More than a thousand farmers in the Vhembe district received a major boost when a fresh-produce market to market their products was officially opened at Tshakhuma.

Farmers who attended the event hailed the opening of the Vhembe Fresh Produce Market, saying it will work to their advantage. They hinted, however, that it will soon be a white elephant if government does not assist them.

The R9million fresh-produce market, partly funded by the European Union and the Vhembe District Municipality, was officially opened by Vhembe Executive Mayor Florence Dzhombere last Wednesday.

Farmer representative Mr Madambi Muvhulawa said the land question had not been adequately dealt with and many black farmers still did not have appropriate land. He said to be a farmer, one needed land and without ownership of the land, farmers did not have access to funding. “We have enough committed farmers in Vhembe who are working under trying circumstances. They lack funds to make farming a business, and if government does not change laws and make it easy for farmers to get funding, the building will not be of much help,” he said.

“Do not do anything without us, as it will not be ours and will lead to the collapse of the market,” he said.

Representing the local traditional leadership, Chief Tshifovhedze Madzivhandila urged farmers to make use of the market as they gave land for the sake of development in the area. He urged politicians to deliberate on the land question that more and more land be brought back to the people. “We will always be behind you and it will be futile if farmers do not work hard to support the market as it will collapse," he added.

He also promised the municipality more land if the space at the market became too small.

Vhembe District Municipality Manager Thomas Mukumule said the facility was the first of its kind in the district and it was started after requests from farmers who had no marketing facilities.

He said that the municipality believed the market was a worthwhile investment and they had already signed memorandums of understanding with the Johannesburg and Tshwane fresh-produce markets. “This will work towards the advantage of our farmers, but it was not easy to reach where we are today,” he said.