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MPO press releases

25 January 2007

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY BERTUS DE JONGH, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE MILK PRODUCERS’ ORGANISATION

State gives R1 million for Institute’s mentorship programme

The Institute for Dairy Technology of the Milk Producers’ Organisation, received nearly R1 million from the National Department of Agriculture to mentor emerging dairy farmers. This was announced by Dr Nico Schutte, joint managing director of the Institute.

The project involves the mentoring of emerging dairy farmers by qualified mentors for a period of twelve months. The mentors must spend at least eight hours per week with each emerging dairy farmer. The mentoring incorporates all aspects of successful farming – from fodder flow planning and animal health to marketing. The aim of the mentorship programme is to ensure the long-term survival of the mentees.

“With this amount the Institute can intensively mentor 15 emerging dairy farmers for one year. Each mentor will be responsible for a maximum of four mentees,” Dr Schutte said. Eleven mentees have already been identified in Qwa-Qwa, Northwest and the Western Cape and the Institute is negotiating with them.

Mentors are experienced, retired and successful dairy farmers or extension officers who will work closely with the mentees, getting involved in their farming enterprise as if it were their own. “It is important that the mentors and mentees develop a relationship of mutual trust and therefore we will make a special effort to ensure that mentors and mentees get along”, Dr Schutte said.

The Institute still needs experienced mentors and interested parties are invited to contact Dr Schutte as 012 843 5600.

For further information contact Dr Nico Schutte at 012 843 5600

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