Date: 28/11/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Opening of George Training Centre for emerging farmers
STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, ON 28 NOVEMBER 2003
PREMIER OPENS R2,67 MILLION GEORGE TRAINING CENTRE: START OF 400% IMPROVEMENT FOR EMERGING FARMERS
"Land reform is only significant if it goes beyond simply transferring the ownership of land. Education, training and skills transfer is what turns a land-owner into a sustainable and successful farmer." It was with this message that Western Cape Premier, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, today addressed community leaders, established and emerging farmers, and the staff of the Outeniqua Experimental Farm outside of George. The Premier was accompanied by the Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Minister Johan Gelderblom.
"Although the Western Cape has for many years spearheaded South African research, development, and training in agriculture, much of this has been beyond the reach of our rural communities who most urgently need this assistance," said the Premier. "The cost of travelling to Elsenburg College in Stellenbosch to attend courses has meant that many established and emerging farmers in need of help, and especially farm workers from our rural areas, could not afford to improve their skills. That is why I am extremely pleased today to officially open the George Training Centre of Elsenburg College here at the Outeniqua Experimental Farm."
The George Training Centre has been established at a cost of R2,67 million, from funds set aside for the creation of provincial infrastructure. Targeted to make agricultural training more accessible to people from disadvantaged communities, the facility will offer more than 47 different short courses. The courses in greatest demand in the Southern Cape are vegetable gardening, irrigation, farm management, financial management, marketing, poultry, life skills, arc and gas welding, tractor maintenance and calibration of crop spraying equipment.
"The first courses will begin in February next year," said Minister Gelderblom, "In the first year of operations we expect this new centre to assist more than 500 farm workers, emerging farmers and farmers in need. We will specifically target the beneficiaries of our land reform programmes, with the emphasis on rural women and the youth."
Speaking about the value of the centre to the Western Cape, the Premier added: "The George Training Centre is part of the much wider plan in the province to bring job creation and economic growth to our rural regions. In addition to empowering emerging farmers this centre will develop entrepreneurial skills in the area and stimulate the informal economy of the region."
Asked about future plans for agricultural training and education the Premier replied: "George is just the first of four such facilities for the people of the Western Cape. We will be opening similar centres in Oudtshoorn to serve the Klein Karoo area and at Elsenburg College. We are also trying to determine the best location for a centre in the northwest of the province in the vicinity of Vredendal. Our plan is to have these facilities operational before the end of next year."
"These four new centres will add immensely to the services offered by our Provincial Government," said Minister Gelderblom. "As there have been no such facilities in the past, what we aim to have achieved by the end of 2004 is effectively a 4-fold improvement for the emerging farmers of the Western Cape."
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp, 083 778 9923
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government
28 November 2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Opening of George Training Centre for emerging farmers
STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, ON 28 NOVEMBER 2003
PREMIER OPENS R2,67 MILLION GEORGE TRAINING CENTRE: START OF 400% IMPROVEMENT FOR EMERGING FARMERS
"Land reform is only significant if it goes beyond simply transferring the ownership of land. Education, training and skills transfer is what turns a land-owner into a sustainable and successful farmer." It was with this message that Western Cape Premier, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, today addressed community leaders, established and emerging farmers, and the staff of the Outeniqua Experimental Farm outside of George. The Premier was accompanied by the Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Minister Johan Gelderblom.
"Although the Western Cape has for many years spearheaded South African research, development, and training in agriculture, much of this has been beyond the reach of our rural communities who most urgently need this assistance," said the Premier. "The cost of travelling to Elsenburg College in Stellenbosch to attend courses has meant that many established and emerging farmers in need of help, and especially farm workers from our rural areas, could not afford to improve their skills. That is why I am extremely pleased today to officially open the George Training Centre of Elsenburg College here at the Outeniqua Experimental Farm."
The George Training Centre has been established at a cost of R2,67 million, from funds set aside for the creation of provincial infrastructure. Targeted to make agricultural training more accessible to people from disadvantaged communities, the facility will offer more than 47 different short courses. The courses in greatest demand in the Southern Cape are vegetable gardening, irrigation, farm management, financial management, marketing, poultry, life skills, arc and gas welding, tractor maintenance and calibration of crop spraying equipment.
"The first courses will begin in February next year," said Minister Gelderblom, "In the first year of operations we expect this new centre to assist more than 500 farm workers, emerging farmers and farmers in need. We will specifically target the beneficiaries of our land reform programmes, with the emphasis on rural women and the youth."
Speaking about the value of the centre to the Western Cape, the Premier added: "The George Training Centre is part of the much wider plan in the province to bring job creation and economic growth to our rural regions. In addition to empowering emerging farmers this centre will develop entrepreneurial skills in the area and stimulate the informal economy of the region."
Asked about future plans for agricultural training and education the Premier replied: "George is just the first of four such facilities for the people of the Western Cape. We will be opening similar centres in Oudtshoorn to serve the Klein Karoo area and at Elsenburg College. We are also trying to determine the best location for a centre in the northwest of the province in the vicinity of Vredendal. Our plan is to have these facilities operational before the end of next year."
"These four new centres will add immensely to the services offered by our Provincial Government," said Minister Gelderblom. "As there have been no such facilities in the past, what we aim to have achieved by the end of 2004 is effectively a 4-fold improvement for the emerging farmers of the Western Cape."
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp, 083 778 9923
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government
28 November 2003
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