Top award for Kuschke in Young Aspirant Farmer competition

Kuschke Agricultural High School has reason to celebrate after being named district as well as provincial winners in the Department of Agriculture’s 2019 Young Aspirant Farmer of the Year competition recently.
Not only do they now boast the title of Top Producer in the category for secondary schools with the accompanying certificates and trophies, but a combined cash prize of R80 000 is set to go a long way towards upgrading the school’s vegetable garden.
Acting Principal Lekgalwa Makgoka explained that the competition was open to schools offering agricultural subjects across the province.
Schools had to submit a portfolio to the department which was then followed by a visit by officials from the department to evaluate the school and compare the actual activities laid out in the portfolio.
He credited Agricultural Head of Department at the school, Moses Ramothlou as well as farm manager Gerhard Celliers for their contribution and hard work to ensure the school’s success.
Kuschke was announced winner of the Capricorn District during a function held at Senwabarwana on 11 June which secured the school a position in the provincial round hosted in Bela-Bela last Wednesday.
“In 2016 we entered for the competition and was also announced district winners but had to settle for second place at the provincial round. This year we top scored and are very proud of the achievements,” Makgoka said.
Kuschke at present has a 142 head strong herd of cattle consisting if 100 cows, 22 heifers, 17 calves and three bulls. It also boasts game such as as zebra, kudu and impala with 408 learners actively participating in various agricultural activities. The school is proud to have produced more than 500 black independent farmers since 1994.
“We won R30 000 in cash on district level and R50 000 on provincial level. The money will be used for improvement such as shading, irrigating system and protection from animals raiding the land before we can use the vegetables. We want to get to a point where our learners can eat from their own vegetables,” Makgoka said.

Story and photo: RC Myburgh
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