THOHOYANDOU – The Limpopo MEC for Agriculture, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, awarded diplomas and certificates to 33 graduates at a ceremony held at the Madzivhandila Agricultural College last Friday.

Motsoaledi also awarded 22 certificates in Crop Production to people involved in a poverty alleviation project at the Tshitomboni Poultry Farm.

Twenty students received their diplomas in Plant Production, while twelve graduated in Animal Production. Only one graduated in Horticulture.

The 22 farmers who received certificates are involved in the poverty alleviation project, as part of the Departmental Plan to turn around the poverty situation in the province.

As reported last year, the College has completed the process of restructuring the curriculum, and the new curriculum demonstrates a complete metamorphosis when compared to the previous one, said the college rector, Mr Khathutshelo Tshikolomo.

He also stated that the revised curriculum was being implemented this year, and 48 students have registered with the college for this curriculum. It is hoped that the new programme will properly respond to the knowledge and skills requirements of the youth population as revealed under Labour Market Analysis.

"In line with the Strategic goals of our Department, the college conducted a lot of short courses on Poultry, Vegetable and Maize production, as well as some on Sub-tropical Fruit production. A fair number of short courses were also conducted in other specialisations, notably Piggery, Beef, Dairy and Small Stock Production, Irrigation, Management Training, and Business Planning," he said.

Tshikolomo recognises the enormous contribution made by the DBSA in the development of major infrastructure for the college. The acquisition of some major equipment by the college will improve the institution's service delivery, he said.

Tshikolomo said they were encouraged by Section 131, which states that "improvement in Agricultural Performance is a prerequisite for economic development, on the continent. The resulting increase in rural people's purchasing power will lead to higher effective demand for African Industrial goods. The induced dynamics would contribute a significant source of economic growth."