Question NW3923 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
13 December 2022 - NW3923
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With regard to her visit in Taung in the North West province in 2020, where she made commitments which were not implemented thus far, by what date will (a) the farmers of Taung see the implementation of the Farmer Production Support Unit model and (b) she (i) revamp and (ii) return the Lesedi stores to be used by farmers in Taung?
Reply:
(a),(b)(i)-(ii) DALRRD is unable to commit a specific date due to the following reason: in 2021, the Directorate: Rural Infrastructure Development within the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) in the North West Province planned to implement the first phase of the project by fencing the Old Lesedi Building premises and renovating the guardroom to enable DALRRD to provide security. Phase 2 of the project was planned to unfold in the following years. However, the plans for infrastructure for the implementation failed due to alleged illegal tenants occupying the Old Lesedi building, who refuse to move. The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is in the process of negotiating with the mentioned tenants.
However, an alternative site for livestock farmers was identified and some work was done such as paving of the access road into the auction pen site i.e. the identified Farmer Production Support Unit (FPSU) site; renovation of the existing two houses; drilling and equipping of the borehole; construction of the guard room for security personnel; construction of kraals for small stock and construction of the pavilion at the auction pen.
In terms of production and mechanisation support, DALRRD through the Directorate: Cooperatives and Enterprise Development facilitated the establishment of the Taung FPSU and has supported these farmers with the following:
- 98kw Tractor;
- 1 x small Lucerne baler;
- 2 x Lucerne mowers; and
- 3 x Lucerne rakes.
These implements were registered and are currently being used by the farmers in the Taung Irrigation Scheme. The above support amounted to R3 195 855.75 during the 2021/ 2022 financial year.