by Olwetu Batyi | Mar 12, 2021 | atp1
120 agriculture graduates placed on farms
By Thozi kaManyisana
The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) DGG for Agriculture Leon Coetzee yesterday welcomed 72 of the 120 graduates that will be placed in the different agricultural enterprises and in the department over the next 24 months.
The induction ceremony for the Entrepreneurial Graduate Placement Programme took place at Bhisho Showgrounds today. The remaining 48 graduates will be inducted tomorrow as the department is sticking to Covid-19 regulations.
“We are appreciating that you have shown an interest in this sector as it needs more young people to be entrepreneurs. Always know that there are no short cuts in life, stick to doing the right thing in a correct way.
“When I arrived here with my degree, I thought I knew it all but that was a serious mistake I made and I was brought down on my knees quickly so ensure that you learn as much as you can,” Coetzee said.
DRDAR director of Technology Research Services Dr Awonke Sonandi who was one of the selectors and examiners of the graduates told them that they needed to be “very dynamic and learn more things that you do not know because entrepreneurship goes far beyond being a business and you will be given vast experience by your hosts.”
Reverend Luxolo Mantini while opening the ceremony told the graduates, who mostly come from poor backgrounds, that “you are the key for your family to make a better life. The glitz and the glamour you are going to see should not make forget where you come from.”
Director of structured agriculture education and training Bukiwe Madyibi said the graduates, who will be getting R7 000 stipends for a period of 24 months, should treat themselves as the “blessed ones” because there were many applications that were received from the other graduates.
“Let us not disappoint parents and the department that has chosen you because you were chosen among many hopeful and do not take that for granted,” she added.
Fort Hare University Agriculture Economics graduate Neliswa Mate from Peddie said the “programme came at a ripe because I had started my business for layers and this will assist me to grow further. The seed of entrepreneurship is already on the soil and I thank DRDAR for coming with this programme that will us the seed to grow.”
Xola Joboda said he was grateful to be part of the programme.
The graduates will be hosted by the Humansdorp Ko-op, Talitha Pharma, Summerpride, DICLA, Sunnyside, Eden Agri,Ukhanyo Farmer Dev, SM Livestock, Lisa Lightfoot, Shiloh and DRDAR’s Vet services
by Olwetu Batyi | Mar 8, 2021 | atp1
DRDAR MEC Nomakhosazana Meth together with Deputy Minister for Human Settlements Pam Tshwete yesterday handed over school shoes to pupils at Lower Bufumba Senior Primary School in Mbhashe Local Municipality.
by Olwetu Batyi | Mar 8, 2021 | atp1
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Nomakhosazana Meth handed over seedlings and fertilisers during the back to school campaign in Coffee Bay Primary School.
The MEC was accompanying deputy minister for human settlements, water and sanitation Pam Tshwete in a visit to the school.
“We want people to produce their own food,’” she said when she announced that 34 families were provided with cabbage, spinach, carrots and onion seedlings.
The MEC said in the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality, the department has supported 800 households through the Siyazondla Household Programme while 1 613 ha of land was with maize planted during this cropping.
On infrastructure, MEC Meth said 66,82 kilometre of fence was erected in the KSD while four new shearing sheds were provided to farmers.
“This region is rich with natural resources hence we are calling on people to go back to the fields,” she said.
The department also provided masks to school children.
by Olwetu Batyi | Mar 1, 2021 | atp1
Small stock hand over inspire farmers
Eastern Cape department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nomakhosazana Meth brought joy when she delivered 303 sheep and goats to Chris Hani District farmers.
MEC Meth accompanied by Enoch Mgijima Mayor Luleka Gubhula handed over the small stock to at least 18 projects that included projects led by youngsters Asiphe Maxhalwe and Ludwe Paliso.
Praising the department for bring “economic freedom ,” the jubilant Paliso of Paliso Agricultural Co-op that has 368 sheep from Lucwecweni village urged the MEC to “continue to assist young people because we want to grow and be strong in this industry.”
“I am hopeful that with assistance of the rams I received from the department, our profits and quality of wool will increase. Our future plans are to become export farmers and be able to create employment for other young people.
I am proud of the department because my flock has improved immensely after the support I got some years ago when DRDAR donated 6 rams ,” said 32-year old Paliso whose project received 10 Dohne Merino from yesterday’s handover.
Maxhalwe (29), who together with 9 other young people from Deberha village in Ngcobo owns 260 sheep said the investment from DRDAR “will ensure that will be able to feed our children and support our families who assisted with sheep as a start-up.”
“The assistance of 10 rams will not only change our livestock quality but will encourage more young people to see value of what we are doing. I am very glad and thankful today,” said the shy Maxhalwe.
Addressing the handover ceremony held in Queenstown, MEC Meth said she was “encouraged” to see young people being part of the recipients in a programme that seeks to improve the quality of the livestock.
“We want to encourage and motivate our farmers to work harder than you are currently doing. Gone are those days when livestock farmers are farming for prestige hence I am encouraged by the youth that actively participate in their development
By changing the quality of the livestock, we want the province not only to lead in the numbers of livestock but to ensure economic spin-offs. As government we are here to support, develop and create are conducive environment for the development of farming business enterprises,” she said.
Chris Hani District Woolgrowers Association chairperson Zolani Tsheko said he “appreciated being the witness of this wonderful economic injection to our farmers.:”
Tsheko said the supplying of quality rams and ewes has “already improved” the quality of the wool and the economic spinoffs are “inspiring.”
by Olwetu Batyi | Mar 1, 2021 | atp1
AGRI EC reaffirms stance to uplift emerging markets
THE Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform is reinforcing its plan of elevating emerging farmers to fully-fledged commercial producers by formally roping in experienced industry role players –a move which AGRI Eastern Cape said was long overdue.
The department which is tasked with driving a sustainable agricultural sector in the Eastern Cape Province held a farmers’ workshop at its Dohne Research Institute on Thursday where acting Head of Department (AHoD) Bongikhaya Dayimani said the province possessed a huge potential to be counted among the biggest contributors in the country’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP).
He however said the development of agricultural economy and its flourishment in the Eastern Cape needed an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach.
“Government alone cannot do it. We can pump millions of money in all the different projects without realizing the envisaged results if other role players, particularly those with expertise and experience don’t come to the party.
Everybody must be on board and with these kind of platforms we want to organize the farming community into one so we can speak in unison,” said Dayimani with nods of approval from the attendees.
Statistics show that the Eastern Cape agricultural sector contributes only 1.7 % to the provincial GDP with a 6% agricultural value Nationally. In the midst of it all, the province has 3.8 million ha under-developed land in the former homelands with most agricultural activities taking place in the Sarah Bartmaan region.
Now the department looks to help farmers replicate the methodology applied in the Sarah Bartmaan district in other districts –something which president for AGRI EC, Doug Stern said needed intellectual capital more than anything else.
“We cannot run away from the fact that others had better opportunities than others and it is that acknowledgement that has brought us where we are.
Time has come for us to work together towards a common goal of sustainable agriculture by making use of all the missed opportunities.
We have said this before and we are committing again to co-operate and intervene in the development of agriculture across all commodities,” said Stern.
He added that apart from contributing with intellectual capital to the course, a detailed framework that their partnership with the stakeholders will be anchored on is under development.
“Part of the contents of the framework includes constant involvement of the commercial farmers that supply emerging farmers with bulls and rams. There is a tendency of silliness among commercial farmers where they supply other farmers with bulls to help improve the genetics of their livestock without even checking the quality of what they are supplying.
Among other things, the framework will force the suppliers to constantly monitor the effectiveness of their supplies so that customers get the desired results that were guaranteed by the supplier,” he added.
Chairman for Eastern Cape Farmers’ Association, Xolile Ngqameni applauded the move saying it would bridge the gap that keeps widening between emerging farmers and the market.
The concerned parties are set to convene another meeting in March.
