The MEC for agriculture, rural development, land and environmental affairs, Brenda Moeketsi, officially handed over a combine harvester to benefit grain producers in the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality. The handover took place on Thursday, January 29.

The harvester is designed for efficient harvesting of mass quantities of grain, combining reaping, threshing and winnowing. Grains such as corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, rye, barley, sorghum, flax, sunflowers and canola can all be harvested with a head designed for that specific grain.

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The grain project has 61 beneficiaries across various communal areas of Seabe, Lefiso, Lefiswane, Senotlelo Pankop, Troya, Mmamethlake, Marapyane and Vaalbank. Their combined land measures 2018.7ha and was obtained from the tribal authorities through permission to occupy.

Addressing the farmers, Moeketsi encouraged them to work together and look after the combine harvester, ensure that it benefits all of them equally to maximise food production.

She also visited disaster-stricken farmers to deliver farming supplies, including seeds, seedlings, compost and Jojo tanks for Moilathlala Primary Co-operative, Kgopelang Primary Co-operative and Diphofa Vegetable Project.

On Thursday, January 22, Moeketsi led a site visit to assess the damage caused by the recent heavy rainfall at the Mandlangampisi, Madabukela, and Ogenyaneni farm projects. The aim was to evaluate the impact, engage with affected farmers, and co-ordinate government response.

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She handed over vegetable seedlings as short-term relief, enabling farmers to continue producing food. As long-term relief, the department will assist farmers once disaster fund relief becomes available. The visit aimed to understand the extent of damage and facilitate support.