By Pfumelani Tsedu
Forty-nine members of Tswelopele Irrigation Scheme (owned by community members of Praktiseer) were re-allocated 470 hectors (ha) of the farm by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) for revitilisation.
The move follows the collapse of their farming operations due to group dynamics or partnership that went wrong in the later stage.
New lease agreement with the department were signed at Fetakgomo-Tubatse Municipal Offices. A 30-year lease agreement has an option for re-renewal in terms of State Land Disposal Policy.
The 470-ha farm Praktiseer 275 KT is situated along Steelpoort river, outside Burgersfort town, Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality in Sekhukhune District. Before the farming operations plummeted, this Secondary Co-operation became envy to similar industry players as they used to produce high quality crops such as maize, potatoes and cotton.
Tswelopele Irrigation Scheme re-start afresh with the conditions that each member must have individual responsibility in the fam but work together to avoid re-occurrence of the past.
In the interest of undergoing full production and creating job opportunities, Tswelopele Irrigation Scheme’s new arrangement was created in a way that each member must have individual responsibility in the farm but work together. This effort aims to put measures in place to avoid re-occurrence of the past.
To strengthen the commitment, DALRRD prior to have the Scheme signed the lease agreement have conducted a workshop to acquaint the members with the content, terms and conditions of the contract over the period of two years. Among the conditions include the use of the farm, payments, maintenance and repairs, termination, sale of property and option to purchase.
The resuscitation of the farm was part of the government intervention process to address the high levels of unemployment and poverty in the district of Sekhukhune since it was classified as among the 27 poorest in the country’s districts.
The chairperson of the Scheme extended the appreciation by all participating entities to ensure that the deal was finalised.
