MEC JOEMAT-PETTERSSON HANDS OVER LAND TO FEMALE FARMERS

EMBARGO: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 31 AUGUST 2004: 16H00

The Northern Cape’s MEC for Agriculture and Land Reform, Tina Joemat-Pettersson handed over 25 ha of irrigable agricultural state land to ten women of the Bonita Park Women Forum near Hartswater. The farm is situated in the vicinity of Magogong outside Hartswater. Today’s ceremony marked the end of government’s Women’s Month activities. The beneficiaries of the project are expected to commence their venture with cotton, lucerne and groundnut planting in October 2004. A further 10 ha will soon be added to the 25 ha.

The Department has already disposed state land worth R20 million over the last 3 years and is expected to accelerate the pace of commercial agricultural state land amid strong calls that were made by MEC Joemat-Pettersson at the handing over ceremony. The MEC also indicated that the beneficiaries would benefit from the Department’s Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). Funds from CASP would be used for upgrading of the existing infrastructure such as canal, fence, dam and renovation of the farmhouse. The amount to be spent is estimated at about R270 000.

“ Agriculture is the linchpin of the economic empowerment of women in the Northern Cape hence we are duty-bound to accelerate the pace of productive land that would give rise to model projects. We will further target land on our Research stations to advance this noble ideal of empowerment through sustainable agriculture. A training plan and the provision of economic services will be linked to all land allocations,” said the MEC. END

Source : Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reform Enquiries: Thabo Mothibi @ 083 255 8840 / tmothibi@grand.ncape.gov.za/Sipho Mbaqa – 053 8389100