By Nape Masemola
Through infrastructure development, farmers appreciated the department that they will grow from their current farming operation to the next level.
Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) MEC Thabo Mokone had recently visited the Tafelkop Farmers Association Hereford Scheme to monitor the progress following the department’s intervention with funds to infrastructural projects.
The scheme is situated in Groblersdal, Elias Motsoaledi Municipality. Of recent, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa has handed over title deeds to 32 household including the scheme to continue with farming activities. LDARD has injected funds towards the infrastructural development from construction of dams, provision of bulk water irrigation scheme, construction of ablution facilities for each household, shade nets and bulk water supply.
Speaking during the briefing, chairperson of the scheme Jerry Sefoloshe applauded the on-going developments at the Scheme. He further acknowledged the role which the department has played by ensuring that farmers are better resourced and equipped to grow from their current farming operation to the next level.
Inside the net shade which was constructed through major infrastructure development programme
Sefoloshe highlighted that the goal for Tafelkop Farmers is to venture into export markets. He maintained that the infrastructure would carry them through to realise that goal. “It’s been a long and tough journey, but today we are able to see where we always wanted to be as black farmers from rural areas and all thanks to the department”, Sefoloshe said.
MEC Mokone expressed his satisfaction about the progress so far. But indicated that farmers should take advantage of the infrastructure by producing more quantities and qualities, accessing markets, creating job opportunities, and contributing to the economy and towards food security. He said this will make him happier. He continued that these farmers need to be capacitated with trainings to achieve the said objectives.
In his walk-about during physical inspection of the infrastructure, Mokone appealed to farmers to look after them and ensure that they are used optimally for the benefit of future generations.
Members of Tafelkop Farmers Association Hereford Scheme were urged to use the infrastructure to the benefit of the next generation.
MEC Thabo Mokone (right) and Harry Maboa (left) lead the team doing physical inspection of the infrastructure funded to Tafelkop Farmers Association Hereford Scheme by the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
