CHIEF DIRECTORATE: CORPORATE SERVICES
DIRECTORATE: COMMUNICATION SERVICES
MEC Mohono hails the involvement of women in the
agricultural sector
Tuesday, 21st August 2012
Mahikeng: The MEC for North West department of Agriculture and Rural Development Desbo Mohono says the meaningful contribution women are continuing to make in pursuit of food security and job creation, must be embraced and sustained. Mohono says women must in line with this year’s women month theme that seeks to raise awareness on achieving food security, fighting hunger and poverty, do everything in their power to make this vision a reality.
Appreciating the passion and efforts of women such as Mmakgejane Cetiso, a livestock and crop farmer from Jouberton township in Dr Kenneth Kaunda district who breeds sheep, pigs, dairy cows, broilers and African fowls, and produces vegetables and fruit, MEC Mohono says such commitment in agriculture must be nurtured and advanced.
Cetiso Project was realised following the acquisition of land through the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) programme in 2010, which Ms Cetiso developed with utter determination and diligence. She started with little, but through the department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) which seeks to provide post-settlement support to beneficiaries of land reform and to other producers who have acquired land through other private means, Ms Cetiso is today a proud owner of 30 sheep, more than 30 pigs, 5 dairy cows, 50 broilers and a variety of 30 African fowls.
“I am very obsessive about feeding the nation and food security, and hate to see people going to bed without food. I have therefore made it my responsibility to ensure that the produce from my 8.5ha plot is sufficient to respond to the needs of my fellow community members. I produce and sell spinach, cabbage, onion, raw and canned fruits at the township”, said Ms Cetiso.
Similar commitment in the agricultural sector is demonstrated by the performance of Bipanang Basadi, a crop production cooperative from Louisdal village, 60km south-west of Mahikeng who have since receiving the agricultural equipment from the department, ensured that their communal land is put under effective production.
Semellang Bomme, a group of ten women from Lehurutshe in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality who are beneficiaries of the department’s Nguni Cattle Development project, have also seen an opportunity in breeding this unique breed and seized it. They received 24 Nguni cows in 2010, and the number has today gone up to more than 64.
“The zealous performance shown by these and many other female farmers in our province, serves as testimony to the historical notion that suggests that women can never be detached from agriculture. As a department, we urge women to claim their space in this previously male dominated industry, and ensure that their contribution towards realising government’s Zero Hunger goals is felt”, says MEC for North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Desbo Mohono, who committed her department to ensuring that the needs of women, youth and people with disabilities are prioritised, in an effort to uncover more aspirant commercial female farmers.
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Issued by the Directorate Communication Services
Contact Person: Bonolo Mohlakoana (Ms)
082 901 2435 / 018 389 519
OR
www.nwpg.gov.za/agriculture
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