Lactis : an agriculture and training facility on the Irene dairy farm

Abstract

In Africa and specifically in South Africa, agriculture is the sector from which most rural communities derive their financial income, it is also the source of food for both rural and urban communities. The greatest challenge that Agricultural development faces is the means by which agriculturalists gain their knowledge in terms of the practice of sustainable agriculture. There lacks a structure between farmers about improving their practices and situations in terms sustainable agriculture. Agriculture plays a crucial role in sustainable development and in hunger and poverty eradication (Department of Agriculture, 2002:3). A learning and didactic facility for aspiring farmers and agriculturalists is the main concept for the intervention on the Irene Dairy Farm. A place and space where aspiring entrepreneurs and agriculturalists will gain knowledge in their field. A practical learning process of agriculture and the efficient and responsible use of available resources on site and the surrounding area will form part of this learning experience.

In Afrika en spesifiek in Suid-Afrika, is landbou die sektor waaruit die meerederheid landelike gemeenskappe hulle finansi?le inkomste put, dit is ook die bron van voedsel vir beide landelike en stedelike gemeenskappe. Die grootste uitdaging in landbou ontwikkeling is die wyse waarop landboukundiges kennis bekom in volhoubare boerderymetodes. Daar bestaan 'n gebrek aan kennis onder boere oor die wyse waarop hulle volhoubare boerderypraktyke en omstandighede kan verbeter. Landbou speel 'n kritieke rol in volhoubare ontwikkeling en in hongersnood en armoede verligting (Departement van Landbou, 2002:3). 'n Opleiding en didaktiese fasiliteite is die hoof konsep vir die ingryping op die Irene Suiwel Plaas. 'n Plek of ruimte waar aspirerende entrepreneurs en landboukundiges kennis kan opdoen in hulle veld. 'n Praktiese leersproses in landbou en die effektiewe en verantwoordelike gebruik van bestaande natuurlike hulpbronne op die terrein en die omliggende gebied sal deel vorm van die leerervaring.