By Muifha Tshifhiwa
Vhembe North Agro-Ecological Zone held an annual three-day livestock conference at Tshipise. This follows the convening of an annual crop farmers conference late last year. These yearly conferences serve as platform to empower farmers to become part of the economic participants in the up-coming establishment of Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ).
The initiative by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), championed by the Limpopo leadership to industrialise the province, is meant to attract foreign direct investments, and serves as a vehicle for international trade that will drive the economic development. The world class facility will be equipped with electricity, water, roads, and transport.
Acting Director for LDARD Vhembe District Mariba Masindi urges local farmers to work towards making the province food secured.
The conferences prepare and encourage farmers to align their farming activities that will respond to the need arising from the MMSEZ. Hence Mathobo Tshilidzi, agro-processing and manufacturing sector specialist, had re-assured farmers that they will be direct beneficiaries due to the vast developmental plans of the MMSEZ, which is centred on agriculture and its value chain.
In his presentation on Revitalization of Agriculture and Agro-Processing Value Chain (RAAVC), Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (LDARD) Livhebe Nkhumeleni, deputy director for Agri-Business made assertion that the initiative looks into broadening and increasing participation of black producers in the agricultural value chain both in the domestic and export markets.
Maitemogelo Mafa, agricultural advisory in her presentation on Farmer Support Policy, reminded farming community to take advantage of the support programmes that will ensure learning and growth opportunities. This is in line with government’s commitment to create an enabling environment.
Other Sector departments, State Owned Entities, Medium and Large privately owned companies presented their support packages including financial support packages to the farmers.
Acting Director for LDARD Vhembe District Mariba Masindi encouraged farmers to work towards making the province food secured.
