The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Free State convened a two-day Rural Development Indaba on 26 – 27 March 2026 at Bluegumbosch, Multi-Purpose Centre in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa.
The rural development indaba was held under the theme “Policy, Investment and Community Action for Inclusive and Sustainable Rural Development”.
About 500 stakeholders from various sectors, including organised agriculture, local government, farm workers, and dwellers, and key departments involved in the rural development sector from various parts of the province attended the Indaba.
Traditional leaders played a critical role in the programme. The indaba was designed to bring them together with academics and farming experts to carve out practical measures that will improve the livelihoods of rural communities.
The Provincial Rural Development Indaba was critical in addressing the pressing challenges that have been identified in the various engagements undertaken by the MEC with rural communities since taking office.
Some of the challenges are; food security, rural safety that includes stock and crop theft; poor-roads infrastructure and maintenance; non-availability of bridges that connect both farms and communities for the easy of farming; poor or no-cellular phone network; appalling dwelling and living conditions of farms workers; Land-tenure challenges; Minimal agricultural wage-sector enforcement; lack of health, social and educational infrastructure for the betterment of their lives compared to urban areas.
The rural development indaba also intended to improve the socio-economic status of rural communities through the coordination, facilitation, initiating interventions in line with six priority pillars outlined in the integrated rural development sector strategy and the comprehensive rural development program, which includes working with all spheres of government, civil society, and the private sector which will lead to a sustainable and vibrant rural community.
The indaba further focused on the government’s poverty alleviation programmes, such as the Sustainable Comprehensive Rural Development Programme and the Rural Development Strategies.
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