By Matsobane Manaka, Belemu Ramafalo and Maphari Machaka
Entrepreneurs, potential entrepreneurs, and farming communities came together for entrepreneurship networking session.
The National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) in collaboration with Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) and Polokwane Municipality held an agripreneurship seminar at Jack Botes Hall, Polokwane on 14 November 2023.
The celebration came during the annual week celebration (12-18 November) that takes place in over 180 countries to promote entrepreneurship, raise awareness on the impact of entrepreneurs across the country. It encourages future entrepreneurs to make their dreams become a reality by starting their own businesses.
DALRRD, LDARD and Polokwane Municipality took advantage of the platform to address major challenges facing the agricultural sector and raise awareness on Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD), stock theft and market access for promotion of agricultural entrepreneurship.
Sherlly Molepo from Dialetsa Fruit & Veg, Mosima Molopa (extension officer) and Grace Mamabolo from Batumudi Co-operation, Ga-Molepo take pride by displaying their indigenous produce at Jack Botes Hall, Polokwane.
MEC Mokone said the sector fits very well into the entrepreneurship week as agriculture is not only a fundamental activity to sustaining human life but also a business with economic, financial and market driven aspects.
The MEC further emphasized that as the population continues to grow, the role of agriculture as a business becomes increasingly important in meeting food security, job creation and rural development goals.
The focus was also on the livestock sector (FMD – the impact and the control measures; the important of livestock identification and stock theft) since approximately 40% of the country’s livestock is managed by subsistence and small-scale farmers. MEC
James Tjale from Bokamoso Farmers Academy at Kraantzplaas village
The global entrepreneurship long-week featured activities such as culinary show, fashion show and Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) business seminar (which were built-up events) and agripreneurship, prize giving ceremony and my biggest blunder followed thereafter.
Vhasidzana Mulaudzi from Ramahwidi Farming and Projects Cooperative shows what they produce.
Emmanuel Mudau from Mathuba Genetics & Experimental farm brought his small stock to the seminar.
MEC Thabo Mokone interviewed ahead of the commencement of the seminar.
Johannah Sedibana, Julia Matlou and Mmaphuti Mailula from Atishang Khora project, Seiplas Ga-Matlala, who run layers production project, exhibit their produce.
Jojo Magongwa and Koena Hlahla from PK Farming, moyahabo Ramaloko from the Great Farming and Matlala Frans from Ricurs project, Mmamphulo, Ga-Matlala
