Athole Research Farm gets a much-needed boost with new equipment from Dardlea
The Athole Research farm will be beneficial to emerging farmers, agriculture students at the University of Mpumalanga and learners who will visit the farm for demonstrations, excursions and on-field experience, for both crop and animal production
The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (Dardlea) in Mpumalanga handed over conservation agriculture equipment to 14 study groups on Friday, 2 November at the Athole Research Farm near Amsterdam.
The MEC of Dardlea, Mr Vusi Shongwe, was in attendance to hand over the equipment at the farm which will benefit emerging farmers, agriculture students at the University of Mpumalanga and learners who will visit the farm for demonstrations, excursions, and on-field experience, for both crop and animal production.
The equipment includes tractor-drawn planters and boom sprayers that will ensure no soil degradation or erosion takes place during tilling and planting.
The gathering, which was attended by officials from Gert Sibande District Municipality and the Executive Mayor of Msukaligwa, Mr Joseph Mkhaliphi, also formed part of the farm’s revival.
Mr Shongwe said Athole Research Farm needs to be brought back to its former glory as a Centre of Excellence in Technology development.
The gathering was also attended by various relevant stakeholders.
