High-ranking delegation meets struggling farmers
The deputy minister of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Daff), Gen Bheki Cele encouraged locals to use their private land for farming during an imbizo at KaMhlushwa Stadium last Thursday.
KAMHLUSHWA – Genl Bheki Cele spoke out against people starving and complaining that they cannot afford to buy food from supermarkets, when they have land in abundance at their homes at an agricultural imbizo for small-scale farmers.
“Our people should not starve. They should use the resources Mother Nature has provided. Food is not only the juicy tender steak, vegetables that can be planted in your every own yard make a very decent meal. Instead of planting grass around your house, plant veggies that will help you feed your family and save money you would have spent on those products in the shops,” he urged.
The purpose of the imbizo was to engage with drought-stricken farming communities and households in the municipality.
The provincial MEC for agriculture, rural development, land and environmental affairs, Mr Andries Gamede and the Nkomazi Local Municipality mayor, Cllr Thulisile Khoza, also attended the event, with the latter addressing the community on the municipality’s efforts regarding water provision.
The occasion provided locals with essential information on government’s strategy of prioritising 20 per cent of the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (Casp) to assist small-scale farmers with animal feed and water for livestock.
Casp was introduced and implemented to make provision for agricultural support to targeted beneficiaries of the land reform and agricultural reform programme.
In his address, Cele also highlighted the importance of harvesting rainwater and using water wisely.
“We should make it our responsibility to preserve and conserve water, and learn how best to do this. When it rains we need to put up tins or containers to catch the rainwater and store it in tanks for future use. Communities should also learn to save water, and not allow children to play with taps.”
Cele continued to explain to the farmers how they intend on upping the agricultural value chain, as prioritised second on the nine point plan announced by the president, Mr Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation Address last year.
Daff also touched on the Agri Parks programme,which is aimed at equipping farmers with the necessary skills and provide them with a platform to share their expertise, as well as their intervention initiatives for the improvement and sustainability of smallholder producers and household food security.
