Water infrastructure upgrades boost North West farming communities

The Citizen

12-05-2025

Through targeted interventions and strategic infrastructure upgrades, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has brought much-needed relief to farming communities that have long contended with unreliable water sources.
The provincial department says over a dozen villages in the Kagisano-Molopo and Greater Taung Local Municipalities are benefiting from restored, upgraded and newly developed water systems.
These improvements include the installation of windmills, submersible pumps and high-capacity storage tanks, as well as the drilling and equipping of new boreholes.
These enhancements ensure farmers consistently access reliable water for their livestock, marking a significant step towards sustainable agriculture in some of the province's most water-stressed areas.
Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha says this was a major step in the right direction.
'For us, farmers are a priority. Without water, there is no farming, and without farming, there is no rural economy. What we have achieved in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati is a clear example of how the government must respond to the needs of its people. We are not done; there are still areas in need, but this marks a firm beginning,' Sambatha explains.
In Kagisano-Molopo, communal farmers in the areas of Langpomp, Gamongalenyane 1, Maheng, Setabeng and Matlhabatlhabe are now benefiting from improved access to water.
This follows the installation of new windmills, the rehabilitation of boreholes and the construction of reservoirs.
In Greater Taung, eight villages, including Comforthill, Choseng, Tlapeng, Fairview, Mogopela B, Tamasikwa, Maphoitsile and Manthe, are already enjoying the advantages of upgraded boreholes, new pumps and a reticulation system that feeds into a newly constructed 60 000l zinc storage tank.
A farmer from Kgomotso Village, under the Baga Mothibi Tribal Authority, Pucoe Oatlhotse, says the interventions have made a significant impact on their farming practices.
'We are truly encouraged by the progress we are seeing. Access to clean water is making it easier for us to care for our livestock. The department's support has brought real change on the ground, and we are grateful,' Oatlhotse says.
As part of its broader livestock support strategy, the department has also installed handling facilities alongside existing dipping tanks, enabling safer and more efficient livestock management during health inspections and disease control operations.
'These efforts are not only helping sustain livestock farming in the district but are also reinforcing food security and stimulating local rural economies.'
The department is assessing additional areas across the province for similar interventions. – SAnews.gov.za
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