Serbia’s Vojvodina Province to assist Thulamela Municipality

Members of a delegation from the Republic of Serbia’s Vojvodina Province visited several agricultural projects in Limpopo during the past week and, according to the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Joy Mashoge, the visit will promote friendship and active cooperation in the fields of agriculture, science, technology and rural development.

During a gala dinner for the Serbian delegation at the Khoroni hotel in Thohoyandou last Tuesday evening, Mashoge added that the visit would also lead to a change in technology and know-how in agricultural production between Limpopo and the Vojvodina Province.

"Our department of agriculture, in collaboration with the local municipalities, will select farming-project beneficiaries from cooperatives, small, medium and micro enterprises and share their best practices with the Serbian delegation,” added MEC Mashoge.

According to Mashoge, the Serbians' tour include visits to the agricultural landscape in the Thulamela municipality, especially macadamia nuts farms.

Thulamela Mayor Grace Mahosi welcomed the delegations and said Thulamela was the economic hub of the Vhembe district, while the district was the food basket of the Limpopo province. “In Thulamela, agriculture is one of the key job drivers. Agriculture and rural development are our pillars. With agricultural development, we are also helping in empowering our farmers, especially emerging ones.”

The Serbian provincial secretary of inter-regional cooperation and local government, Mr Brainslav Bugarski, said the Serbians were good producers of maize and sunflower, among others, and hoped their exchange with would have mutual benefit for both parties.

Date:17 July 2015

By: Silas Nduvheni

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