EC is ready to feed nations – MEC METH
By Thozi kaManyisana
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Nomakhosazana Meth declared that the farmers in the Eastern Cape with the assistance of government are ready to “produce more crops to feed the nations.”
Speaking during the launch of the province’s flagship Cropping programme and the handover of the mechanisation centre at Ebden farm in Maclear, MEC said she was “encouraged by the resilience of the farmers.”
“We are here saying Phezukomkhono let’s plough,
We’re celebrating the growth of this sector. Eastern Cape is a leader in many Commodities not only in the country but in the globe.
“We celebrate the resilience of the farmers in tough times and we are ready to feed the nations,” she said.
She said the department has set aside R131 million to plant 32 000 ha, which is top from the 22 000ha planted last year whilst R70 million was invested in buying of the “state of the art” tractors, implements, trailers and a bakkie.
“We’re seeing the good work you are doing here hence we have decided to pilot the mechanisation centre here.
The idea is to have tractors and implements that belong to government as it pains to see government handing out tractors that are not benefiting all the farmers,” she said.
AmaMpondise King Luzuko Matiwane promised the MEC that “-your coming here is not in vain.
As the Kingdom we say land is economy and economy is land , this initiative is highly appreciated. “
Interim Secretary of the mechanisation centre, which will benefit Joe Gqabi District farmers, Dumisa Magidigidi described the investment as a “ real evidence of commercialisation of agriculture and taking farmers to the next level.
“I’m here to say thank you from the deepest of our hearts as farmers. We are happy that , this is piloted here, we do not take it for granted
“Buying a tractor isn’t a child’s play. This initiative will make a huge impact. I assure you, we will use the machinery effectively and other districts will come here for benchmarking and we will share with them our best practice.
We’ll make an impact not only in Elundini but in the country,” he said
After seeing the young Magidigidi ‘s work and passion ,MEC Meth said she was “very happy to see young people following the foot steps” of veteran farmers like Joe Mnyengo who own the farm where the launch was held. Yanga Dalasile of Dalasile Agri Park and Sinelizwi Fakade of Ukhanyo Farmer Development are young farmers that are strategic partners of the department , were also there to witness the launch of the cropping season.
She said agriculture “is a at the centre of growing the economy , so let’s treat it as business. No briefcase farmers will ever be supported by the department , we must work the land ”