make the sector to appeal to young people.
“I will urge all those who have ideas to come so that we can come up with strategies as I may not know the lingo used by young people,” she said.
The MEC also spoke at length about creating an conducive environment for the staff to execute their duties. She added that the was no room for gender based violence that is rampant in the country.
Acting District Director Zimasa Nduna’s report gave detail of staffing and infrastructural development in the District.
Acting HOD Bongikaya Dayimani decried bleak expenditure trends in some districts saying it was “criminal” to underspend by almost half a million on food security in the midst of poverty in the country
“Just look at how many households you could have supported?”.
He encouraged staff members to tighten controls and avoid fruitless, irregular and wasteful expenditure.
opening of shearing shed

opening of shearing shed

by | May 5, 2021 | atp1

MEC Pieters officially handsover a shearing shed in Senqu Municipality
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nonkqubela Pieters today officially handed over a shearing shed in rural Dulciesnek in Sterkspruit.
The facility which has contributed hundreds of thousands to farmers in Sterkspruit and Hershel was funded by DRDAR to the tune of R1.1million. It includes a livestock handling facility and a dipping tank.
Speaking at the handover MEC Peters commended Senqu Local Municipality Farmers for producing the best quality of wool and undertook to look into their needs so as to enhance productivity in the area.
She encouraged farmers to use the programmes availed by government for livestock improvement.
“An amount of R8million has been set aside in the current financial year to fight sheep scab in order to improve the quality of wool and ensure that our farmers in the province produce the best quality”.
Despite not having a formal facility, the farmers in the area produced wool that earned them R342 000 in 2017, more than R429 000 in 2018, 201 000 in 2019, while the year of the Covid-19 pandemic earned them R446 000.
Xolisa Mtsila (33) one of the farmers who are part of the shearing shed said the facility was a “Dream come true. Thinking of where we come from, where we had to use a shed that was build with stones, we are grateful to the Department for this lifechanging facility.”
Mtsila said farmers used to operate without much knowledge until DRDAR extension officers offered them lessons on wool handling.
“We didn’t only receive training we also got assistance in livestock improvement e.g vaccination, Dohne Merino rams to improve our wool quality. The only thing we need from government is monitoring as we know when government is closer we get encouraged to work more and be successful in this farming business” concluded Mtsila.
The shearing shed currently has 47 members including 26 women, 10 youths and three people living with disabilities. It also shears a total number of 2309 sheep in the newly constructed shed.
In the previous shearing season 1734 sheep were shorn in March 2021 producing 30 wool bales with a revenue of R346 554,30 and 575 lambs were shorn in October 2020 producing 9 bales with a revenue of R100 012,07. A total of R446 566,37 was realised from wool production.
“This was our fore fathers’ dream to be wool farmers and we have achieved that, now we also want to leave legacy for our children as well and that is the reason we have pulled youth closer in this project. We also want this community to be known as the best wool producers in this region and that is where we are heading”, said Mzonjani Mgwalume (59) who is the chairperson of Dulciesnek shearing shed.
Meanwhile, Sakhele Soldeka a member of Gijima, an anti-livestock theft organisation said the only problem faced by farmers in the area was livestock theft.
He said during lockdown livestock thieves made off with hundreds of livestock, taking advantage of the lockdown regulations which prohibited movement at certain times.
He said: “We managed to go across to the mountains and came back with more than 330 cattle which were stolen. All of them had branding meaning they belonged to South Africans. We are really trying to participate in government call of vuk’uzenzele but there are people who practise vuk’uzothatha and they live among us.”