Newsroom

By Matsobane Manaka

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Nokuzola Capa appealed to women prioritisation in agriculture, calling for women empowerment through training and skills development.

This was during her official visit to four citrus packhouses: Naranja, Morone, Mahela and JP Citrus, located in Burgersfort, Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality in Limpopo.

The visit forms part of the broader initiatives to support farmers and their operations to ensure not only meeting health standard, but also contribute to growth in the industry, job creation and inclusive economic development.

Limpopo accounts to 40% of the citrus production in the country, thus according to Stats SA. The industry is one of the largest employers, created year-round and seasonal jobs to more than 100 000 farm workers, many of whom are women, and unskilled.  This industry chain, involves various role players, including growers, exporters, and hawkers who sell directly to consumers on the roadsides and at most road intersections.  

The four packhouses’ operations, which the visits meant to assess their quality assurance, featured the modern technology with advanced sorting and grading equipment. They are accredited and have the capability of handling large volumes of fruits for local and international markets.

Deputy Minister calls for localisation of trade to the extent of SADC countries to grow own economy, than facing the US tariff implications. She said, “agriculture is the real source of rural development strategy to grow the economy in our country”.

Deputy Minister Capa was accompanied by Head of Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) Mpho Mashamba, local traditional leadership, Councillors of the District and Local Municipalities, Citrus Growers Association CEO and the respective officials.