The West Rand District Municipality together with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development handed out eight tractors and other farming implements to emerging farmers on the West Rand on 23 August at the Randfontein Fire Department, also known as Station 28.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Nandi Khoza, this is done in effort to ensure food security and to empower emerging farmers in the West Rand.
“Instead of people buying vegetables and fruits, we want them to start growing their own and selling them in the food markets.
“That way we empower people to have their own businesses and a sustainable income, while also boosting the economy.
“We as the Department are working towards banishing hunger in our communities and it starts with such initiatives.
“Without farmers we won’t have food,” says Khoza.
She adds that the tractors will serve the entire farming community in these municipalities and will not belong to only one farmer.
They will be kept at the Randfontein Local Municipality and a committee will be appointed to oversee the management thereof.
