Agriculture plays a leading role in growing economy and creating jobs

The percentage contribution of Limpopo agriculture to national agriculture is 7.6% although its contribution to provincial GDP is just 2.3%.Agri—processing has enormous potential to expand in every sub sector.

Premier Mathabatha in his 2021/22 State of the Province Address said government will embark on programme of the revitalization of irrigation schemes, as part of the task to increase agricultural production and improve food security.

He says he’s pleased to report about the progress made on programme of the revitalization of irrigation scheme and the following are the good news to share with the citizenry of the province:

➢ The Mogalatšane Irrigation Scheme has planted over 80 hectares of cotton and 30 hectares of dry beans in 2020/21 planting season. The 2020/21 production season created 50 seasonal jobs.

Mathabatha further said with regard to commitment to develop value chains in respect of grain and cotton in Sekhukhune, vegetables in Mopani, red meat in Waterberg, and potatoes in Capricorn, He is able to report that:

➢ Red meat farmers on Tweefontein communal land under Mogalakwena red meat cluster, were assisted with livestock infrastructure, which include fencing, animal handling facilities and water source development;
➢ Immerpan farmers under Modimolle-Mookgopong red meat cluster, operating on a total 5,415 hectares received support to address the water problem on the farms.
• The support included water abstraction system and reservoirs, reticulation lines across the farms, and a multi-purpose facility for the storage of animal production inputs;
➢ The Witpoort Farmer Production Support Unit is expected to expand the support for these red meat farmers. The Farmer Production Support Unit will provide a cluster of services which include, livestock auction facilities, mechanisation services and training centre for the farmers;
➢ Government has completed phases 4 & 5 of infrastructure support for vegetable farmers in the Gravelotte, Selwane and Prisca cluster under Ba-Pahalaborwa Municipality;
➢ Masala Farmer Production Support Unit is currently at 90% completion, and it is expected to provide services to the farmers in this cluster and surrounding areas. The service relates to production inputs, mechanisation, value adding, training, marketing and technical advice, and;
➢ In Capricorn District government has provided support to four potato farming projects to support agricultural production and job creation.

“The revitalisation at Zebediela Citrus Estate, government has concluded a partnership agreement between Bjatladi CPA and Humansdorp Cooperative for the revitalization of the citrus orchard. Government is in partnership with the Impact Catalyst to develop a master plan for the sustainable development of the Zebediela Estate,”said Mathabatha.

He highlighted that the programme already managed to place 120 young unemployment agriculture graduates on commercial farms to equip them with practical experience.