The Eastern Cape Department of Education awarded certificate to 82 farm assistants, as they took part in a two week-training programme conducted at the Fort Cox Agricultural and Forestry College in Middledrift.

 

The Animal and Vegetable production training aims to empower farm assistants with relevant skills to take care of the animals in the Agricultural Schools.

 

Ntandazo Matika, Deputy Director from ECDoE represented the Human Resource Development directorate. Speaking during the ceremony, Matika said, "The training of these farms assistants forms part of the Department's mandate to educate and give sustainable utilization of natural resources to the farm assistance so as  to improve rural livelihoods in Eastern Cape Agricultural Schools."

 

Total Quality Assurance and Student Manager, Moneri Mogale explained what the partnership between the College and ECDoE entailed. Moneri said, "The Partnership between the ECDoE and Fort Cox Agriculture and Forest College has instilled the Government's mandate to provide training to the whole farming community, regardless of their level of education.

Moneri also saw this programme as ameans to end destitute families. 

"We want to fight poverty against all odds, therefore the initiative will ensure that all our clients can practice sustainable agriculture in order to address food insecurity challenges."

 

One of the certificate recipients Phakami Melani praised the offering of the programme, saying 'being part of the training was not a money wasting program, like we usually say about these government departments, I only had Grade 12 but now the Education department gave me a qualification in animal and vegetable production, so big ups to the Education Department".