Means explored to improve agriculture in Ephraim Mogale
MARBLE HALL – During the recent Agricultural Investment Summit organized by the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, Mayor Given Moimana highlighted that the diverse gathering was dedicated to setting a new economic growth path to enrich the local municipality’s agricultural landscape, transfer skills, implement agro-processing and provide funding to emerging farmers to tackle poverty, unemployment and inequality.
The agricultural summit discussed funding for emerging farmers, public-private partnerships, agro-processing and the creation of an agricultural master plan to achieve the municipality’s vision of becoming a “World-class agricultural hub”.
Industry players who attended the summit included Rural Development, UCanGrow Africa, National Youth Development Agency, Sekhukhune Development Agency, Local Economic Development Agency, Small Enterprise Development Agency, Red Meat Industry Services, Agri-Limpopo, AFASA, National Movement of Rural Women, First National Bank, Piet Engelbrecht Trust and commercial farmers from Marble Hall and Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality. Sekhukhune District Municipality also formed part of the initiative.
First National Bank committed to provide funds for emerging farmers and commercial farmers offered to avail experiential learning and incubation programmes while the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development pledged to help with access to water and land. The municipality committed to provide farming spaces through Local Economic Development department.
The summit was held under the theme: “Advancing Agricultural Investment for Sustainable Growth”. Central to discussions was the future of agriculture in Ephraim Mogale.
The Mogalatsane 35ha Center Pivot and 40ha sprinkler irrigation, Mashasha Farm with animal handling facilities and Cotton Farmers that plough and plant 35ha with seeds, fertilizers and chemicals are projects identified to benefit from support mechanisms.
The private partnership support extends to Schoonbee Farm with Peace Table Grape project at Moganyaka Village, Piet Engelbrecht Trust: Kopanong Citrus and Mogalatsane Irrigation Scheme as well as the Jan Terreblance: Dichoeung Irrigation Scheme.
