‘One household one hectare’ takes off
Gallawater Farm shows how it’s done
RURAL Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti officially handed over part of a 904-hectare farm near Komani to 102 of its residents on Friday.
The Gallawater Farm beneficiaries are part of a “one household, one hectare” and “one household, five sheep” government programme which envisages that as a household’s small flock grows, so does their land allocation.
According to the department’s Malerato Molokoane, it is part of a strategy to combat poverty by creating sustainable employment in rural households by rekindling a class of black smallholder farmers.
She said the department had approved 7km of fencing, as well as machinery, equipment, a bakkie, renovation of sheds and 70 hectares of vegetable production.
“The tractor, implements, equipment and bakkie have been delivered. Fifteen hectares of land have been prepared and maize, potatoes and butternut have been planted on four hectares. The department has also appointed a site manager,” she said. They had acquired 350 ewes and 14 rams for the project as well.
“We have the one household, five sheep project and they are going to share the 14 rams. We also provide technical and business skills in agriculture,” she said, adding that the families could use one section of the 904-hectare farm.
Nkwinti said he was proud of what the people of Gallawater had accomplished.
“I have learnt a lot here. The one household five sheep programme is a good thing and it’s only happening here.
“I would like other areas to come and learn that,” he said.
“I want all mayors to be champions of the one household, one hectare project and one household, two dairy cows.
“We want every rural ward to have an integrated community development centre.
“We want to close the gap between those in rural areas and those in towns,” Nkwinti said, adding that each district should have an agricultural park where local farmers could send their products for processing.
One of the beneficiaries, Elsie Nozimisele Nyobole, said: “We wish all those who led us to this farm could see what government has done to change lives.”
The group of residents moved onto the land in 1996 with the government’s blessing and are now working the land on their own. —