New unit to bolster farming opened in Sekhukhune
Vleischboom
The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Angela Thokozile Didiza, joined by the Mayor of Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM), Cllr Merah Mahlase, have on Sunday 21 April, officially unveiled the Vleischboom Farmers Production Support Unit (FPSU) at Vleischboom Village outside Jane Furse.
The multi-million-rand facility, which was approved at a cost of R30 Million by the national Department of Agriculture in 2018, is set to support local farmers and agricultural production activities across the district municipality.
Vleischboom FPSU was chosen to service crop farmers in the area after the district was identified as a crop belt in Limpopo Province.
In her welcoming address, Mayor Mahlase pointed out that the new facility should be accessed and utilized equally by all crop farmers and agricultural Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to position the district and all local municipalities as the key role players and contributors of the economy.
“Government has invested this resources to help address scarcity of food distribution and to minimise cost of basic foods,” she said.
In her keynote address, Minister Didiza highlighted that the initiative is one the fruits of the democracy and new to black communities.
“The FPSU will provide black agri-business with entrepreneurial skills and support to local formers, at the same time it will serve as an equal opportunity to the entire farming community,” she said.
She said the FPSU is providing logistical and operational support to cooperatives and crop farmers near it.
“The construction was necessitated by the need to provide support and access to market for crop farmers within Sekhukhune District,” Didiza said.
About 2949 Maize and Vegetable farmers within the 60km radius are projected to benefit from the project.
The hand-over ceremony was also attended by MMC Kanana Leokana who was representing the Executive Mayor of Sekhukhune District Municipality Cllr Minah Bahula, together with the District Municipality Speaker, Cllr Kgwediebotse Chego, ChiefWhip, Cllr Mosedi Thamaga and several Councillors.
