EXCO visits agricultural projects
Mayor visits agricultural food security projects in Mariannhill and Northdene
MEMBERS of the Executive Committee (EXCO) toured and inspected agricultural projects at the Mariannhill Monastery and Northdene Research and Development Centre.
The projects include the Edamame (Vegetable Soybean) Programme and aquaculture systems used to breed fish. Both programmes, which fall under Infrastructure Management and Socio-Economic Development Department (IMS), are aimed at ensuring food security and creating employment.
The visit took place ahead of the weekly EXCO meeting held at the Northdene Centre.
Mayor James Nxumalo said EXCO appreciated the work that has been done in the field of agriculture that benefit communities in terms of poverty alleviation and job creation.
“We want to expand these programmes to various other Wards in eThekwini especially in rural areas and townships. We know that some of these programmes, including fish farming, are already operating successfully in a number of areas. As EXCO we have committed ourselves to visit programmes like these at least once a month to have first hand information on what is happening on the ground,” Nxumalo said.
The Edamame programme is based at the Mariannhill Monastery and has recently been leased by the city through the Economic Development Unit. The programme is aimed at establishing a research and processing site that will be the national headquarters for vegetable Soybeans in South Africa.
The IMS Department is currently involved in the rollout of food gardens into rural areas of eThekwini.
Linked to this is the provision of fish, specifically Mozambique tilapia, as an additional food source. There are different aquaculture systems that have been designed and are being tested at the Northdene Hub. There is a basic recirculating plastic lined pond, a six tank system that can be Construction of the rural ponds is being completed at five sites. There are two on the banks of Inanda Dam, one in Umbumbulu, KwaNdengezi and KwaDabeka used when minimal space is available and a concrete based tank system for the grow out of fish, which is also referred to as a commercial system.
