FS Department of Agriculture, Rural Development And Environmental Affairs

30/09/2026

Second part of the day, MEC Rockman held a farmers engagement in Refeng kgotso Community Hall.

Mr Roberts in his welcoming remarks said the purpose of this engagement was for MEC to engage with farmers and hear the challenges they face on a daily basis. Also to let farmers raise their needs so that the department can assist where they can.

First presenter of the day was Mr Tele from Rosendal Commonage who said some of the challenges they face are access to water, fencing and medications for cattles.
Mr Molapo from Mabele Commonage thanked the department for the Foot and Vaccination. He said some of the challenges they face is obtaining lease agreements and that hampers their chances when applying for funding. The other challenges he raised were bad roads and stock theft. Me Mampe who is an Animal Health Technician gave a detailed presentation on how Foot and Mouth Disease affects animals, symptoms to look out for and ways on how to manage the disease.

MEC Rockman keynote address said she has picked up that most of the challenges that are raised are from commonage farmers due to lack of biosecurity. She said they have a partnership with municipality in order to develop a proper audit of who is on Commonages. She encouraged farmers to appoint proper committees in order to have accountability on resources. " The other problem is over production on certain commodities such as spinach, and most farmers are forced to sell at a lesser price". Said MEC. She said economics must come to the party and come up with solutions that will allow farmers to explore the market. Lastly she said farmers should prepare for an extreme wave that is projected by South African Weather Services, she also encouraged Commonage farmers to plant trees in order to reduce heat stress.

30/09/2026

MEC Rockman visited Tswellang Pele Luncheon club at Refeng Kgotso in Denneysville. The purpose of this initiative was engage with members of the club and hear their challenges, what they need as senior citizens and also to hear about the day to day running of the Luncheon club.

Mr Reagan who is running for Ward councilor welcomed everyone and said they requested MEC Elzabe to visit Ward 3 at Refeng Khotso. He said MEC agreed and requested to visit the old age home. Tswellang Pele Luncheon Club was then identified as the place to be visited.

MEC Rockman in her keynote address said the aim was to reach more small towns so that they can listen to their challenges. "The first step is to visit the Luncheon club because senior citizens are the ones who carried the society." She said. She also encouraged the Luncheon clubs to have backyard gardens in order to secure food security in communities. She concluded by saying the chairperson must address the needs of the Luncheon.

Me Bella Rakgodile who is the Chairperson of the club thanked MEC Rockman for visiting their Luncheon Club. Some of the challenges she raised were deteriorating structure, sports gear, garden tools, access to land, materials for their handwork, and cutlery. Members were also given food parcels, blankets and groceries to use during their meetings.
Mr Roberts in his closing remarks thanked the elders for coming out in cold weather to hear what the MEC had to say to them. He encouraged the Luncheon club members to always stick together and be united as one.

30/09/2026

FREE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND GLEN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE RESPOND TO FALSE CLAIMS REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE EXPENDITURE

30/09/2026

FREE STATE RURAL SAFETY FORUM MEETING

The Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Environmental Affairs held a Rural Safety forum meeting today at Glen.
The purpose of the meeting was to develop Terms of Reference that will provide a framework for strengthening collaboration and coordination between relevant government departments, law enforcement agencies, municipalities, agricultural stakeholders, traditional leaders, community structures and rural communities.
It will assist in identifying safety and security risks, infrastructure and service delivery gaps, policing and emergency response challenges, and other factors that contribute to the vulnerability of rural areas.

Agricultural communities are increasingly affected by the theft of livestock, crops, farming equipment and other agricultural resources. These challenges, together with inadequate rural infrastructure, limited access to essential services and insufficient law enforcement resources, undermine agricultural productivity, threaten livelihoods, discourage investment and compromise the safety and security of rural communities.

There is therefore a need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to identify and address these challenges and strengthen rural development, agricultural production, safety and security.

Stakeholders who formed part of the meeting included the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and Free State Agriculture and African Farmers Association of South Africa.

29/09/2026

DARDEA MEC ELZABE ROCKMAN AND HEAD OF DEPARTMENT ENGAGE FARMERS AFFECTED BY LANDBANK BLENDED FINANCE.

The MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, Ms Elzabe Rockman, together with the Head of Department, Mr Tshepo Mabilo, convened an engagement session with farmers affected by the Land Bank Blended Finance Scheme.

The purpose of the engagement was to listen to the challenges experienced by farmers under the scheme, provide clarity on implementation processes, and jointly find workable solutions to ensure the sustainability of their enterprises.

In his welcoming remarks, HoD Mabilo thanked farmers for honouring the invitation at short notice. He explained that the Department is still analysing possible interventions to deal with the crisis.

"The spirit of this meeting is to get your inputs and try to come up with solutions together," said HoD Mabilo.

Mr Nthako Thaele, the Land Bank Provincial Head, in his address started by explaining how the money is distributed from National to the Province and further explained how the money got depleted. "When I received this information I immediately communicated with the Department maybe I should have approached you as the producers but I thank the MEC for also acting quickly to call a meeting so that we can all be under one roof to solve this matter" Said Mr Nthako

In her address, MEC Rockman welcomed all farmers from different formations including AFASA, YARD and WARD.

"When we heard about this crisis, we immediately thought about our producers and the impact it has on food security and livelihoods. We could not sit back while our farmers are under pressure from funding that was meant to develop them," said MEC Rockman.

MEC Rockman further emphasized that the Department will work closely with all affected farmers, Land Bank and other relevant stakeholders to find lasting solutions. She assured farmers that their concerns are being taken seriously and that government remains committed to supporting them through this difficult period.

Farmers were given an opportunity to share their experiences and challenges under the Blended Finance Scheme, they also got a chance to ask clarity seeking question and to propose possible solutions.

The Department committed to assessing each case individually and facilitating further engagements with Land Bank to ensure no farmer is left behind.

28/09/2026

BENCHMARKING VISIT BY GDARD TO FS DARDEA

DARDEA HOD, Mr. Tshepo Mabilo and his Management Team is hosted the delegation from Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development earlier today. The Gauteng delegation was led by Head of Department, Ms. Andiswa Jass. The purpose of the meeting is to benchmark between two departments on strategic priorities.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Mabilo started by acknowledging the presence of Gauteng delegation and said both departments need to learn from best practices. “We have the technical know how but still need to improve more on internal controls, develop frameworks and proper records management in order to improve the quality of service that we are providing to beneficiaries and our communities. We are hard at work to realise the ambition to achieve a clean audit and we are in the process of dealing with some outstanding issues so that we move in that direction” said HOD Mabilo. He added by saying the other challenge is on the support for commonages farmers because they start fighting once they receive funding and the department looking at options to ensure that when such challenges transpire, the funding objective must still be realised.

HOD Jass appreciated the opportunity and said the Free State province is doing well. “We are here to learn and share best practices between both departments. We get to get an understanding as to how can we improve” said HOD.

Both departments presented on Farmer Support and Development focusing on historic funding models, transfer payment agreements, monthly expenditure reports and follow the money process. Monitoring and Evaluation plays a vital role in this regard. Strengthening Agro-processing, systems and technology as well as farmer to markets support were some of the issues discussed.

HOD Jaas concluded by extending their gratitude to HOD and his team to share and learn in order to assist both departments.
In his concluding remarks, HOD Mabilo appreciated the platform and said the session was very fruitful session. He emphasised the issue of the importance of business plans. He further appealed on having more discussions about blended finance and other issues.

28/09/2026

FARMERS ENGAGEMENT WITH MEC ELZABE ROCKMAN

27/09/2026

26/09/2026

UPDATE ON Foot-And-Mouth DESEASE CASES

26/09/2026

DARDEA Hosts the 4th District Imbizo for Women in Agriculture at Parys in Fezile Dabi District

The MEC for Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs (DARDEA), Ms. Elzabe Rockman, today hosted a the fourth District Women in Agriculture Imbizo in collaboration with the Fezile Dabi District Women in Agriculture (WARD) structure at the Master Nakedi Multi-Purpose Centre, Tumahole, Parys in Ngwathe Local Municipality.

The gathering brought together more that 120 female farmers in crop and animal production from the four Local Municipalities under Fezile Dabi District which includes Ngwathe, Moqhaka, Metsimaholo and Mafube, provided them with valuable opportunity for knowledge sharing and skills enhancement.
The gathering also included stakeholders from various institutions, comprises of the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD), Ngwathe Local Municipality’s (LED Manager), as well as DARDEA officials.

The purpose of Imbizo is to create a platform for the exchange of ideas and to discuss challenges faced by women in agriculture, including market access, funding and networking opportunities. The engagement also sought to revive Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (WARD) structures across the Free State Province.

Pastor Paul Mazibuko led a candle-lighting and prayer session in honour of the lives of women and girls lost to gender-based violence and femicide in the Province. MEC Rockman, the Fezile Dabi District WARD Chairperson, female farmers and other stakeholders held candles and placards as they called for stronger action to protect women and girls from violence.

Fezile Dabi District WARD Chairperson - Me. Sefora Ntombela, gave an overview of WARD in the District. She alluded that women in agriculture are at war and this war must be fought by women who defy all odds by feeding the province and nation as whole.

She further highlighted Statistics which are issued by Stats SA that indicates Free State has three million population. According to Stats further revealed the shocking female/youth unemployment rate that stands at 37% percent.
These statistics paint a bleak picture about the women/youth of our country and province, said Me. Ntombela. She further indicated that WARD in Fezile Dabi District have more members than other District and these women are highly committed to ensure food security is sustainable in the province.

She concluded by applauded MEC Rockman for confronting these bleak statistics by continuing supporting all farmers during this difficult economic times.

In her address, MEC Rockman indicated that, during her ongoing engagements with farmers and producers across the Province, she had observed that many of the farming towns and agricultural spaces remain largely dominated by men. This prompted the Department to establish a dedicated platform for women in agriculture to voice their concerns, share their experiences and raise the challenges they face.

Today, it's a our fourth District imbizo, we kick-started in Mangaung Metro, Lejweleputswa and Xhariep District and the last one will be held at Thabo Mofutsanyana District next week. This District imbizo' s will be culminate into the Provincial Women Agricultural Imbizo which is anticipated to be hosted in Bloemfontein on the 13 - 14 October 2026.

She also noted that many women bearing a disproportionate burden of unemployment and remaining outside the labour force.

“Let us not destroy each other. Let us rise above that. Let us stand up for ourselves. Let us stop protecting the men in our own families who abuse us. And let the men also start calling out other men — their friends, their brothers, their cousins.

“Let us stop this thing of staying silent and enduring abuse. That silence is what kills us more than anything else.