by Olwetu Batyi | May 4, 2020 | atp1
THE Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform has swiftly reacted to the outbreak of the African armyworms that pose a threat on the province’s food security. On Thursday (April 9, 2020), the department responsible for sustainable food production distributed insecticides to farmers in Fairban Village in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality under the Amatole District. Backpack and boom sprayers mounted to three tractors to fumigate a farmland of more than 400 hectares accompanied the insecticides. The department has roped in youth to help in the eradication of the worms.
Armyworms attack leaves of plants mostly in the grass family, which include maize, lurcene, sorghum and pasture. Because of the deadly cyanide poison that is associated with the armyworms, livestock that has fed or feeds on pastures infested with the worms are at a risk of dying. Among the symptoms of an animal that has fed on contaminated feed are swelling, twitching, and bloated stomach that lead to death. So far, four animals’ goats and cattle- have died in the area as a result of the armyworms.
Mbi is a member of a co-op that produces and sells livestock feed across the Eastern Cape Province. “We had to act fast so we can save the feed we are growing at the farm. And the worms came at a time where were preparing to harvest,” she said.
One of the farmers who grow animal feed in Fairban Village, Nobuntu Mbi (54) said they found out about the armyworm in their field on March 31 and immediately reported to the department.
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth said her department has activated a technical team to arrest the outbreak. The known affected regions are Amatole and Alfred Nzo.M EC Nomakhosazana Meth combatting the deadly African armyworm.
She said in spite of the novel corona virus that has forced the country into a lockdown to help curb the spread of the virus, the country still needs to be fed and the Arican armyworm is a threat to food production.
“The country needs food even if we are on a lockdown”. It is for that reason that we had to make ways to deal with the situation before it worsens our problems. But we have a group of highly qualified experts to deal with such situations,” said Meth.
by Olwetu Batyi | May 4, 2020 | atp1
MEC METH VISITS MTHONGANA FARM
AMID the COVID-19 outbreak that has forced the country into a lockdown except for essential service providers, MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth continues to ensure business continuity in the agricultural sector takes place in compliance with regulations.
The province to enforce adherence of the lockdown regulations but most importantly to provide necessary s u p p o r t t o t h e f a r m s .
Agriculture was announced among the essential services when many sectors were forced to halt trade activities and close their doors as a measure to curb the spread
Since the announcement, Meth has taken an initiative to visit farms in the province to enforce adherence of the lockdown regulations but most importantly to provide necessary s u p p o r t t o t h e f a r m s.
The surprise visits began this month where Meth upon engaging with farm workers and managers distributes sanitizers and protective wear meant to flatten the spread of the virus.
Meth, accompanied by departmental officials and municipal leadership, visited the Ngqushwa- based Mthongana Farm that currently specializes in livestock and crop farming. Mthongana Farm operates within Ngqushwa Local Municipality under the Amatole District.
by Olwetu Batyi | May 4, 2020 | atp1
MEC METH INSPECTS WILLOW TREE CITRUS FARM’S COMPLIANCE WITH COVID-19 REGULATIONS
With the agricultural sector declared as an essential service, the MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform has taken a drive to visit commercial farms as well as smallscale farmer’s adherence and compliance to the COVID-19 regulations.
With regulations outlined and published in the amendment to the Disaster Management Act of 2002 that have been put in place as the South African government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, farms are required to comply whilst food production for food security is less affected. These regulations apply to the ways in which farms are expected to operate during the country’s lockdown period.
MEC was happy with the reports from workers confirming compliance by their employers. The report given by workers included the manner in which farm workers were transported and the precautions taken to ensure their health and safety during COVID-19.
MEC Meth said, “The manner in which this farm complies with COVID 19 regulations is impressive. They have appreciated the contribution of masks and sanitizers we have brought as addition from the department”
MEC’s donating PPE supplies to farm workers to help combat the spread of the virus.
The MEC further joined workers as they were busy with fruit picking (harvesting).
During the visit, Meth explained COVID-19 and how farm workers could protect themselves against the virus , reduce chances of contracting and spreading it.
by Olwetu Batyi | Feb 24, 2020 | atp1
THE Eastern Cape government Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform held its seventh Abattoir Rating Scheme Awards in Komani yesterday evening.
The provincial abattoir awards are held on an annual basis to recognise abattoirs that contribute to the food security and safety of the province.
Through regular inspections, abattoirs are monitored within the Meat Safety and standards, requirements and regulations to ensure safe meat is produced for human consumption.
This year’s awards are based on the 2018/19 abattoir audits and inspections that were carried out by the department’s veterinary public health practitioners and state veterinarians.
The Meat Safety Act provides measures to promote meat safety and the safety of animal products; to establish and maintain essential national standards in respect of abattoirs; to regulate the importation and exportation of meat; to establish meat safety schemes; and to provide for matters concerned therewith.
The abattoirs of different levels were rated on according their categories which included the Poultry High Throughput and Low Throughput, custom feeding and emerging entrepreneurs.
Each year the department honours best performing abattoirs with awards and most importantly help the aspiring and emerging business to surface and participate meaningfully to the economy and the province’s food security.
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth said the awards are a drive force to transform the industry that was previously dominated by certain racial groupings and men and also create a networking platform for businesses and government to work towards a common goal.
“This is not just another event where people dress smart and go out to enjoy themselves. But it is a platform of advancing and realizing our government’s dream of development and economic inclusiveness while at the same time keeping up with the acceptable standards of the industry. And we want to see transformation beyond racial boundaries where women are given the same recognition for their good work like men not just for gender balancing purposes,” said Meth.
The MEC added that said she was happy with the response of the youth, especially women, to the call of joining the farming for business and not prestige. But she also expressed her disappointment in the high level of noncompliance –something which she cited as an impediment to National Development Plan 2030.
“I have learnt with disappoint that many abattoirs had to close down after not meeting the acceptable standards of the industry; and we urge those businesses to make use of our district offices to see how they can be assisted to emerge above the challenges their experiencing. And part of these include the issue of not being halal compliant –a factor that is barrier to many businesses to see their produce crossing borders,” she said.
She said some of the impairments were attributed to municipality not fulfilling their mandate of providing basic services like water, sanitation and electricity. To this end, MEC Meth’s office is set to convene a meeting with municipalities and relevant stakeholders in the Chris Hani District Municipality to establish a report detailing what steps have the municipalities done to create a conducive ground for abattoirs to thrive and maximise.
Yesterday’s awards did not only see farmers trade their work suits for dapper outlooks but inspired young female farmers like Babalwa Gova of Ngangohlanga Farming and Orlando Madalane Hlanga Chicken and Livestock.
The two received awards in the category of emerging black entrepreneurs.
Gova (31) who runs a piggery and a crop farm in Matatiele said she started her business with just five pigs after realizing that no one in her area farmed for commercial purposes.
“I saw a gap and after my research I decided to start my business last year and it has been growing in leaps and bounds,” she said.
Gova added that the rigorous process which included regular visits by department’s veterinary public health practitioners and state veterinarians to her establishment in Mt Frere prepared her to trade on a national scale.
“Infrastructure is still a challenge, but after the visits by department’s veterinary public health practitioners and state veterinarians I managed to make some possible changes in my farm and I can safely say I am now sailing towards being one of the best female farmers in the country. The demand for my product grows every minute and we are grappling to meet it,” said Gova.
With the emergence and dominant use of modern technology and 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) in other industries, Dr Zolisa Madasa said it was important for farmers to keep up with the times or risk lagging behind as far as development is concerned.
“We can’t deny the advantages and disadvantages that have come with technology. But the big disadvantage is not taking advantage of it to maximize our businesses. Embracing technology won’t only help us to meet the industry’s standards but it’s going to assist us to trade internationally and be able to meet the demand. For instance we see other abattoirs slaughtering 20 cows a day while others only slaughter half of that number. And this is one of the advantages of technology, ” said Madasa.
Madasa is one of the many farmers who were aided by the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian while his business was in its stage of infancy.
” I am grateful for the help the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform continues to extend to our farmers and helping them to realise their dreams and I am one of those. I encourage other farmers to make use of the help the department extends to us, ” he said.
.Dr Gerhard Neethling Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA) commended the strides taken by government through the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform in the province to nurture emerging farmers and motivating those who are already in service amid the unfavourable economic climate that pose a threat to the province’s food security.
“Events like these make even those who were even thinking of giving up on farming to realise the importance of their work to our livelihoods and the economy of the province. We appreciate how the government has swiftly intervened in the drought crisis and the MEC (Nomakhosazana Meth) actually going out to see and listen to the farmers’ frustrations. It shows that we share the same vision and she has our best interests at heart, ” said Dr. Neethling.
by Olwetu Batyi | Feb 24, 2020 | atp1
Texas A&M University (TAMU) is keen on assisting the Eastern Cape government with community and youth development, this was revealed by leader of its delegation Professor Jack Elliot during their visit to department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform
Elliot, who is TAMU’s Regional Director for Africa, was speaking during the delegation’s first engagement with the MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) Nomakhosazana Meth whose department is hosting the Americans who are doing a “needs analysis” following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“We want to be engaged in improving production, economy and wellbeing of people here by working with the community through food security. We want people that will work with us so that we can improve things here,” added Elliot.
MEC Meth said she was “optimistic” the engagement with TAMU, which was sealed with an MoU in August 2015, “will get into implementation stages of the projects.”
“I look forward to the deliverables to our communities and we embrace this opportunity to work with you to realise the green Eastern Cape we want.
“Food security is achieved through working together and collaborations hence this initiative is important. We want to work with you to improve our expertise in dealing with farmer development because we want to commercialise our small scale and communal farmers.”
The delegation is in a week-long visit to the province where experts including professors in different fields of agriculture include animal and crop production, aquaculture, research and extension services as well as youth development are actively participating.
The delegation will visit a number of institutions like Fort Cox College, University of Fort Hare as well as Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (TARDI).
