By Obed Makgoale & Pfumelani Tsedu
Frank Makgopela Monaheng with tractors donated by DALRRD towards his project.
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has undertaken a media tour to an inspection visit to Mora Farming Project (Portion 2 of the farm Langkuil 491 KR and Portion 8 of the farm Merinovlakte 495 KR) located in Bela-Bela Local Municipality, Waterberg District.
The visit was to witness the success stories of DALRRD PLAS Programme, which is unusual where small holder farmer’s transition to full commercial practice.
The 1060 hectares (ha) to the tune of R14, 8 million which was acquired through PLAS/LRAD Programme, is currently leased for 30 years to Mora Farming Project as family business.
The project grows crops and farm with livestock.
The project got a major boost from DALRRD in 2020 where it was injected with the infrastructure, mechanization and production inputs. This is in addition to business management training and mentorship. The project grew in leaps and bounds where around May 2021, it sold tons of sunflowers harvested right in the field to the local sunflower oil producer. Additionally, the project sold some small stock such as goats and sheep to the nearby communities of Ngobi, Pankop, Tloonane, syverskuil, radium and owners of the local lodges.
Monaheng re-invested the profit made in his farm by purchasing additional equipment and livestock. The activities on the farm created employment to local community.
Asked what motivated him. “I am contributing towards food security, unemployment, and alleviation of poverty and that is my daily motivation”, said Monaheng in his respond.
Monaheng is keen to work towards officially securing the title deed for the farm in near future.
