15 November 2006
The MEC for the Department of Agriculture Mr Gugile Nkwinti handed over the
certificates to 24 farmers who attended the Maintenance Course for Tractors and
Farm Implements, which was conducted by Grain South Africa. The event took
place in Idutywa at TRC Hall. The department has embarked on one of the Green
Revolution six Peg Policy, the Human Resource Development which focuses on
developing and capacitating farmers so as to be productive in their farming
business. This is a pilot programme which emanated from government initiatives
to prevent the risks of poor farming, management and poor handling of these
tractors and equipments by farmers.
About 52 tractors at Mbashe, donated by the department and Mbashe
Municipality, and 12 wards received twelve tractors for 2006 from the
department and the drivers did not have skills for using tractors, although
they had tractors before. Hence the department decided to come up with the plan
of training not only in tractor maintenance, but also in Maize production.
Mr Mathemba Gcasamba, the Manager for the department in Mbashe mentioned
that there are more tractors, what they need now is plenty of land to plant.
Mrs Nowethu Sawule Mbewuleni who is the only woman trained for this course
said, "I am thrilled to receive this course because I know how to fix the
tractor and how it works and I will no longer wait for the driver during the
planting seasons; I will do it myself." Encouraging other women, she mentioned
that her husband is in the mines so she is not waiting for him to come home to
plant, so they should also follow her suit.
Mr Collin Emms from Grain South Africa who trained the farmers said, "It was
not that difficult to teach them due to their eagerness to learn and I think
their awareness and knowledge in Maintenance programme is achieved." He also
mentioned that he had a challenge in other aspects because they did not have
Mathematics.
The MEC for Agriculture, encouraging them said "It is up to you to have
excuses in poor production and the department is doing this for you to become
future commercial farmers. He also mentioned that the mandate of government is
to ensure that people from the rural areas are catered for and not abandoned
and that is where the heart of the department is.
Enquiries:
Zoleka Dondolo
Tel: (040) 609 3965
Cell: 082 771 7152
Fikile Black
Tel: (040) 609 3486
Cell: 082 578 1437
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Eastern Cape Provincial
Government
15 November 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
