The department’s spokesperson, Emelda Setlhako, says some of these newly acquired vehicles have already been dispatched to the districts to help ease pressure on the existing vehicle resources of the department. 

Here is Setlhako…

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Setlhako says the department has purchased an additional 29 vehicles and has invested more than R7 million in this project, which will assist in taking critical agricultural services closer to communities in the North West.

She explains that the department purchased vans that will handle any adverse terrain in order to be able to reach farmers in all areas in the province.

Setlhako adds “although the acquired number may not be enough to meet all the demands, MEC Desbo Mohono has pointed out that acquiring the extra fleet was a step in the right direction. [She says] transport is a key instrument in our sector to keep us in touch with the farming communities to impact their lives in a very meaningful way. [She] therefore believes that acquiring these vehicles represents a significant milestone as it will help us to deliver basic services to the communities that we serve”.

Also, Setlhako says one of the department’s priorities is to contribute to the development of a revived province, and by purchasing suitable vehicles to reach remote areas, was of the utmost importance.

Meanwhile, she adds that Mohono is of the opinion that while government fights Covid-19, the department cannot lose its focus on other critical service delivery in the province - such as the production of food and rural development.

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