North West, Netherlands partner to develop farmers

This will be done through the Kgora Farmers Training Centre, which was launched in the current financial year, said North West Premier Thandi Modise during her State of the Province Address on Friday, 22 February 2013.

The aim of the centre is to ensure that farmers receive support from government and are adequately trained.

Giving her speech in Mahikeng at the provincial legislature, Modise said a learning model from The Netherlands Practical School would be used to teach farmers.

In addition to this, a Kgora training centre project for food security and empowerment for the vulnerable groups was also launched. It teaches communities how to grow their own food in order to encourage nutritious eating.

In November last year, the province launched the Aquaculture and Fisheries Programme.

This was done to promote fisheries and aquaculture. Six dams in the province are currently implementing the programme in partnership with Rhodes University.

In 2013, the province aims to work with the Departments of Water Affairs, Economic Development and Tourism to strengthen the programme.

Last year, Modise said she would look at the transformation of the Taung Irrigation Scheme. She revealed that 72 centre pivots were purchased and various machinery was allocated to farmers. A proper management scheme will be put in place.