North West MEC for Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ), Manketsi Tlhape, has urged Extension and Advisory Officers (EAO) to continue serving the farming communities with diligence.
Tlhape made a call during the 2nd National Extension and Advisory Services Awards (NEASA) held in Mahikeng, North West on Tuesday.
Hosted by the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), in partnership with READ, the awards promote and create awareness about the imperative role Extension and Advisory Services (EAS) play in the entire agricultural, forestry and fisheries’ development.
It further highlights the contribution of EAS to attain some of the targets contained in the National Development Plan of contributing significantly to the reduction of unemployment.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tlhape acknowledged the EAO for the hard work they are doing to help those in need of their services to increase agricultural production.
“We see the hard work and dedication you are putting on your daily work. With these awards we are saying thank you and continue serving our farming communities with great diligence,” Tlhape said.
Congratulating award recipients, DAFF Deputy Minister Sfiso Buthelezi said that extension services, as a rural support service is at the centre of all government entities.
“EAS has been realised to have the potential in playing critical roles in improving the livelihoods and well-being of rural and urban people worldwide. The service would also enable rural people to maximise their contributions to sustainable national, regional and global development.
“The awards we are having tonight are a testimony of a professional service. In setting high standards to improve performance and service delivery, the professionalisation of EAS was promoted,” Buthelezi said.
Buthelezi also thanked all the sponsors for their contribution.
Recipients of the awards in various categories are:
- Top performer in the category of Agricultural Advisors is Rendani Murovhi from Limpopo;
- Top performer in the category of Senior Agricultural Advisors is Sizwe Mthethwa from KwaZulu-Natal;
- Top performer in the category of Specialist Agricultural Advisors is Shumane Richard Tsogo from North West;
- Top performer in the category of Supervisor is Nkotsana Ruben Maakamedi from Limpopo;
- Top performer in the category of Support Services is Johan Mackson Sambo from Mpumalanga; and
- Sizwe Mthethwa from KwaZulu-Natal walked away the Top performer in the category of Support Services and Overall winner.
The winners received prize money, awards and certificates. – SAnews.gov.za
