NORTH WEST — Farmers and Communal Property Associations (CPAs) in Tigane, near Klerksdorp, are set to significantly boost local food production and security following the provincial government’s delivery of essential agricultural machinery. This strategic intervention directly addresses the historical lack of mechanisation access for small-scale and emerging farmers in the North West province.
North West Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha officially handed over a tractor and various agricultural implements to local farmers on Monday. The equipment is designed to operate as a shared service for farmers belonging to the Seven Seasons, Oblate, Thusanang, and Ikageng CPAs within the Tigane community.
In addition to the tractor, the department provided a boom sprayer and a disc plough to strengthen the operational capacity of these farming groups and support sustained agricultural production.
The initiative aligns with the provincial government’s broader strategy to transform the regional agricultural sector, reduce poverty, and build the resilience of smallholder farmers in rural communities.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, MEC Madoda Sambatha emphasized that access to modern agricultural machinery is a critical factor in increasing output and supporting livelihoods within under-resourced farming communities.
“This intervention speaks directly to our commitment to uplifting rural farming communities,” Sambatha stated. “The tractor and implements we are handing over today are not just machinery; they are essential tools for increasing production, strengthening livelihoods and improving food security.”
Local farmer and direct beneficiary Ramasimane Kalaote welcomed the provincial support, noting that the new machinery will assist emerging farmers in the area in scaling and improving their daily farming operations.
“Farming without the necessary implements can be difficult, but we are grateful for this support and promise that the equipment will be put to good use,” Kalaote said.
According to the department, limited access to mechanisation remains a significant barrier to agricultural production, particularly among emerging farmers. Equipping these farmers with the necessary tools is expected to improve overall productivity, increase crop yields, and strengthen both household and community-level food security.
Moving forward, the department affirmed it will continue to prioritize investment in agricultural infrastructure, mechanisation, and production resources. This focus remains especially critical in historically marginalised rural communities, where limited access to farming equipment continues to constrain broader agricultural development.
“Through these interventions, the department is strengthening farmers’ access to the resources they need to increase production, improve livelihoods and contribute to food security across the province,” the department concluded.