By Maile Matsimela
Farming cooperatives are socio-economic vehicles to achieve sustainable development goals. However, most end up becoming a statistic of failure.
One of the causes of this pattern of failure is members’ internal conflicts, which contribute to the demise of a cooperative.
Limpopo agriculture MEC Nakedi Kekana acknowledged this fact when she met with farmers in Moutse in the Sekhukhune district, under the Bantwane Tribal Council, to discuss a range of pressing concerns affecting the agricultural community in the area.
The MEC warned about the impact of inter-community conflicts within cooperative structures, saying they often create barriers to effective service delivery.
She stressed the importance of a united community as an essential element for the successful implementation of programmes that aim to improve the agricultural sector.
The MEC highlighted the necessity for the farming community to work together, particularly in navigating the complexities of government support, and emphasised that political leadership is pivotal in bridging these gaps while staying within the framework of the South African Constitution.
The meeting, which was requested by the farmers, focused on their challenges, particularly the lack of support, skills and training from the relevant governmental departments.
These issues have hindered the development of agriculture in the region, despite the potential of this area consisting of 28 villages and approximately 600 livestock farmers.
Kekana emphasised the government’s commitment to addressing these challenges but stressed the importance of community cooperation in overcoming them.
In addition to the issues of training and support, farmers raised concerns about stock theft, a persistent problem in the area. MEC Kekana recognised the efforts made by the Department of Transport and Community Safety to address this crime and praised their engagement with local farmers to this end.
She also shared the department’s plan to introduce brand marking as a deterrent to stock theft, reinforcing the government’s role in ensuring the protection of farmers’ assets.
This initiative is seen as crucial to maintain trust in the agricultural sector, with the ultimate goal of boosting agri-economics in the area and securing the livelihoods of local farmers.
The farmers expressed their appreciation for the MEC’s visit, recognising it as an important step toward improving the agricultural prospects of the area.
They also acknowledged the valuable work done by Extension Officers, who have played a key role in providing guidance and support.
The MEC, in turn, encouraged both the department officials and farmers to ensure future training programmes and workshops are tailored to the specific needs of the Moutse community.
“This personalised approach will not only improve the skills of the farmers but also ensure the interventions are relevant and effective in fostering long-term growth,” remarked Kekana.
In closing, she said while the government is committed to supporting the agricultural sector in Sekhukhune, it is equally vital for the farming community to unite and actively engage in the development of the sector.
Her call for cooperation underscores the constitutional principles of collaborative governance and local empowerment, aiming to create a sustainable and thriving agricultural economy in the region.
By fostering unity, support and targeted interventions, MEC Kekana hopes to bring about meaningful change for the farmers of Moutse and enhance the agricultural landscape of the area.
