Municipality
10 February 2006
The MEC for Agriculture, Mr Gugile Nkwinti, graced the event of handing over
23 power hoe machine tractors for 23 wards. These machines were given to the
emerging women farmers for their upliftment, and poverty alleviation. This
initiative was the joint venture between the Municipality and the Department of
Agriculture. The event took place at Ngqeleni - Mdumazulu Village at Nyandeni
Municipality.
The Department of Agriculture has embarked on a huge programme of service
delivery based on the six pegs policy in addressing poverty in rural areas,
which were previously disadvantaged, more especially the people from far flung
villages.
The community of Nyandeni Municipality were thrilled to receive the small
hoe machines like tractors, which were basically made for women farmers. The
national Minister of Agriculture, Ms Thoko Didiza, donated about 145 tractors
to OR Tambo District Municipality so as to eradicate poverty and encouraging
the communities to do things for themselves and not rely on government.
Previously, people were given food parcels by the Department of Social
Development and thereafter fold their arms, hence the department decided to
give them the tractor to assist above those food parcels.
The MEC for Agriculture, Mr Gugile Nkwinti, handed over 23 of those machines
to the villages around OR Tambo District. The machine tractors are mainly for
food security gardens. âThere will be no budget that will go back unspent, more
tractors will be provided to communities to plant in their gardens,â said
Nkwinti.
He made mention of returning 530 Animal Health Technicians, which were
previously used during the time of Ciskei government, âThe animals are dying
because of ticks and other diseases therefore there is a dire need for them and
the training will be provided to them,â he said.
The MEC said âgovernment provides the tractors therefore communities should
buy the seeds and not rely on government. What the government is planning to do
is make satellite services and train people on how to manage them and how to
use the tractors.â
Nkwinti urged the chiefs and the community to involve the youth in the
agricultural activities so as to encourage them in becoming commercial
farmers.
He also urged people who are not using their gardens to do humanity and give
them away to those that are willing to plant them.
Enquiries: Zoleka Dondolo
Cell: 083 566 0527
Tel: (040) 609 3402
For more information contact: Fikile Black
Manager Communications
Cell: 082 578 1437
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Eastern Cape Provincial
Government
10 February 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)
