MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 10 October 2007
DACE awards farmers for managing Land responsibly.
Vryburg - The North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment in the Bophirima District has recognised farmers’ efforts ofusing sustainable land practices responsibly by awarding honours to agricultural projects that did well in the Landcare programme. The honoured projects are part of the Land Care programme.
The programme’s main objective is to improve and conserve the condition of natural resources in the Province. This is done through various reclamation techniques and management systems for increased animal and crop production. It is also intended to enhance the productivity and sustainability of resources resulting in greater productivity and food security.
About 20 projects participated in this programme. Presenting prizes to the best performers, Mr Thabang Tseladimitloa, Chief Director for District Services said the department has so far spent over R7m of the allocated budget of R8m from 1998 to 2004/05 financial year and through the farmers’ commitment, the results are good.
Overall winners were the Maketlele Landcare Project who won in the category for Best Communal Project. The Watervoorsien won the category for Best Morafe Ranch Project while Kganung project won the Best Herd Management Strategy category. They each won a mobile scale and a fire fighting kit valued at R41 000.
“The Maketlele project was the first project to demonstrate to farmers the effect of controlled year-long resting periods on the production of their veld. They actively participated in the process of veld monitoring since 1998 and the rangeland condition has improved significantly at Maketlele ever since”, explained Tseladimitloa.
According to Tseladimitloa, since 1998, the Bophirima District has established a track record in implementing the Landcare programme and has performed well so far. Some of its achievementsinclude the rehabilitation of dongas and reclamation of land for agricultural purposes which were previously a problem in the district.
“The approach implemented in 2006 which was mainly to invest in farmers and youth, has yielded positive results. Partnerships were forged with the Tigerkloof education institution, the University of North West, traditional leaders, government departments and local municipalities to drive this”, explained Mr Tseladimitloa.
The Watervoorsien project which won the category for Best Morafe Ranch Projectis located in an area where there is an unreliable water supply and this makes it difficult to implement effective farming practices. Despite this, the project has organised themselves into an effective management team where they practice acceptable herd and grazing management strategies. This is a project with the best commercially oriented enterprise and the production of quality beef for the commercial market.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Naledi Munipality Executive Mayor, Ruth Mompati said this was the best return for the investment the Department has made in terms of funding, training and capacity building. She further urged farmers to have pride in them and show self confidence in their achievements.
“Though government provides assistance to farmers, it is now time to show that you can be independent when government support is withdrawn. The farmers today have confirmed that they can thrive on their own and this is testimony to the awards they have won”, she said.
There was also a Junior Landcare march on the day where youth from different schools marched in the streets of the Vryburg town to spread the Landcare message with the aim of improving the overall awareness of communities in the area.
End
Issued by DACE Communication Directorate
Contact: Ms Lesego Mncwango
Departmental Spokesperson
078 459 5981 / 018 389 5768