Departmental spokesperson, Reggie Ngcobo, tells OFM News that the dialogue will, among others, discuss food security and sustainability during the third wave of Covid-19, as well as relief measures for the effects of the already fragile agricultural economy. Didiza says the purpose of the dialogues is to look at different ways of improving the country’s food system.

The North West Department of Agriculture plans to host information sessions to educate young farmers across the province about agriculture and their importance in the sector. Departmental spokesperson, Emelda Setlhako, tells OFM News that the event is organised to address basic agricultural information which is applicable to new entrants to the sector. Poultry nutrition, pig production and management, and monogastric biosecurity are on the list of topics that will be discussed, says Setlhako.

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The recent trade agreement between China and the National Department of Agriculture and Rural Development sees lemon exports increase to 25 000 tonnes by 2024. Speaking to OFM News, departmental spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo says the agreement between China and the department is based on the phytosanitary cold treatment regime. This regime is used to control the temperature at which the lemons are being exported which would allow for better quality shipment as well as decreasing the potential risk of False Codling Moth (FCM).

OFM News/Shindre-Lee Simmons