The North-West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono has handed over a 45000-capacity refurbished broiler house to Selame Poultry, a Haartebeesfontein-based agriculture project. This was delivered on Friday, 22 March 2024 as part of the Provincial Accelerated Service Delivery Initiative, Thuntsha Lerole at Matlosana Local Municipality.
Owner and founder of Selame Poultry, Ms Rose Rakgwale said the handover was a sign of a nod from the Department for the project to open doors for business following a 3-year hiatus. The Project had previously had to stop operations to address infrastructure issues. Their established market required the project to stick to the required specifications to sustain their supply. “I had no choice but to listen. It was a difficult decision to pause operations, but it was necessary,” Rakgwale said as she reflected on her journey.
She has acknowledged the Department’s support and only had words of gratitude towards the work done on the farm. “There was a time when I doubted if we would be able to pull the work successfully. I am glad that the house is high-tech and carries all the details that were required by my market. We are ticking all the boxes. I thank the MEC and the Department for this empowerment. The world needs to see what the government is doing for us,” Rose said enthusiastically.
The refurbished house is environmentally friendly and is equipped with a water reticulation system, a high-end security system, and a modernised electrical power system.
MEC Mohono said it was necessary to assist the farmer noting the capacity she has to deliver. She said the farm which previously was operating six broiler houses needed to be assisted so that it can continue with its established supply market. MEC said she was elated that Selame will now continue to do business and stir the economic activity in the area. She also appreciated the farmer’s patience towards the delivery of the project. “The Department took some time to complete the project, but this farmer was patient and that goes to show that indeed agriculture is not for the faint-hearted. I have so much pride in her etiquette, and I am confident that she will ensure that work in this farm runs with speed, “MEC Mohono said confidently.
MEC encouraged the farmer to work hard so that all other remaining houses could also be renewed to meet the required specifications and be functional.
Selame poultry project has been in operation since 2012. It has done best in its operations previously bagging accolades of Best Entrepreneurship Awards from the North-West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as the National Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform. It has a supply contract with one of the largest chicken abattoirs in the province. They also previously boosted an annual production of over 2,000,000 birds in a 70-ha farmland.
As part of the Department’s delivery of Thuntsha Lerole activities of that day, MEC Mohono also handed over a refurbished 45-ha pivot system to Mr Frank Sekonyela at Witpoort farm. Garden inputs and tools were given to Bakang Primary Schools as well as Tshepang Care Services project in Haartebeesfotein. The care project was also donated with indigenous chickens. Identified needy households also received food packages as well as garden inputs.
Source: Farmers Review Africa
