This statement was made by the province’s Premier Bushy Maape, when he delivered his first State of the Province Address (Sopa) on Friday. 

He also addressed the poor condition of provincial and rural roads in the province due to ongoing rainfall. 

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Maape highlighted that in order to help the economy of the province grow, local government not only met with roleplayers from the mining sector, but also with roleplayers in the agricultural and tourism sectors.

The premier also stated that he found during his travels throughout the North West and his engagement with the agricultural sector, that there is potential for an increase in agricultural production “and associated agro-processing activities beyond the levels currently obtained. 

“In the year ahead, our Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will be taking forward its Crop Massification Programme and will also be finalising the Irrigation Master Plan for the Province, which will include optimising effective use of the Taung, Disaneng, Molatedi and Hartbeespoort Irrigation Schemes.

“There is also a potential for engaging in the production of new crops, and the cultivation of arable land previously neglected in all the four districts. In this regard, I am pleased to indicate that the Department is stepping up its development and implementation of the national Cannabis Master Plan, of which the primary objective is commercialisation of cannabis for medicinal and industrial use within the food and beverage space,” reads his speech.

With regards to the state of the roads in the province and other service delivery issues, Maape stated that the provincial government has roped in some help.

“I would like to use this occasion to extend a word of appreciation to the North West Chamber of Commerce and Industry and to the Lichtenburg Business Chamber for the constructive way in which they are collaborating with government in this regard.

“I want to mention within this context, the Noordwes Koöperasie (NWK), which concluded an agreement with the provincial Department of Public Works and Roads, whereby the NWK assists with maintenance of certain rural gravel roads in the province.”

READ: #Covid19: Ondersteun wildsplase 

In terms of how the province’s tourism sector was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Maape reassured that with the relaxation of travel restrictions, however, there is an upturn particularly in respect of domestic tourism. 

OFM News previously reported on the affect that Covid-19 had on the wildlife industry in the North West, citing that income for wildlife farmers was low, but their spirits were high as they remained positive that restrictions will be lifted.

Furthermore, Maape said that R11 million has been set aside through the Agricultural Graduate Programme to train 120 unemployed graduates. These graduates will be placed at various agricultural farms and enterprises across the province.

OFM News