Government assisting smallholder farmers

FOR many South Africans, Freedom Day evoked a feeling of ambivalence considering the terrain they traversed in their trajectory to reach the promised land.

While the country is polarised by different views of the electorates, some spewing unprintable sentiments about the government of the day, others have confessed hope that despite the wheels of democracy turning slowly, South Africa will gradually realise prosperity.

Though some have rejected, and some have approved the workings of government machinery, it is worth noting that everywhere in the world, it is difficult to have a socio-homogeneous nation where all the citizens agree in unison about anything the government tells a do for them.

The reality is that many people say government has not fared very well in changing the lives of the citizens. However, there are countable successes that we can point out and build from. For example, agriculture is a launching pad for prosperity and government is commended for assisting smallholder farmers to reach their potential.

Through the Farmers Production Support Units that are set up by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in districts, government is doing a lot to assist smallholder farmers to be part of the whole agricultural value chain. The FPSUs established in Rooiwal, Sokhulumi and Winterveldt in the Tshwane District and in all the districts in South Africa are aimed at creating job opportunities in each district and to provide support to farmers with equipment, capital injections as well as training and storage facilities within 30 kilometres radius.

This will enable farmers in the districts to share the resources.