Pineapple-harvest
MEC METH JOINS PINEAPPLE HARVEST
By Thozi kaManyisana
EASTERN Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC yesterday joined pineapple farmers in Ngqushwa during their first harvest since their started operating in 2018.
Yesterday’s harvest of 7ha at Cornfields which is expected to yield about 300 tons. The price per ton according to the consumer price index costs about R1500.
Speaking during the harvest, MEC Meth said Cornfields Farm was a true example of citizen activism as the farmers decided not to sit “idle” and wait for handouts.
DRDAR invested about R3, 8 million for pineapple production between 2018 and 2019 in Ngqushwa, on deliverables that include planting, provision of fencing material and payment of employees for bush clearing and farm work.
In this financial year an investment of R7 million has been allocated for pineapple production in Ngqushwa. The funds will be utilised for production inputs and labour.
DRDAR has appointed 20 people through the Expanded Public Works Programme to assist with clearing the fields in preparation for planting.
One of the owners, Mvuthuza Maputi (81) who grew up at Cornfields Farm said his dream of becoming a farmer had finally come true.
He spent a large number of his years as a farm worker. “I have been waiting for this moment where our governing is working hard to develop us.”
His daughter Noluvuyo Mali recalled how Maputi refused to leave the farm where his father and grandfather are buried.
“He convinced us to come and work this land when he made us do an application to use the land for development. Even though we were reluctant at first, we now see a brighter future.”
Mali said this first harvest was giving them hope as they have not seen any income since they started operating.
“We are thankful to the department for their support because if it was for them we would not be here,” said Mali.
DRDAR Acting District Director in the Amathole District Zoliswa Maleza said “workers in the pineapple farms here have a stake in the shares of Summerpride,” adding that she was a trustee who is representing the government in business transactions and that farmworkers are getting a share of the profits.
MANTUSINI DAIRY RESCUED
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Mcebisi Skhwatsha was accompanied by Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nomakhosazana Meth during the visit to Mantusini Dairy in Port St Johns.
“We have been here from time to time , saw the situation and we intervened by bringing feed and an investor.
“The DM has also been aware of your situation and he is here to see for himself and follow up on government’s investment here,” Meth said.
The project was initiated in 2005 and government has made investments through the departments of DRDAR, which spent R9 million and Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development spent R34 million.
Despite the endeavours by government, the situation became so bad at the dairy resulting in loss of livestock due to mismanagement
MEC Meth also introduced , the investment company Cream Top to DM Skhwatsha . The company has vowed to turn around the dire situation,
Cream Top’s representative Sihle Ntuli promised the community made of 450 beneficiaries: “we are here to turn around this situation.”
Local Chief Mthetheleli Nompandla, urged the people to be “united and work with government in changing your lives. We are happy and hopeful now that they have brought us investors,” said Chief Nompandla
After a walk about in the dairy , DM Skhwatsha expressed his disappointment.
” This is a very unfortunate situation with government investing so much money and the project collapse
” We are convinced and confident that we will save this dairy ,” the DM said
Responding to allegations of mismanagement of funds, the DM said: “anyone who steals from government drastic actions will be taken.
“It is important to ensure government funds are used for the intended purpose, that is to develop the people.”
Skhwatsha’s visit to Nqoko family in Ugie
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Mcebisi Skhwatsha went to the household of the emotionally distressed Nqoko family who were “forcefully removed” from a farm in Ugie.
The DM visited the family, now living at the Ekuthuleni Township in Elliot to hear their plight “so that there could be a way forward.”
Family member and human rights activists, George Nqoko told a sad story of her 84-year-old aunt was removed from the farm and how this led her to losing her livestock and leave behind the family graves.
“Its painful when I think about where we come from. The old lady was just told by the new farm owner: ‘get out , Iam not buying people but Iam buying the farm.’
“This was a sad moment for the family hence we approached the Department and we are hopeful that this visit will bear positive fruits.
” We need a farm because Gogo is battling to pay the lease where she’s keeping her cattle,” he added.
The elder’s grandson Lwandile decried how they “lost school years when grandma was chased out like a dog by the new owner .
” What is more worrisome to me is that I thought I’d pursue agriculture studies as I believe passionately that my office is the farm, where I work land. But now I am forced to follow a different career, which is against my will hence. Our plea is for government to give us a farm” said Lwandile.
An emotional touched DM Skhwatsha said: “it is heart breaking that even in democracy, our people are suffering on the farms. We will follow up this matter so that the old lady does not go to the grave with a sore heart.
” We will see the way forward and come back to report to you. You have said you want a farm, we’ve heard that but I can’t commit myself. The answer will come,” he said.
The DM’s scheduled meeting with the said farmer was postponed because the farmer was involved in an accident.