As a key contributor to the Provincial GGP at 28.8%, agricultural and forestry
development in Waterberg is seen as another key catalyst for significant
economic development. Being predominantly rural, most of the District is suited for
livestock production but also with some major cropping taking place in cotton,
sunflower, tobacco, and soya bean production. The District is supporting
agricultural growth by developing a policy for the subdivision of agricultural land
in collaboration with the land claims commission and is negotiating the acquisition
of state land for agricultural production.
In the two priority areas of Lephalale and Mogalakwene, where both a high levels of
need and potential are evident, the following areas of potential were identified:
Lephalale
Lephalale is seen as an area with high agricultural potential. Accordingly a number
of labour intensive development initiatives, have been identified as having the
potential of for ensuring wide-spread economic spin-offs for local communities.
However, expediting land claims and land restitution processes as well as ensuring
access to water for agriculture development is seen as a top priority to unlock the
agricultural potential in the area. In partnership with province, LRAD and
community, some noteworthy projects include:
Debushing (Shongwane);
Commercialisation in DNayala;
Marula in Maraphong;
Commonage initiative in Refilwe; and
Seed nursery in Madibaneng.
Furthermore, the area boasts substantial production capacity for table grapes. The
grapes produced in the area have a two-week lead-time over other grape production
areas in South Africa and globally, providing it with a substantial competitive and
comparative advantage. The cultivating of table grapes has already yielded
significant profits for local commercial farmers over the past year. The intention
is to capitalize on the District's proximity to Botswana which is regarded as a
substantial market opportunity. The challenge however is how to expand these
activities to include emerging small scale farmers.
Mogalakwena
Unlike Lephalale, Mogalakwena has a smaller agricultural sector. Its potential
centers mainly on the production of crops and meat for regional consumption.
Extensive growth in the mining sector is seen as an ideal outlet for local
production and together with the District, local entrepreneurs, experts and affected
community champions are exploring ways of targeting specific buyers in the area. The
District has done significant assessments on expanding the existing abattoir to meet
local and regional demand for white meat as well as extending chicken farming
initiatives. Successful management and execution in this could yield positive
results for local employment and production. Other similar initiatives include:
The Mokamole Agricultural farm;
Extension of beneficiation initiatives and primary food production along
river courses;
Potential white meat cluster;
Citrus farming opportunity; and
Doring-draai fishing initiatives.
Mookgophong
Mookgophong makes up 9% of the district area. It contributes over 18% to the districts GGP and 23% of
the local economic activity comes from agriculture. Agricultural activity is, in no small part,
responsible for this economic activity. A number of opportunities have been identified in the
agricultural sector although the LED refers to only four agriculturally related activities:
Verifying the status of land claims and land reform projects ;
Improve agricultural perceptions and training to improvement employment of local labour
Establish an agricultural training centre at Crecy; and
Dipudi (goat) project.
Various agricultural opportunities have been identified. These are:
Paprika production under irrigation;
Expansion of citrus production;
Spices ;
Granadillas ;
Meat processing Project (Goat)
BELA-BELA
Bela-Bela makes up 7% of the Waterberg District and in 2001 contributed less than 1% to the District GGP.
With some agricultural projects having been established in the last few years, it is likely that the area
contributes considerably to the GGP. Presently agricultural development also holds certain development
potential in this municipality. There are a number of agricultural activities taking place within the municipality, namely:
Development of a meat cluster (crocodile, broiler and day-old chick production);
Production of hides;
Development of Rust de Winter scheme;
Support to Tiisetso chicken project;
NB: The settlement of the land claims within the municipality can play a pivotal role in igniting agricultural development in the area.
Thabazimbi
Thabazimbi makes up 20% of the area district. It is an important contributor to the economy. In terms of agriculture almost 40% of the districts agricultural activity is generated in Thabazimbi and the sector employs 22% of the labour in the area. Although mining and agriculture are the dominant sectors, cultivation (cash crops and horticulture) is generally on the decline. The exception to this trend is hunting and eco-tourism.
In the LED various opportunities have been identified and translated into priority areas to be given attention. These are some of those identified areas:
Lack of erven and land for community projects (training in agriculture);
Stimulate the production of horticultural products (training in agriculture);
Marketing of the Waterberg Biosphere (malaria free, proximity & accessibility, safety) ;
Stimulating exports to Botswana;
Improving the utilization of game ranches out of season (including de-bushing and feed manufacture);
Game processing plant/industries (spin-off of hunting); and
Encouraging the mines to buy locally;
Lephalale Agricultural Corridor.
Moodimlle
Modimolle makes up 13% of the District area and contributes almost 7% to the district GGP. Of the economic activity around 18% results from agriculture. From the map it is clear that there are few land claims and fewer LRAD projects. Several projects and priorities have been identified for the area. These include:
Alma Hydroponics;
Meropa vegetables;
Waterberg Agricultural Training Project
Dipudi Project (Goat abattoir);
LDA Leseding Poultry Project (Vaalwater);
Various poverty alleviation projects - Busy Bee (aquaculture), Bokamoso (poultry) and Metsematala (vegetables);