Qumbu, Eastern Cape – September 6, 2023
Farmers in the OR Tambo District of the Eastern Cape are set to receive a significant boost in their agricultural endeavors with the announcement of a generous tractor donation. The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development, led by MEC Nonkqubela Pieters, has revealed plans to donate 21 tractors to local farmers, aimed at transforming farming from a mere hobby into a thriving business.
MEC Pieters made this announcement during an Imbizo event held at the AmaMpondomise Kingdom’s Upper Kroza Great Place in Qumbu, within the Mhlontlo Municipality. The gathering was graced by the presence of local chiefs, King Zwelozuko Matiwane, and Queen Siyonwabele.
The donation includes six brand-new tractors and 15 refurbished ones, showcasing the government’s commitment to supporting farmers at various stages of their agricultural journey. Additionally, a fully equipped tractor, complete with a three-row planter, heavy-duty disc, Nguni bull, 10 wheelbarrows, and seedlings, will be provided to further enhance agricultural productivity.
While this donation is a substantial step forward, it represents just one facet of the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development’s ongoing efforts to bolster the region’s agricultural sector. In the 2021/22 financial year, the department invested significantly in livestock improvement schemes, allocating R6 million for sheep and R8 million for cattle projects across the province.
Specifically, the Mhlontlo farming community received support in the form of 305 sheep and 55 cattle, valued at R3 million and R1.3 million, respectively. This initiative aims to enhance both wool and meat quality in the communal sheep and cattle rearing sector.
To improve wool sheep farming, the department constructed 10 shearing sheds between 2018 and 2022, investing R10.9 million. Infrastructure support continued with the repair and desilting of nine stock dams (R5,494,373), renovation of seven diptanks (R900,000), construction of four boreholes (R1,585,048), and the establishment of a feedlot in Mthozela (R2,193,624).
Crop production has also been a focus, with more than R20 million dedicated to supporting farmers on 4,578 hectares of land from 2018/19 to 2021/22. Notably, 94 kilometers of grain fields in 13 villages were fenced off at a cost of R4,093,866. Furthermore, 3,600 households received support through a household food security program, which provided inputs such as seedlings, fertilizer, and chemicals at a cost of R7.2 million over the past four years.
Prior to the tractor handover, a community Imbizo allowed local residents to voice their farming-related challenges. Key concerns raised included limited access to markets for farmers, a desire for agriculture to be made compulsory in schools, and the need for improved grain storage facilities.
In response, MEC Pieters pledged to assist farmers in accessing markets, particularly those involved in grain production. She also emphasized the department’s commitment to livestock branding and animal tracking to combat livestock theft, a significant issue in the province.
The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development has also taken essential services directly to rural communities, offering rabies vaccination, African horse sickness vaccination, and anti-and post-mortem services to residents.
As these initiatives continue to evolve, they signify a concerted effort to transform the OR Tambo District into a thriving hub of agricultural productivity, benefitting both local farmers and the broader community.
Article by Lemuel Mothlabane | info@ournews.co.za | 0631452504