Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za
Graduates in Financial Management and Accounting should position themselves to be at the coalface of assisting emerging farmers with the finer nuances of managing the financial and bookkeeping aspects of their farming activities.
This appeal was made by Agriculture and Rural Development MEC, Joy Matshoge when addressing the Autumn Graduation ceremony of the Tshwane University of Technology’s Polokwane campus last Tuesday.
Matshoge said most emerging farmers in the province need help in bookkeeping and managing their finances.
“These are some of the areas that need attention in order for them to grow. Agriculture is one the pillars of the economy and it is our responsibility as the department to see to it that emerging farmers are empowered in increased food production. If graduates can share what they have learned with them, we can take agriculture in the province to greater heights,” Matshoge said.
She also said that those who have graduated in Information and Communication technology must use their knowledge to come up with systems that will make irrigation structures in the province more efficient.
“We want them to help in developing models that will demonstrate to our farmers the best methods of mitigating the vicissitudes of the water caused by global warming; design financial systems that will link our commercial farmers to international agricultural commodities markets and train our extension practitioners to use web and multimedia platforms in the daily practice of their trade,” Matshoge said.
