By Maphari Machaka and Maite Theka
The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) has honoured and acknowledged People with Disability in Agriculture (PDARD), who continue to create jobs, food security and contribute towards economic development at Bolivia lodge on 5 December 2023.
According to Thomas Kgapane, Chairperson of PDARD, projects that are currently active are owned by their 606 members. This translates that thousands of much needed jobs are created by those projects.
To keep these projects sustainable and even growing further, Joyce Ndhukula advised farmers to have record keeping in their operations.
Joyce Ndhukula from LDARD explained the importance of recording every activity that is taking place in the farm – thus record keeping. She indicated that record keeping include the number of livestock in the case of animal production, the mortalities, feed intakes (nutrition and supplements), vaccination programme (disinfection and sanitation), equipment (structure and water trough), biosecurity and hygiene (general diseases control), management (separation and animal identification and stock records).
Ndhukula said keeping records is the only way that the farmer can pick up mistakes and the formula that can show whether the production system is effective/ profitable or not.
Presenters from Eskom also advised farmers on how tariffs work and how to navigate through to go a long way in saving electricity in their farming practices. While the Department of Employment and Labour advised them on the procedures to follow when registering their workers in line with Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
LDARD strives to promote the rights and well-being of Persons with Disability in Agriculture in line with government policies to secure food security.
