A delegation from South Africa and the High Commissioner of South Africa met Mr. Dileep Sanghani, Hon'ble Agriculture Minister, Gujarat State on 28th September, 2011 at Gandhinagar.
Dr. N. C. Patel, Vice Chancellor of Junagadh Agricultural University welcomed all the dignitories.
While addressing the meeting, the executive mayor Mrs Florence Dzhombere re-iterated her commitment to the development of the people in line with the national mandate of the ANC led government. People development, job creation and sustainable livelihoods of the majority of South African citizen, particularly in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo province the executive major indicated, is the reason why the executive mayor felt that with her team, she should travel to India to commit her support for the project and explore further collaborative opportunities.
During the meeting, the High Commissioner appreciated the Minister of Agriculture and thanked him for his hospitality. He further appreciated India and particularly Gujarat State for taking leadership and excellence in the field of Agriculture. He indicated that the South African Government is committed to support all collaborative initiatives with India and also committed further support in this regard. Further opportunities need to be explored between the two countries, he said. The government would like to support collaboration between ‘people to people’, universities, training institutions, municipalities, and all form of public private partnership whose ultimate goal is poverty alleviation and sustainable rural development.
Mr. Dileep Sanghani, Hon'ble Agriculture Minister, while addressing and welcoming the delegation and the High Commissioner of South Africa, expressed his happiness that Vhembe District Municipality and University of Venda have taken a step forward to implement the MoU signed with the Junagadh Agricultural University by deputing nine officers to attend the training on "Cooperative Management" at JAU, Junagadh during Sept. 12-16, 2011. He complimented the Junagadh Agricultural University for organizing this important training programme successfully. He was extreemly happy to inform the delegation that the concept of Krushi Mahotsava launhed by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Gujarat State, Mr. Narendra Modi has been most fruitful one in putting the agricultural development on fast track. The month long mass scale agricultural awareness and transfer of technology campaign is being organized successfully since last seven years that benefited the rural masses, in general, and farmers, in particular. He was happy to know that the Gujarat Model of Krushi Mahotsava will be implemented now in South Africa. He further added that the visit of the political leaders, University faculties and officers from South Africa will a long way to benefit both the countries.