MEC Gerrit van Rensburg visits isolated farming communities

Lusanda Bill
23 January 2014

Western Cape MEC of Agriculture and Rural Development Gerrit van Rensburg this week embarked on a visit to several farming communities that he regards as being isolated in the West Coast.

Several issues were raised both by small scale and commercial farmers.  The small scale farmers raised their concerns including land. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Wouter Kriel said small scale farmers told Van Rensburg their greatest frustration was a lack of land, together with training on managing larger farming operations.

Kriel said MEC Van Rensburg said the issue of land is the responsible of the national department of Rural Development and Land Reform.  In terms of training the MEC urged communities’ members to approach his department with training needs.

On the other hand commercial farmers also raised their concerns to the MEC of Agriculture and Rural Development Gerrit van Rensburg during his visit.

Ministerial Spokesperson Wouter Kriel said commercial scale farmers expressed their worry over animal health especially in the Western and Northern Cape which is very common in these two areas. 

“MEC Gerrit van Rensburg promised that he will be discussing this issue of animal health with the Northern Cape authorities” Kriel added.