05 Feb 2018

In an effort to revive small stock production and cattle breeding in the Kgalagadi District, renowned for excellence in small stock production, farmers have entered into a tripartite agreement with government to offer extension services to farming communities in the district at no costs.

In an interview during the Rural Development Council community service day held at Jacobs syndicate and Metsimantsi cattleposts on February 2, Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi said partnership between small scale farmers and those who have excelled is key to achieving the mandate of Lobu farm.

In order to nurture the partnership, government constructed two ablution blocks at each farm that would be utilised by the trainees during their practicals. 

He said the two identified farmers, Messer’s Giel Jacobs III and Dick Kotokwe would facilitate the outreach programme, as it would empower their clientele to participate in up-scaling agricultural sector that would adversely contribute to the economic growth.

He noted that the partnership would also upscale small farmers in the country as it would give them the leverage and value for their effort in small stock production.

Further, Mr Masisi urged the media to disseminate the relevant information in this regard in order to position the country as a model of success in agriculture.

For his part, Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia said their mandate as a ministry was to focus on combating hunger and poverty.

He said government took a bold step to resuscitate Lobu and other farms around the country as a way of promoting food security in the country.

He encouraged farmers to shift from subsistence farming to commercial farming for better and improved production.

He said the revitalisation of Lobu farm would have ample economic opportunities on the livelihoods of the five cluster villages around Lobu farm.

For his part, Mr Geil Jacobs III of Jacobs syndicate said they entered into a partnership with government in order to nurture youth and other existing farmers on the best small stock farming practices.

He said trainees would be hands on at the cattle posts rather than sitting in a classroom setup where they gain more of theory and less practice.

He said the outreach programme would assist the trainees to understand the ropes of productive farming.

Mr Jacobs III said farming has inspiring outcomes when practiced in the right way, and that it could serve as a source of income for many households.

Meanwhile, at Mentsimantsi cattlepost, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, also the deputy chairperson of Rural Development Council, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, said the country had not been self-sufficient in small stock production and cattle breeding.

“Therefore government took a bold step to enter into partnerships with local farmers in order to promote small stock production and cattle breeding,” he said. 

He noted that the move would help in the emergence of support industries such as Tsabong abattoir as there would be adequate supply for the abattoir.

In his comment, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale said government has over the years provided for the citizens through different assistance packages for them to live dignified lives.

He said the time has come for citizens to also participate in supporting government to fight the scourge of poverty.

Mr Molale said it was through partnerships on different programmes, where citizens could be empowered to be self-reliant and do away with dependency syndrome.

For his part, Mr Dick Kotokwe, Lobu alumni said he worked in the farm for a period of six years, and he was armed with rich knowledge, which he in turn used to enrich himself.

He said he utilised his passion in farming because when it collapsed he ventured into small stock farming, and kept Savanna breeds, Kalahari red and Boer goat. 

He pledged to assist government by transferring imperative farming skills to others for them to also stand a chance to enrich their farming practices. 

The tripartite partnership is expected to extend to other farms across the country. ENDS