Pretoria – The City of Tshwane on Tuesday launched its first ever Agropolitan Village, the Tshwane Food and Energy Centre (TFEC) in Bronkhorstspruit, just outside Pretoria.
Located on a 200Ha plot, the R40 million Agropolitan Village will contribute to the City’s food security through livestock production and energy security through the establishment of a photo-voltaic solar power plant and reuse of livestock organic waste as feedstock for renewable energy production (biogas).
According to the City of Tshwane, the project started operating late last year.
Currently, there are 25 local people from the nearby Rethabiseng township who work in the village.
The locals, who have received formal training in planting vegetables and becoming chicken farmers, work and reside at the village.
Thami Motau, a mother of two from Rethabiseng, told SAnews that through the establishment of the project, she is now able to plant vegetables and become a poultry farmer.
“I was unemployed for a very long time. I thank the City of Tshwane for bringing this project to us,” she said.
Another beneficiary, John Masanabo, 67, a father of four, told SAnews that he has been unemployed since 1998.
“I thank our government for bringing this project to us as we will be able to support our families,” he said.
Masanabo, who has received training in planting vegetables and poultry farming, is currently taking care of 1500 chicks that are expected to be sold soon.
The project is a Mayoral flagship project that will assist the City in its transition towards being a low carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient City.
According to the City of Tshwane, the project is the first of its kind in the country.
Speaking at the launch, the City of Tshwane Mayor Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said he was grateful for the project as it was going to help the local residents especially the youth.
Mayor Ramokgopa thanked all the partners who made it possible for the project to be a success.
“I’m very confident that this flagship project will be a success. The project will show the world that it is possible,” he said. –
SOURCE: SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT NEWS AGENCY