The Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development took the One Home One Garden campaign to Isandlwana in Nquthu today, 3 May 2010.
MEC Lydia Johnson first encouraged people to work together with government in pushing back the frontiers of poverty. She said that the One Home One Garden campaign is intended to help diligent people who will make good use of the seeds that are provided by government. She warned against lazy people who take seeds but fail to use them and also those who take them for sale to other people.
Johnson urged the people of ward four at Isandlwana to start saving money by starting their own vegetable gardens instead of buying them from the retail stores. She encouraged them to be determined and try to obtain larger tracts of land for communal gardens where they can focus on cultivating one product.
Local chief Mazibuko thanked the department for providing seeds for his community and also requested that they be considered for the Nguni Cows and Goats project as the area has plenty of grazing space and trees which are good for goats.
In response to the chief's response, Johnson spoke on the importance of goat farming so that we can stop buying them elsewhere. She said the department is promoting goat farming in the province, because goats are important for many reason including cultural activities.
She again outlined the guidelines for the distributions of Nguni cows and encouraged people who want to benefit to ensure that they are part of livestock associations. She said livestock associations are important because they help in curbing stock theft which is also a problem in the area.
"This is an issue are working on together with the police because it's not only confined to this area but it's all over the country," said Johnson.
Community members were elated to receive seed packs for their gardens but requested to be assisted with fencing and inputs to help them prepare for the planting season.
For all your queries contact:
Ncumisa Mafunda
Tel: 033 343 8063
Fax: 033 343 8255
Cell: 079 515 7187
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
3 May 2010
Source: Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
(http://agriculture.kzntl.gov.za)
