NW farmers welcome new agriculture dept

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Mafikeng - Farmers in the North West have welcomed the new provincial Department of Agriculture Conservation and Rural Development.

Newly elected MEC Boitumelo Tshwene will head the department which was previously known as the Department of Agriculture Conservation and Environment.

Speaking to BuaNews on Thursday, Chief Executive Officer of Agriculture North West, Boeta du Toit, said they welcomed the changes made in the department and were looking forward to working with the new MEC.

"We do accept the changes which have been made in this department and hope that we will have a good working relationship with the new MEC and the department as a whole," he said.

Mr du Toit further said they were hoping for the best and wish that the new administration will do more in improving the farming conditions in the province.

Farmer Gideon Morule, 63, from Ramatlabama village told BuaNews that he also welcomed the changes made in the department including the appointment of the new MEC.

"We wish him all the best in his new job and promise that we will support him in every good idea that he brings to the farming sector," he told BuaNews.

Mr Morule highlighted that the new MEC must focus on improving emerging farmers in the province.

"We need support from the department as farming forms part of the sector that contributes to the economy of the province.

"We will be more than happy if the new MEC puts his effort in making sure that farmers are well taken care of," he said.

Another farmer, Seipati Mokone, 67, a member of the National African Farming Union from Putfontein also hailed all the changes made in the department.

She told BuaNews that she was confident that the changes will bring new development in the farming sector.

"I do accept all the changes that come with the new administration. I hope that the new MEC will address the main challenges that we face as female farmers," she said, adding that he must address the issue of empowering women in the farming sector.