20 Mar 2022

Farmers have been urged to hold consultative forums with farmers in order to engage extensively on challenges and opportunities surrounding food production and farming as a whole.

Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Mabuse Pule said this during a farm visits at Matlhage extension area in Mochudi region recently.

He said it was imperative to reduce dependency on other countries for food production adding that empowering local farmers was critical.

He said government was aware of other challenges faced by farmers such as lack of access road to food production areas and further stressed that government would work with relevant stakeholders to see how best the situation could be improved.

Kgatleng District Commissioner, Ms Kolobetso Sejakgomo encouraged farmers to use government programmes such as CEDA and ISPAAD for assistance or alternatively make use of platforms such as websites to familiarise themselves with developments made by such agencies.

Matlhage Farmers Association member, Mr Mpho Tsele decried lack of market for most small-scale farmers.

He said currently, he had about 20 rams but there was little to no market for them.  He encouraged fellow farmers to move away from being conservative and start commercial and smart farming in order to be successful in production. ENDS