MEC Jacob Marule embarked on series of consultative meetings with officials and farmers across all five districts in the past three months. His last leg of visits was at Ga-Seleka village, Waterberg District where he met farmers on 5 July 2012.



The aim was to share challenges facing both the Limpopo Department of Agriculture (LDA) staff and farmers in search of ways in which service delivery could be improved in the agricultural sector. Staff meetings were separate from the farmers’ with the former addressed with the assistance of senior officials of his Department.  

In his meetings with farmers, he literally campaigned for farmers from the disadvantaged communities to return to farming. He constantly pleaded,“Batho a re boeleng temong ka go re lehumo letswa mobung” which translates “People, let us go back to farming because wealth comes from the soil”.

Farmers’ concerns centred on hefty electricity bill, access to market, lack of water, flooded schemes, livestock feed, grazing land, utilisation of more water by miners, infrastructure and implements. He vowed to capacitate Tompi Seleka and Madzivhandila Agricultural Colleges, provide fencing, engage with other departments such as Water Affairs and Rural Development and Land Affairs on issues of water and land as well as municipalities and traditional leaders.

The MEC said farmers should opt for cooperatives. Marule indicated that this could make it simple for the LDA to distribute implements and financial support to farmers. Emerging farmers would become commercial if they adopted the cooperative model. He used Italy and Kenya as examples, saying Italy is having eight million members who formed cooperatives and make a turnover of R770 billion while 60% of national budget in Kenya derives from cooperatives.

He encouraged farmers to partner with the department on agricultural development issues to strengthen farming to alleviate poverty. MEC also promised to assist wherever he possibly could. But cautioned farmers that he operates in a string-shoe budget which could make it impossible to meet the needs of all farmers in Limpopo at the same time.

Mr Jack Moloko Maeko, Mayor of Lephalale Municipality said he would encourage local communities particularly caterers to buy produce from local farmers as a way of promoting the local market. Mr Simon Mnguni of Mathuze Community Trust in Stofberg, Mopani District had appreciated the 22 Nguni cattles received from the department

Some farmers thanked the LDA for assisting them in the purchase of land and infrastructure, amongst them; Ms Sebotsana Martha Selamolela from Waterberg District (land beneficiary), Ms Hloki Sebola Ngwanetsi and Mr Benet Shilubana (both poultry farmers in Mopani District).