Madoda Sambatha
IN a display of resilience and forward-thinking leadership, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has unveiled a transformative R1.293 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, positioning the agricultural sector as the province’s ultimate engine for job creation, rural revitalisation, and global market innovation.
While broader economic headwinds have challenged the region, the agricultural sector has emerged as a powerful beacon of hope. Defying national trends, the province’s agricultural sector miraculously added 10 000 new jobs between late 2025 and early 2026, swelling its workforce to 960 000.
Building on this momentum, DARD is targeting the creation of 1 500 direct job opportunities and 1 927 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) jobs in the new financial year.
At the heart of this agricultural renaissance is a massive R22.7 million investment in capacity building. The department is set to train 2 200 farmers and provide stipends for 120 unemployed agriculture graduates.
