The Western Cape’s agricultural advisory programme has been presented at a United Nations conference this week.

Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, said senior officials from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture were attending the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s 43rd meeting of the Committee on World Food Security. The conference is taking place in Rome this week.

Minister Winde said the FAO contracted the University of the Free State to document the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s extension model, which is aligned to the National Government’s policy as well as the norms and standards for extension. This presentation was screened at the conference, with senior managers from the national and provincial Departments of Agriculture speaking to the programme.

“The focus of the presentation was on supporting agri-business to grow, and improving the market access of smallholder farmers. The programme was well-received, and there’s strong interest from other countries.”

Minister Winde said the request to present at the global conference showed the strength of the province’s extension programme.

“In this financial year our extension offIicers will conduct over 4 000 site visits to deliver advisory services to subsistence, smallholder and commercial farmers. Officers receive regular training to make sure we meet industry demands. We continue to embrace innovation in this field, through the use of the smart-pen technology.  I’d like to commend the officers for their hard work in making this programme one of the best in the world.”

Issued by Western Cape Government