By Matsobane Manaka and Maphari Machaka
MEC Nakedi Kekana in talk with Mashoto Ramafalo over assessment of the development at the Shadtonez Temong project.
MEC Nakedi Kekana expressed satisfaction for Senwabarwana farmers over creation of job opportunities, contribution towards the GDP and addressing the food security.
MEC Kekana was speaking during her visit to four projects - Nkukeng Vegetable Project, Shadtonez Temong, Selamolela and Sons as well as Mazeli Project on 04 April 2025, which the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) has invested infrastructure such as pack nets, centre pivots, reservoir dams, among others through Farmer Support Programme, to comply with local and global gap not only to maximize their production but their supply especially to locals including feeding schemes.
The projects, which are at the heart of potato belt in Capricorn District, mainly cultivate primary commodities such as potatoes, cabbages and relates cash crops and supply to big retailers and other markets outside the province. MEC has encouraged the localisation in order to grow local the GDP and further called for the Stats SA to capture the local GDP ratio to establish the growth.
The project visit was MECs on-going programme to assess the state of readiness towards the commercialization of the small holder and subsistence farmers. She was accompanied by Land Bank representative, Shanivha Maremane.
One of the reservoirs the department has assisted small scale farmers.
From left: A potato producer - Vincent Rapeta of Nkukeng project, MEC Nakedi Kekana and Ephenia Kekana at Rapeta’s farm.
Shadtonez Temong project owned by Mashoto Ramafalo is currently producing cabbage.
Andries Masoga’s farm recovered from black frost attack later last year.
Andries Masoga who operates under Mazeli farm produces potatoes and pepper dews among other crops.
MEC Nakedi Kekana (third from right) and her senior members from LDARD, as well as Shanivha Maremane (second from right) from Land Bank visit potato producer, Andries Masoga (fourth from right) operating under Mazeli at Avon, Bochum.
