Handover a boost to land care project
A R9.2 MILLION land care project handover has provided a boost to the Bothitong Veldcare Project which assists in controlling the invader plant specie “Gnidia Burchelli” (Harpuisbos/moshuma sekgwa), which is a danger to livestock farming.
The handover by the MEC for Agriculture, Land Reform, Rural Development, Environment and Nature Conservation, Nomandla Bloem, to place on Monday while two Bonsmara bulls were also donated to the farming community of Danoon, a community under the leadership of Kgosi Kgotlayame Motshwarakgole.
The John Taolo Gaetsewe District project (JTG) was conceptualised in 2014 and implemented during the 2015/2016 financial year and has created 75 permanent jobs for the Bothitong, Danoon and Kiang Dihotshana communities.
Livestock production has been identified as one of the most important economic activities in John Taolo Gaetsewe district.
The MEC pointed out that the rapid spread of Moshuma sekgwa or Harpuisbos on rangelands in Danoon, Bothitong and other areas of Joe Morolong posed a danger to livestock farming.
“Moshuma sekgwa has been identified as one of the causes for low grass yields, sparse vegetation covering ad a decrease in biodiversity, resulting in reduced carrying capacity,” said Bloem.
The department has also invested in 50km of border fence, a borehole and a reservoir since the implementation of the project to enable it to cater for more than 100 livestock.
According to departmental spokesperson, Zandisile Luphaha, the project was first allocated R703 000 from the Landcare Grant for the payment of wages for about 60 employees, as well as transport and procurement of materials essential for project implementation in the 2015/2016 financial year.
“In the following financial year, the project was allocated R1.25 million to continue with the control of Gnidia Burchelli.
An additional 15 people from the Kiang Dihotshana village were employed, bringing the total number of people employed as part of the project to 75. A total of 1000ha rangeland was rehabilitated by controlling Gnidia Burchelli,” Luphahla stated.
“During 2017/18 the project was allocated a further R3 million and the number of jobs was increased to 90. A total of 500 000 from the allocated budget was used for the construction of a border fence on 303ha where Ginidia Burchelli was controlled. A total of 1 200ha of rangeland was rehabilitated this financial year.
“In the 2018/19 financial year the project was again allocated R2.3 million to continue with the same project scope. A total of R1.3 million from the allocated budget was used to construct a 25-kilometre-long fence and a borehole was drilled, tested and equipped with a windmill together with a reservoir.
“This financial year (2019/2020) is expected to be the final cycle of project, with funding of R2 million for the construction of fences and a stock water system.”