Departmental spokesperson, Zimasa Leputla, confirms this class of emerging farmers working the land on municipal commonages are faced with several challenges that the department is trying to address. These include a lack of infrastructure, proper animal handling facilities, improper fencing, and watering facilities, amongst others. 

Speaking to OFM News at the Monate Nate Oa Phokeng Lodge at Bloemspruit where hundreds of farmers are gathered to discuss these issues with the Agriculture MEC, William Bulwane, and various municipal officials, Leputla said inputs made by the delegates will not only help the farmers but will go towards a commonage policy which will help local municipalities to develop by-laws to “regulate, control and protect the use of municipal land leased to commonage farmers”.

Leputla added that “due to inaccurate, misrepresented and outdated statistics of farmers across the province, the MEC will launch the Provincial Online Producer/Farmer Register FS-System for smallholder farmers in the province”.

This system is expected to help farmers access relevant information about their local area or district and advertise their produce for free.

She added that, in consideration of the drought experienced in the country, farmers have really been struggling and the department is looking into measures on how to best assist those in the province.

OFM News