KwaZulu-Natal small-scale farmers have been afforded an opportunity to grow into sustainable commercial businesses through a holistic integrated programme which will provide mechanization, infrastructure and sector expertise.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube led the provincial launch of the Integrated Agricultural Development Programme in Richmond on Thursday, 18 April 2024. A total of 1 128 tractors worth R17 million and other implements were allocated for these farmers. At a later stage these items will be distributed to all districts when champion MECs roll out the programme.
During the launch Premier Dube -Ncube, and MEC for Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD), Super Zuma, handed over ownership certificates to community projects.
Through this initiative the Provincial government aims to strengthen the ability of farming groups to maintain, take responsibility and care for their assets. Additional mentorship and mechanization training will be provided to community projects that are experiencing challenges in their farming activities to ensure self-sufficiency.
“Sustainable mechanization is critical in the development of value chain and food system and through this programme we are ensuring that even our small-scale farmers are given an opportunity to be competitive. They will be able to sufficiently cultivate land, be more efficient, effective and environmentally friendly in their operations.” said Premier Dube-Ncube
The MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Development Super Zuma underscored this point stating that it is for this reason that government reached a decision to donate assets and transfer ownership to farming groups within the Province.
“The integrated programme we are launching today is a solution to mechanization constraints, livestock and crop challenges confronting smallholder and community farming projects. In many areas you still find that farmers lack access to mechanization needed to increase productivity and crop yields” said MEC Zuma.
Premier Dube-Ncube emphasized that food security was a priority for the Province.
“We remain committed to opening the market for our farmers through our Radical Agrarian Sociao-Economic Transformation IRASET) Progreamme. We want our farmers to be game changers of the market. We committed during the State of the Province Address to assist farmers to meet demands of the province. We want them to supply major markets locally and eventually service cross borders markets. We are ready to assist them to meet any criteria. Today we have officially handed over a cheque and equipment to SyaJay Agricultural Services, a project we are most proud of,” said Dube-Ncube.
SyaJay Agricultural Services (Pty) Ltd, is a 100% black owned business and the two beneficiaries are graduates of the Owen Sithole College of Agriculture. The project was approved for a total funding of R5,6 million from the Agricultural Development Agency (ADA) and 10 hydroponic tunnels, a cooling and irrigation systems have been completed. A mobile pack house will be ready at the end of May.
Sya Ngcobo, one of the beneficiaries, said over and above becoming a sustainable business that is making profit, their vision was to create an information hub. He said they partly want to function as a demonstration site where small-holder farmers would sharpen their skills and gain crucial sectorial knowledge.
“In many instances you find that some farmers struggle once they have penetrated the market. Even though they may have good quality produce, vegetables do not sell because of incorrect packaging. We want to teach our farmers and give them an opportunity to come and see how it is done from the work we will be doing,” said Ngcobo.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Premier’s Acting Media Liaison Joseph Cubai, 060 534 4187
DARD Media Liaison Lethu Nxumalo, 073 031 9293
ISSUED BY KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT