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The North West MEC for Department of Rural, Environmental and Agricultural Development Ms Manketsi Tlhape says her department will continue to strive for the creation of a conducive environment for young people to venture into agriculture and environment sectors, as a strategic way to overcome youth unemployment, poverty and food insecurity.

Tlhape says while agriculture in particular is often dismissed as an option for young people, the experience in the North West province is different as young people are consistently demonstrating their willingness to take up farming as a career or business, with many already practicing as successful farmers.

One such young farmer is a 29 year old Boitumelo Shole from Putfontein outside Lichtenburg, Ngaka Modiri Molema District, who is practicing dry land cropping on 358 hectares. Like other successful young farmers, Shole is poised for success in the grain production industry as he is already classified as a semi-commercial farmer. Shole’s project was funded by the Department to the tune of R1.8 million during the previous financial year, and was able to plant maize and sunflower.

Similarly, a group of 5 youth in Ventersdorp, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, are continuing to exhibit their potential in the poultry industry as producers of 155 000 broilers per cycle. Named Marcus M Farming, the project is owned by four females youth and one male youth, who have five broiler houses with the capacity of 31 000 chickens each.

To advance these and other young people’s project or farm management skills, the department is through its extension service continuing to amongst others, provide necessary training on how to improve the quality of their produce, marketing skills and caring for our environment.

“As the country is this month paying homage to the heroism of the 1976 generation, we continue to urge young people to seize the opportunities we are presenting to them, in an attempt to promote economic self-sufficiency among them”, says MEC Tlhape who urges young people to become solid strategic partners in creating jobs, growing a sustainable agriculture and greening the environment”.

MEC Tlhape says however that while her department is content about many of the youth projects that have grown in leaps and bounds, she remains concerned about those that are given the necessary support but still collapse as a result of non-commitment and laziness.

“Complacency and dependency are enemies of success. The agriculture and environment sectors need young people who are energetic, focused, passionate about managing the natural resources, and possess the ability to contribute meaningfully towards the achievement of the National Development Plan goal on building integrated and inclusive rural economy by 2030”, said Tlhape.

Young people who aspire to be part of this growing industry are urged to visit the Departmental offices located at various Districts to get more information about existing opportunities in the sectors, the funding models as well as the set criterion for support.