05 Jun 2025

Completion of Mmathethe Agricultural Service Centrewill be funded during the 2025/2026 fiscal year. 

 District Crop Production Officer for Goodhope District, Mr Phetogo Molefi-Tshuma,  said in an interview that incomplete structure whose construction begun in 2016 had turned into a white elephant over the years. He also noted that the funding had however, renewed hopes of bringing services closer to the people.

 “The project has been funded to a tune of P5 million for completion and the procurement process is currently being conducted at the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture,” he said.

Mathethe is one of the 15 strategic localities across the country to house an Agricultural Service Center envisioned to enable farmers in rural areas access to services such draught power for their farming operations. 

He also mentioned also that Gumare centre had not been completed, whilst Jwaneng, Sefhare, Tonota were complete.

He said the centres were to serve as a hub for innovative farming practices, providing farmers easy access to quality agricultural inputs. 

Additionally, he said they would provide farm machinery and associated implements to arable farmers to expedite and improve on timeliness of tillage operations.

The centre will also facilitate skills transfer on proper utilisation and maintenance of farm machinery and associated implements, he said.

On the same note, he said  it was expected that commercialisation of arable agriculture would be facilitated through the centre as well as assist with provision of agricultural inputs.

Mmathethe West Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson, Ms Lulu Motlogelwa said the incomplete structure was now becoming a hub for criminals. 

 She said residents were now hopeful that the centre would be an additional development, create employment opportunities and bring services closer to the people.

On other issues, some residents were concerned by lack of updates and accountability from the area leadership, thus urging regular community updates on projects earmarked for the village. ENDS