How agriculture impacts Ward 100
The investment was done to encourage economic development in Ward 100, as agriculture affects global trade at a high scale because it directly impacts other sectors of the economy, providing job opportunities and encouraging economic development.
Ward 100 Clr Johannes Bekker invested time over a couple of months to research and be trained in a variety of agricultural options ranging from aquaponics, hydroponics and traditional agriculture.
The investment was done to encourage economic development in Ward 100, as agriculture affects global trade at a high scale because it directly impacts other sectors of the economy, providing job opportunities and encouraging economic development.
Ward 100 is known as the agricultural hub of Gauteng and Bekker’s vision was to re-establish the area as a source of employment through food provision.
Agriculture is the practice of farming, which includes preparing the soil for the growth of crops and nurturing animals to provide food, wool and other important and useful products.
“Agriculture is essential for any society to feed the population. It plays a vital role in the growth of the economy of any country and its development. Since agriculture is considered a provider of food, human existence depends directly on it, ” said Bekker.
When questioning people about their thinking of agriculture, they often think of farms or lands where crops are grown.
Bekker said, “We need to rethink how we farm and enhance the future by adding aquaponics and hydroponics as these forms of agriculture ensure that everyone has access to food, regardless of where they live or their economic status.”
Another reason why agriculture is important is because it maintains social order.
“When everyone is dependent on one another for food and other necessities of life, a sense of cooperation develops in people. This gives them a sense of responsibility because they realise the importance of agriculture and know without agriculture, they won’t be able to feed people and destroy this social order.
“Agriculture unites people and helps form society itself. Therefore, to ensure people have a way to get food and other resources, everyone needs to cooperate as one society to sustain the agricultural land,” said Bekker.
Agriculture also helps in balancing the ecosystem because it provides food and shelter for animals, regulates water resources, and restores degraded areas.
“The agricultural industry is considered one of the biggest sources of employment. Whether it’s working as a farmer, harvester, technician for farm equipment, scientist, or any other form of employment, agriculture provides employment opportunities to a huge number of people and reduces unemployment and poverty.”
