MEC re-commits DRDAR to work with private sector
By Thozi kaManyisana
Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nonkqubela Peiters used the official handover of a R5 million poultry development to commit her department to working with the private sector to improve lives.
The structure in Gobhoti village is a result of partnership between Rand Mutual Assurance and the Mineworkers Development Agency (MDA) to support a 10-member Bumbano Siyaqhuba Multi-purpose Farming Secondary Coop that is working with DICLA training and projects as mentors and marketers.
“This is a very good project and we re-commit ourselves to work with private sector so that we can change the lives of our people.
“On behalf of government, we are grateful that National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) through, the Mineworkers Development Agency ensured the responsibility of the development of communities by providing funding as part of poverty alleviation and food security.
She said government alone will not be able to create sustainable and vibrant rural development hence the need for private sector involvement.
Project leader Mhaga Sotyato assured the MEC and those present that the “project will never die but will benefit the generations after us.”
Sotyato said the project was founded in 2017 and has 11 primary coops under it which produce grains and vegetables.
“When we heard that we would be getting this facility, we did not believe it but now it is a reality and we are happy that we have already created 14 jobs,” Sotyato said.
He applauded the “good work and willingness to assist attitude” shown by the extension and advisory services officials that are working a DRDAR offices in Ngcobo.
MDA representative Luthando Brukwe said he was “happy about this project because it came at a difficult time of the economic meltdown. We were motivated to support this project because we saw that its entrepreneurship drive was very high.”
He said the aim of the project, which has a “lifetime” offtake agreement with DICLA was to have revenue of R100 000 a month in the next three months and that would mean creation of more jobs.
Brukwe said the workers of the project had undergone AgriSeta-accredited poultry management course, adding that the building of the structures was started in January and was finished by March with the “first egg being sold the following month.”
He said the structure, which is “scientifically designed based on the needs of the chickens” has a borehole linked to secondary storage to supply water, huge generator for electricity backup, cold storage and four structures that have the capacity to carry between 2 000 to 2 500 chickens.
The project already has 4 000 layer chickens in four structures but Brukwe says they are aiming to have 10 000 chickens by the end of this year.