LDARD Hosts Capacity-Building Workshop for Farmers on COIDA and OHSA Compliance

On 23 September, the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), through the Capricorn East Agro Ecological Zone office, hosted farmers from Damplaats in Ga-Dikgale for a targeted capacity-building workshop. The session focused on the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), equipping farmers with essential knowledge to maintain legally compliant and safe workplaces.

The workshop aimed to empower farmers to create farm environments that adhere to labour legislation while ensuring the safety and welfare of farmworkers. Participants received practical guidance on implementing workplace safety measures, managing occupational risks, and aligning operations with standard conditions of employment. This knowledge helps farmers reduce workplace accidents, protect their workforce, and maintain efficient farm operations.

By focusing on COIDA and OHSA compliance, LDARD strengthens protections for farmworkers and promotes a culture of safety and fairness within the agricultural sector. Farmers were provided with strategies to manage risks effectively, ensuring that farm operations remain both productive and legally compliant.

This initiative reflects LDARD’s commitment to building resilient farming communities. Equipping farmers with workplace-conducive practices contributes to long-term sector growth, improves worker welfare, and supports sustainable agricultural practices. Interventions like this ensure that farmworkers operate in safe conditions while enabling farmers to run efficient, compliant, and productive enterprises.

Through continuous education and support, LDARD is fostering a culture of compliance, safety, and sustainability across Limpopo’s agricultural sector, reinforcing the importance of legally sound and socially responsible farming practices.