The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has allocated R424.1 million towards farmer support and development during the 2026/27 financial year, with infrastructure, production support and agro-processing identified as priorities to drive agricultural growth and rural economic development.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
The allocation forms part of the department’s nearly R1.3 billion budget and was announced by MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, during his budget vote speech in Mahikeng this week.
Of the R424.1 million, R235.2 million has been allocated through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), which will fund infrastructure development, production inputs, extension services, training, project planning and market development.
The largest share of the CASP allocation, R153.1 million (61%), has been earmarked for infrastructure and production inputs, although R13 million has been reprioritised towards agricultural college infrastructure.
Other allocations include R36.5 million for extension and recovery services, R22.7 million for training and capacity building, R15 million for programme and project planning, R6.4 million for marketing and R1.5 million for information and knowledge management.
Sambatha said infrastructure investment will focus on livestock water provision and animal handling facilities on communal, state and privately owned farms across the province. Production support will help farmers procure essential inputs, such as seed, fertiliser and diesel, with particular emphasis on maize, sunflower and dry bean production.
He added that communal livestock development remains a priority in the Bojanala and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati districts.
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Diversifying agricultural production
The department will continue supporting producers involved in high-value and emerging commodities, including turmeric, saffron, castor oil, potatoes and rabbit farming, as part of its strategy to accelerate growth in strategic and labour-intensive agricultural industries.
Eight producers are expected to receive implementation support from the second quarter of the financial year, while approximately 23 enterprises will benefit from agro-processing support.
The programme will also include support for moringa and cannabis enterprises.
Sambatha said the future competitiveness of the province’s agricultural sector depends on strengthening agro-processing alongside primary production.
“The future of agriculture in the North West Province is not solely dependent on production; it also depends on value addition through agro-processing,” he said.
He said agro-processing has the potential to improve food security, create employment, expand markets and increase the profitability of farming enterprises, while enabling emerging and black farmers to participate more meaningfully across the agricultural value chain.
The department will continue working closely with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) to introduce technologies that reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality and encourage local processing of agricultural products.
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Strengthening the potato industry
The department is also expanding its Potato Enterprise Development Programme, launched in 2022 to increase potato production and encourage greater participation by small-scale and black farmers.
Although North West is one of South Africa’s 16 potato-producing regions, with approximately 3 000 hectares planted annually, Sambatha noted that potato production has declined gradually over time.
Working with the ARC, the department will continue assisting emerging farmers to establish sustainable two-hectare potato enterprises while developing Kgora as the province’s seed potato production centre.
He said the programme has provided valuable lessons on the importance of adequate farm infrastructure, farmer training and compliance with water-use regulations to ensure long-term sustainability.
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Expanding support for beekeepers
The department also plans to strengthen the province’s growing beekeeping industry after distributing 2 000 bee supers (short for “superstructures” – extra boxes on top of the main hive to give bees extra space to store surplus honey) during the previous financial year in partnership with the Mineworkers Development Agency (MDA).
Awareness campaigns were conducted across all four districts through the North West Bee-Keepers Association, while emerging beekeepers received assistance to attend national and international bee conferences.
The department also provided beehives, protective clothing and hive-making equipment to emerging enterprises.
Partnerships with the ARC, MDA and mining company Sibanye-Stillwater will continue during the current financial year, while the province is set to host the National Bee-Con 2026 in partnership with the South African Bee Industry Organisation (SABIO). At least 20 beekeepers from North West are expected to attend and exhibit at the conference.
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Improving communal livestock genetics
To strengthen communal livestock production, the department plans to distribute at least 71 breeding bulls during the current financial year.
The programme, implemented in partnership with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, will provide breeding bulls to traditional authorities, youth and women structures, military veterans and people living with disabilities.
In addition, Sibanye-Stillwater has donated 12 breeding bulls for communal farmers in Marikana through an agreement with the department. The provincial government has added two more bulls, bringing the total to 14, which are expected to be handed over during a public launch in July.
Sambatha also announced the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has contributed R54.36 million to improve communal livestock infrastructure following the challenges experienced during recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks.
The funding will be used to provide movable kraals, handling facilities, boreholes, crush pens, walk-in refrigerators and mobile cold rooms to strengthen livestock management, disease control and communal grazing infrastructure.
Sambatha said these investments demonstrate government’s commitment to building a more resilient, inclusive and competitive agricultural sector capable of improving food security, creating jobs and expanding opportunities for emerging farmers across the North West Province.
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