Department meets with emerging farmers in Mpumalanga
“We have since realised that we cannot afford to plan, as a department, without working with the people for who we are planning.”
The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs’ head of department, Mr Lucky Monareng, began a series of meetings with emerging farmers in all four districts of Mpumalanga.
The aim was to hear from farmers what their challenges and concerns are regarding the service rendered to them by the department.
Mr Monareng met with emerging farmers from Gert Sibande District on Tuesday, 17 July after meeting Ehlanzeni District farmers on Friday, 13 July.
A similar meeting took place on 20 July in Middelburg with emerging farmers from the Nkangala District.
These engagements, according to Mr Monareng, will benefit his department to align its plans and priorities with the real needs of the farmers.
“These interactions will also help to improve the working relationship and ultimately the level of service delivery to farmers in general, no doubt about that. We have since realised that we cannot afford to plan, as a department, without working with the people for who we are planning. So, we want a new way of doing things,” said Mr Monareng.
As expected, farmers poured their hearts out, voicing their concerns on issues that included the government’s nutrition programme, market access, illegal dumping sites, and invasive plants.
They also requested the department to assist with mentoring and training, especially of livestock farmers, technical advice and regular capacity building workshops.
Most farmers in the Gert Sibande District also raised concerns over fencing of grazing land, land for farmers who are on lease contracts, and mechanisation support for emerging farmers who are about to graduate into commercial farming.
They also spoke of post-settlement support to land reform beneficiaries. The farmers applauded the department’s steps of changing the former Marapyane and Elijah Mango Colleges into farmer training centres.
These centres are aimed at assisting emerging farmers with technical skills and the latest technology used in agriculture, and target disadvantaged women and the youth who cannot afford to study at tertiary institutions.
“Marapyane began operating earlier this year after MEC Shongwe relaunched it in December, and work is at an advanced stage to re-open Elijah Mango as a farmer training centre soon,” added Mr Monareng.
