by Olwetu Batyi | Oct 25, 2021 | Uncategorized
MEC awards farmers
By Thozi kaManyisana
Nokwanda Booi never expected to walk away with a top prize when she entered the Mbhashe Municipality Ram Competition which is sponsored by the municipality, the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform and private sector partners.
Today, the 49-year-old woman farmer was awarded by DRDAR MEC Nonkqubela Pieters with a superior quality Dohne Merino Ram, a trophy, animal feed and medication after she clichéd top honours at the competition. Being the only woman in the male dominated competition did not deter Booi from entering the competition.
“It was my first time entering the competition and I didn’t expect to win – let alone walking away with a trophy among men. Being involved in sheep farming has changed my life a lot and I’m able to send my children to school and provide for them,” said Booi who started farming in 2016.
The annual competition, which is supported by DRDAR, Mbhashe Local Municipality and private sector partners AfriVet, Zoetis, Talitha, BKB, Umtiza, was initiated by the farmers to encourage one another to buy high quality breed rams.
MEC Pieters said: “These farmers know the importance of having quality rams to improve their flock and we commend them for that – others should follow suit and government will assist them.”
“We are encouraging you to continue with what you are doing,” she said.
Mayor Samkelo Janda thanked the MEC for gracing the event, adding that the Municipality was “working together with the department in livestock development programme.
“What is encouraging about our farmers here is that they don’t wait for government but they buy their own rams. This competition is encouraging other farmers to invest in quality rams instead of waiting for government. The quality rams you see here are an initiative of farmers and they are here to showcase them.
“We want agricultural activities to take a centre stage in our economic development as this Municipality,” he said.
Chairperson of the Mbhashe Farmers Association Phillip Qokweni said the relationship between DRDAR and Municipality is commendable and “we would be ungrateful people if we don’t mention that because it taking us to higher levels. “
He said the cropping programme where DRDAR is assisting farmers to plant maize was also assisting with feed for the sheep.
Other winners who received Dohne Merino rams from the MEC included Buyile Phukuza in the lamb category, Zukile Mpukane in the Merino category, Mthobeli Zokufa in Mutton Merino category as well as Khulasande Holoshe who came 2nd in Dohne Merino category won by Booi.
Two more Dohne Merino rams will be given to cooperatives that will be chosen by DRDAR Mbhashe officials.
MEC Pieters also used the event to pay tribute to the late Dutywa-based businessman, Mthetheleli Ngumbela describing him as a national builder who “so passi
by Olwetu Batyi | Oct 21, 2021 | Uncategorized
MEC Pieters boosts Amahlathi farmers
By Thozi kaManyisana
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nonkqubela Pieters handed over production inputs, feed, irrigation material, chicks and piglets to excited farmers in the Amahlathi Local Municipality.
The MEC handed over 300 broiler chicks and 100 bags of broiler feed to Nqobindlala Poultry Project from Masincedane Village in Keiskammahoek, 90 bags of pig feed to Gayika Traditional Authority in Mkhubiso A/A in Keiskammahoek, 10 piglets and 30 bags of feed to Ngqaram Co-op of Kubusi Village in Stutterheim whilst Lang Draai farm from Carthcart 3 bags lurcene seeds and 13 bags of fertilizers
An irrigation equipment as well as 13 bags of maize, 10 bags of Lurcene and 10 bags of grass seeds were handover to the Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme.
Livestock farmers, who received livestock in Amahlathi Local Municipality from DRDAR this year were also honored at the event.
These farmers included Flat Field farm who received 10 Bonsmara heifers and its bull and Olive Groove farm that received two South Devon bulls both from Carthcart as well as Impangele Farm from Bolo in Stutterheim that received a Bonsmara bull.
Speaking during the handover event held at the Mkhubiso hall, MEC said the farmers were “very important in the society because as producers they support an important basic need like food security . When everyone has a plate of food they thank a farmer”
“I want to say to the youth – as government creates an enabling environment for your to actively participate in development in your own area . Grab the opportunity and change your lives. Government is here to assist you.
“Agriculture is business. No matter how small you produce, treat it like business,” she said.
She pleaded with the community to work the land, adding that “no garden should look like a grazing land. “
Farmer and religious leader Siviwe Ngam declared that: “today is the transformation of mass destruction in our minds into tools of mass production.”
“Let’s build the nation together so that our youth can follow us,” he added.
Giving message of support, community leader Mxolisi Venkile said the MEC’s visit to our area “ which is rich and fertile, will give us power to produce more .”
“We cannot live without agricultural activities because food security is very important. We are urging people to start working their household gardens and working together with government we’ll achieve more,” said Venkile.
Chairperson of farmers’ association Nolisti Ngcukana who received 300 chicks said the support given by DRDAR is “very good.”
“I have been able built a brick house because of the support we received from the department since 2007. Those who have not yet seen the value of agriculture, they should join us,” said Ngcukana revealing that she was supported with a poultry structure by DRDAR with a capacity for 300 chicks.
The beneficiaries praise the Department for the “excellent support we are getting, the support from your officials is commendable.”
“We take our hats off for the officials ,” said Thembekile Jonas of Ngqaram Co-op that received 10 piglets and 30 bags of feed.
by Olwetu Batyi | Oct 21, 2021 | Uncategorized
Massive drive to create jobs
By Thozi kaManyisana
The government of the Eastern Cape is on a massive job creation drive by ensuring that agricultural projects are supported to become economically viable through creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
This was said by Premier Oscar Mabuyane who joined the Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nonkqubela Pieters during a pineapple harvest at Tarfield farm in Ngqushwa where she also handed over two tractors to pineapple farmers.
“We want to have a massive job creation , ensure that we are not creating seasonal jobs but fulltime jobs through value addition. The government is creating a conducive environment for economic growth hence we are making opportunities available for businesses to invest. This pineapple production programme is doing exactly that,’’ said Mabuyane.
DRDAR has invested about R2,2 million since the 2019/20 financial year for fencing, production inputs, a tractor and fuel. The invested made by the department translated to 69 temporary jobs, while a further 10 are employed on a permanent basis.
He said DRDAR has facilitated a market for the farmers as the harvest from these farms is sold to Summerpride Foods through an off-take agreement that ensures that the farmers have an established market.
In their first harvest the farm recorded a yield of 1 500 tons while in 2020 they harvested 2300 tons. In this year’s harvest, they are hoping for a yield of 3 000 tons.
“This is rural development at its best and I am excited to see the progress we are making in reviving programmes that were successful during the previous government.
“We need to attract investors to projects such as these. I am happy about the commitment and dedication shown by the pineapple farmers hence we need to multiply investment to these projects .
He said government has invested about R20m to at least six pineapple farms in Peddie where 182 hectares of land is currently under production and “working together with our partners, we will increase hectorage in pursuit of economic growth.”
“The baseline of total land under production for Pineapple in the province is 7 800 ha. Through the implementation of the Agriculture for Growth and Employment Programme, we will increase the land under production to 10 300 ha. This will lead to an increase in the baseline for jobs in pineapple production from 8 000 to 10609 and to an economic growth baseline of R1,45 billion,” Premier Mabuyane.
Founding member and supervisor at Tarfield farm Mlungiseleli Bala said they were “reaping good fruits” from the investment in the pineapple industry compared to when they use to plough maize.
“The pineapple is drought-resistant and we are now harvesting good yields despite the dry conditions. This development has changed people’s lives through job creation and ownership of the business,” Bala said.
Bala used to work for a pineapple-producing farm owned by the former Ciskei government’s development agency Ulimocor.
Chairperson of Tarfield Farm Zondiwe Maseti could not contain her joy about the revival of pineapple production in the Ngqushwa area.
“We had nothing when we started. It was out of love but government has elevated us to greater heights. When government says ‘get up, do something for yourself and aid will find you along the way’ is not an ignorant statement. We have seen that through our experience,” she said.
Summerpride fruit manager Pierre Tilnely said they were exporting the pineapple from the Ngqushwa farms to South America, Russia and Europe and they were excited about the investment made by the government in the area as it guarantees sustainability.
He said worldwide there was a massive demand for more pineapple fruit and the fruit from the Ngqushwa farmers was what the market needs.
by Olwetu Batyi | Oct 15, 2021 | Uncategorized
Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC, Nonkqubela Pieters and local farmer, Mr Mveleli Mhlonitshwa, show the maize seed to be planted in many mealie fields and grain producing farms in the Eastern Cape as part of the cropping programme during the official launch in the Upper Tabase Village. During the launch Pieters announced that the department is investing R79. 3 million in maize production covering 26 198 hectares of land in OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Joe Gqabi and Chris Hani District with R42. 3 million of this money is invested in production inputs for farmers for maize production on 13 633 Ha, R36.8 million invested in mechanisation for farmers for production on 10 021 Ha, R37.6 million allocated for partnership with farmers, AfroSaint Business Consultants, Dalasile AgriPark, Nodayimani Investments and Luleka Mbete Investments, SAGRA, Ukhanyo Farmer Development, Wiphold to produce maize to be sold through off-take agreements.
by Olwetu Batyi | Oct 7, 2021 | Uncategorized
Peddie Youth use R350 Covid-19 Relief grant for a lifetime investment
By Thozi kaManyisana
While most young people at Nobumba Village in Peddie used the Covid-19 Relief grant buying “unnecessary items”, five young people from the village decided to start a poultry project using the R350 grants.
The five cousins sad they decided, “not to waste the money” they received from government but put it in “good use” because four of them had lost jobs due to Covid-19 and “we wanted to put food on top of the table.”
This inspiring story was revealed when the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nonkqubela Pieters visited the project to” officially handover a plucker machine, water tanks, 100 broiler chicks and 4 bags of broiler feed.
“Our vision was to get up and do something for ourselves after losing jobs and we used the R350 grants to start a poultry project so that we can sustain our families. As young people, we saw it fit to be involved in the agriculture sector and poultry was our first choice,” said the Chairperson of Bayeni Poultry Co-op Phumlisa Ngabase (26) who lost her job due Covid-19.
Ngabase who is the only female in the group said in March last year, they made bricks with soil and built a structure to accommodate their chickens.
She said they approached DRDAR to get guidance and assistance on how to initiate and manage a sustainable poultry business.
“DRDAR willingly assisted us by providing training and we are constantly in touch with our extension officer for advice.
“We are very grateful about the assistance we have received from the department because it has minimised our challenges and we are starting to see profits,” she said.
In the 2021/21 financial year, the project received five bags of feed and 50 day-old chicks from DRDAR and for Ngabase that was a “great relief because feed and chicks are expensive .”
“The water tank has assisted us a lot because we use to go to the nearby Woodlands village at R80 per 200 litres and now that we have the tank, the expenses are lower and our profits are multiplying,” she said jubilantly, adding that they were selling their broiler chickens in surrounding villages and in Grahamstown.
During the event, the MEC handed over another 400 chicks and 15 bags of feed, 2400 various vegetable seedlings, 10 wheelbarrows, 20 bags of piggery feed, garden tools and a plucker machine to 17 other youth projects from the Peddie area and was elated about the level of youth commitment in agriculture.
Talking about the Bayeni project, the MEC said; “These youngsters have done a commendable and noble thing because others see these R350 Covid-19 grants as entertainment vouchers . You have changed the R350 monthly grants into a lifetime investment and I will use you as an example whenever I go so that others can follow suit.”
“ As the youth of Peddie you have made me proud because you are not sitting idle but you have realised that there’s life and wealth in agriculture.
You have really grabbed government opportunities with both hands and we are committed to work with you, “she added.
by Olwetu Batyi | Oct 6, 2021 | Uncategorized
Government boosts Ngqatyana woolgrowers
Intergovernmental efforts between the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform and Mbhashe Local Municipality have catapulted Ngqatyana woolgrowers to a commercial level with a fully-fledged sheep shearing shed.
The R600 000-worth shed was built by the local authority in the 2020/21 fiscal year for 35-member association of Ngqatyana Wool Growers Association who had been shearing their sheep on informal structures.
To professionalise the farmers, DRDAR supported the Ngqatyana woolgrowers with shearing equipment worth R103 000. The equipment includes a wool compressor, baling machine, trolleys, sorter, shears, tables and shearers.
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nonkqubela Pieters handed over the equipment to the woolgrowers for use on Tuesday [October 5] in Ngqatyana Village.
Pieters said the quantity of wool the farmers produced each season proved that with a touch of professional equipment they can produce world-class wool.
“Nina nenza lento urhulumente ayifunayo –qala ngalonto encinane unayo, uncedo luzakufumana endleleni,” she said.
“We are operating with limited resources therefore working with other spheres of government and other stakeholders is critical. This fiscal year it is your turn to benefit from your government as it was the case to others in the past.
Today we are giving you a steppingstone to add value in your wool –shear, sort, compress and bale at your own convenience.
This equipment will propel you to a commercial level where you will participate meaningfully in the world’s economy because most of our wool is shipped abroad,” added Pieters.
The Eastern Cape is listed among the producers of top class wool in the world.
The shearing equipment complements another initiative by DRDAR where the provincial department aided the Mbhashe Local Municipality woolgrowers with Merino sheep rams under its Livestock Improvement Scheme meant to improve the genetics of livestock of developing farmers.
Merino sheep are known for the quality of their wool and woolgrowers of Ngqatyana were among the beneficiaries of the Livestock Improvement Scheme.
Chairperson of Ngqatyana Woolgrowers Association, Mpumelelo Bhalindaba said this was going to be their first shearing season since they received the rams.
“I can safely say from today onwards, we are professional business people in wool production. The days of shearing on muddy surfaces with substandard equipment that tend to lower the quality of our wool are over now,” said Bhalindaba.
Government is continuously intervening with relevant service delivery to improve the livelihood in Xhora .
“In the past shearing seasons we have made a profit of more than R4 million across the Mbhashe Local Municipality. With the equipment we have received, surely our bottom line as the Ngqatyana Woolgrowers Association will improve,” he said.
Ngqatyana Woolgrowers Association sell their wool to one of the country’s wool specialists –Cape Mohair and Wool (CMW).
Treasurer of the 14 women member association, No-Ayini Sikhundla added that the equipment they received would make the shearing process easier and faster.
DRDAR didn’t only support the woolgrowers with shearing equipment, but the department trained the beneficiaries on professional wool production and continues to render veterinary support to the farmers to help maintain their flock.
The department has also forged partnerships with private industry players in a bid to further develop the communal woolgrowers.
