North West Agriculture MEC Madoda Sambatha is optimistic that the launch of the Jantjies Boerdery Lucerne Packhouse in Taung will strengthen agricultural development and create economic opportunities in the deep rural areas of the Greater Taung Local Municipality.
Sambatha was speaking during the official launch of the R9.5 million project in Taung, which was made possible through support from the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture.
The MEC highlighted that the packhouse would serve as an important agricultural facility for the municipality and surrounding farming communities.
Sambatha said the packhouse would not only be used for activities related to the farm but would also support broader agricultural development in the area.
“It’s going to be used to strengthen horticultural development in the whole municipal area so that we then activate young people, people with disabilities and women in both areas of Bloemhof and Christiana, and introduce them to co-operative farming.
“They then work as producers, with the packhouse serving as a distribution and storage centre. We want to use it for the benefit of ensuring that horticulture in our province and district is centred around the packhouse,” said Sambatha.
The MEC also highlighted that, besides storing farmers’ produce, the packhouse would help extend the shelf life of agricultural products while they remain within the supply chain.
“So, it’s more about accessing and helping us grow new farmers than just his own production, because he can’t produce enough to sustain the daily storage requirements of the packhouse. We have developed it to a level where we ensure that it has sufficient capacity and that it is the biggest in the province,” explained Sambatha.
The department said the occasion also marked the official launch of the Hemp Hub at Taung Agricultural College, which provides support to hemp producers through permit applications, training and skills development, market access and other support services.
According to the department, both initiatives demonstrate its commitment to strengthening agro-processing, supporting farmer-led enterprises, creating economic opportunities and advancing rural development in the province.
