by | Apr 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
MEC Meth inspects farms’ compliance to the COVID-19 lockdown regulations
MEC Nomakhosazana Meth emphasis the importance of social distancing as a means to curb the spread of COVID-19.
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 small-scale 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”
The MEC further joined workers as they were busy with fruit picking (harvesting).
by | Apr 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
Technical team assembled to deal with African armyworm outbreak
MEC Nomakhosazana Meth demonstrating the use of the backpack sprayers.
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.
The department responsible for sustainable food production recently distributed insecticides to farmers in Fairban Village in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality under the Amatole District. The insecticides were accompanied by backpack and boom sprayers mounted to three tractors to fumigate a farmland of more than 400 hectares. 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.
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.
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.
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.
She said in spite of the novel coronavirus 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 African 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.
She also encouraged farmers to report any cases of the worm so it can be attended to before it spirals out of control.
COVID-19
During her visit in Fairban Village, Meth also seized the moment to educate locals about the coronavirus. She visited two bereaved families who are scheduled to hold funeral services this month where she distributed hand sanitizers and also sensitized the mourners on how the virus was spread and how they could best curb the spread of the virus.
by Olwetu Batyi | Oct 8, 2019 | Uncategorized
In Chris Hani District to primarily “Keep Ears of the department to the Ground as we prepare for the review of the 5 year strategy.
This session, like others which have taken place and those to be convened is really about giving an opportunity to our people to contribute on the kind of department we should become for the next 5 years.
We will only consolidate the views of our stakeholders and people of the Eastern Cape when we convene the strategic planning, as opposed to elevating ourselves and plan for the people in their total exclusion. We will give feedback post the consolidation process (strategic planning) to all our people.
