Lareystryd - North West MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment Jan Serfontein is satisfied with the progress made by emerging farmers in the province.
Speaking to emerging farmers on Monday at the Lareystryd farm near Lichtenberg after visiting several farms in the Ngaka Modiri Distrct Municipality, the MEC said the progress on most of the farms was impressive.
"I am impressed with what I saw at the farms; the crops have grown and are well taken care of."
He said the farmers have done well and the department is proud to be support emerging farmers who are willing to help each other for the sake of improving farming in the province.
"You are doing a good job on your farms; we want to promise you that we will not stop giving you the support that you need to produce good crops. We want to encourage you to keep on working hard on your farms."
Last year, the department entered into a public private partnership with Noord - Wes Koporasie to support emerging farmers in the province.
About 83 farmers in the communities of the Ngaka Modiri Molema are benefiting from this project.
The department through its Directorate of Entrepreneurial Development contributed an amount of R20 million.
The project consists of an input finance programme which includes components such as market access, guaranteed long team average yield, hail insurance, frost insurance and other natural disasters.
MEC Serfontein emphasised that the partnership is a significant milestone in farming development and will also encourage farmers to adapt to good farming practices in order to enjoy the full benefits of farming.
Chairperson of the Noord - Wes Koporasie, Heinrich Kruger said they were excited to be part of the project which is intended to improve farming in the province.
"This is a good partnership that we intend to take forward by putting a lot of effort in and ensuring that it does not collapse.
"We are happy to see the progress made by most of the farms that have received support through this project," he said.
One of the emerging farmers, James Mokoto from the Makospan village, who owns 400 hectors of farming land, has received funding of R500 000 from the project.
He said previously he was struggling to get assistance, however, now through the programme he has managed to produce good crops and improve his farm.
"I am very impressed about the level of support that I received through the programme," he told BuaNews, adding that he plans to make his farm one of the best in the province.
Another farmer, Thando Lolwane from the Gelukspan village, who owns 650 hectors of land, received R1.9 million from the project.
He said he was pleased that the North West Government has helped them to start their farms.
The support, he said, was not only monetary but also included information about farming from experienced farmers in the province.
