Plans are afoot for greening Mpumalanga, says agri MEC Busi Shiba

The MEC for agriculture, rural development, land and environmental affairs, Busi Shiba, announced that the department will receive R1.2b to enable it to deliver on the plans it has outlined in the 2022/23 policy and budget.Shiba said modern experts agree that agriculture is the backbone of a world economy, not only for food, but also for development.

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“We are resolute in taking all our resources to increase sustainable food production and to contribute to the growth of the economy of our province.”

The total amount allocated will be divided into nine programmes. Administration receives R206.9m, sustainable resource management will receive R59.9m, farmer support and development has R573.7m, veterinary services receives R152.7m, research and technology development services receive R60.2m, agricultural economics services get R15.6m, structured agricultural education and training has R33.2m, rural development coordination gets R28.8m and environmental affairs has R158m set aside.

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Shiba said as stated in the premier’s State of the Province Address in February, they will be implementing the Greening Mpumalanga Initiative along the agro-ecological zones of the province.  “This is in line with the agricultural and agro processing master plan and the Mpumalanga economic reconstruction and recovery plan.”

In this plan for greening Mpumalanga, she listed Gert Sibande District Municipality, Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality, Ehlanzeni District Municipality (City of Mbombela, Nkomazi and Bushbuckridge local municipalities) and Nkangala District Municipality (Dr JS Moroka and Thembisile Hani local municipalities).

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