The beneficiaries of the Phezukomkhono Milling Coop have praised the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (Dardlea) for the assistance they have received.

According to them, this has helped sustain their project over the years. The 25-member coop has had support from the department since 2007, which included, among others, the construction of a shed, a silo, a weighbridge, paving, a milling machine, a tractor and implements.

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Besides maize, dry and soya beans, the coop also produces different cultivars of potatoes.

This came up during the the recent portfolio committee on agriculture’s visit at the coop as part of its oversight.

On the day the beneficiaries shared their achievements and concerns.

Dardlea HOD Mfana Chunda said he committed himself to follow up on concerns raised by the beneficiaries.
“This involves work allegedly abandoned by a service provider, which saw the farmers losing about 80 tonnes.
“The beneficiaries also requested assistance with upgrading their milling plant and an additional silo for them to meet the demand.”