Agriculture

Spread over three diverse agro-economic zones Bophuthatswana attached great importance to the agricultural sector to produce food for the nation off its own soil.

In the mixed farming zones of the country grains such as maize, sorghum and wheat were cultivated in addition to oil seeds including sunflowers, soya beans and groundnuts. The Taung and Tsholofelo irrigation schemes also helped to produce cotton, wheat and vegetables.

This economic sector created rural employment and income by utilising natural resources on which local processing industries could be based.

Maize production more than doubled from the time of independence until 1981 when 138 000 tonnes of maize was produced.

Other agricultural schemes included intensive dairy and poultry farming, and cattle grazing zones.

Although farming, as with other economic activities, was seen as the preserve of private enterprise, the Department of Agriculture took steps to promote an environment for participation by rural communities.

Among the bodies which were created to promote agriculture was the Agricultural Development Corporation (Agricor).

The Agricultural Bank of Bophuthatswana’s growth in the first five years of its existence was phenomenal and highlighted the bank’s service to the agricultural sector on which on estimated 80% of the country’s population was to some extent dependent.

Agricultural development programmes also included community upliftment that linked all aspects of village life in a concerted drive for economic and social advancement based on the income derived from improved farming practices.

Agricultural education was further promoted by the Department at the Taung Agricultural College where agricultural officers were trained to teach farmers modern techniques.

The Department provided other services including a veterinary programme to inspect
dipping procedures, pest and disease control and assistance to co-operative bull breeding schemes which improved the general standard of stock throughout the country.

Government’s concern for its people was best expressed by the measures it took in May 1983 to alleviate the country’s severe drought when the Executive Council appointed a Cabinet Committee to deal with the situation.

During the first 30 months of the operation drought relief:

The Department of Agriculture further provided fieldworkers who offered an advisory service to farmers including animal and crop production, animal health and forestry.

Other major agricultural development projects included:

State veterinarians were located at strategic points from where they could offer specialised service in animal health to farmers, and a farmer training centre offered courses in crop and animal production, machinery maintenance, animal health, vegetable production, poultry keeping and irrigated crop production.