THERE is need to package and market agriculture as a cool industry so as to win more young people in the food production industry.

This was the message from rural, environmental and agricultural development MEC, Manketsi Tlhape at the Youth in Agriculture awards held in Lichtenburg yesterday.

Tlhape awarded five youth who shown above their peers in their various agriculture activities.

“We encourage the youth to be part of revolution. They can make a lot of money within the industry. So the time is now for you to get your hands dirty. The majority of the youth regard agriculture simply not cool or attractive.

“Mostly think of it only as back-breaking labour. However the industry economical pays-off. There is also a room for career advancement. With an ageing population of farmers, it’s clear that agriculture needs to attract more young people,” Tlhape said.

The MEC added: “We have empowerment programmes towards youth and women. We also transformed the agriculture sector. The 40% of what we allocate benefits youth and women. We have also resuscitated our program within our agricultural department which is YARD.

“In every allocation we make, I intervene to make sure 40% is available to projects run by youth and women. We are having these awards to recognise those who showed effort in the industry,” she said.

Tlhape pointed out that young people need to understand that they need to inherit a sector currently dominated by white farmers.

She said the agriculture has been put at the apex of the triangle to drive the economy of the province.

“We always make sure that we give the necessary support to those micro farmers. We are aware that there was an African Swine Fewer outbreak in Schweizer Reneke. We are working closely together with relevant authorities to manage that.

“We also visited Madikwe Game Reserve after TB uncertainty amongst buffaloes. So we want to advise our people not to eat any dead animals or sell them as that could create complications amongst their health,” she said.

Premier Supra Mahumapelo said that food production is becoming a global challenge and the youth have to play a role in this critical sector.

“We can never go wrong if we invest in agriculture. I agree that we have raw minerals in North West. However we cannot rely or invest in platinum. The industry is not within our reach, but we need food in daily basis.

“So let us invest in agriculture. The exodus of rural youth means fewer small-scale farmers tomorrow. We need to change that mindset and bring in those who have potential and drastically want to change the profile of farming,” he said.

Those who won said it is very encouraging to receive the needed support from the department.

Dirang  Mmogo Business Enterprise from Klerksdorp won R30 000 as overall winners. The co-founder, Patrick Mazinyo said they highly-appreciate the support they received from the department.

“Agriculture sector needs patience. One can make a lot of mo. However that comes with a price. We started our company back in 2003 and we are still striving. We won R30 000 and we will continue to produce more products,” he said.

Other winners were Piggery (PTY) LTD from Dr Ruth Mompati region scooped the best youth Agro Processing. Isagwe Solutions emerged as Best Innovative Enterprise while Taje Farming also won Best Youth Enterprise.

-TDN

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