Clover confirms to OFM News that it has decided to close down its Frankfort facility, but stresses the decision was made several years ago as part of ongoing efforts to simplify the business and optimise operations. Despite this, the facility remains open presently and the timelines for its closure “are fluid and have not been finalised”. Last week the announcement of Clover’s move from Lichtenburg to Queensburgh near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, elicited shock from residents and businesses in the region as word made the rounds, with agricultural economist at the North-West University , Johnny van der Merwe, saying the dairy company’s departure from Lichtenburg will have a knock-on effect on the economy of the town and may mark the beginning of a mass exodus of big-name companies from the area. Clover cited service delivery challenges on the part of the Ditsobotla Local Municipality as the reason for their decision.

The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has used Covid-19, among others, as an excuse to postpone the case brought against them by the DA in the province regarding the Vrede Dairy Project beneficiaries. This is according to the leader of the opposition in the Free State, Roy Jankielsohn, who further says that the legal proceedings were meant to proceed in the Bloemfontein High Court on Thursday 17 June. The DA urged the court to force the Department to recognise and include the beneficiaries, that were denied justice for over eight years, to profit from the project.

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The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development celebrated Youth Day and Harvest Day on the Driehoek farm in North West on Wednesday. A lot of emphases was placed on the need for more youth involvement in the agricultural sector. The youth were encouraged by MEC Desbo Mohono to get involved in the plans and programmes of the department. Furthermore, the profound maize harvest was celebrated with farmers being encouraged to remain diligent and committed throughout the planting and harvesting processes.

OFM News/ Olebogeng Motse & Lee Simmons